RonFrank
Contributor
One first step is to find some divers. This can be a dive club, an LDS, friends, Dive Yakers, a travel group that likes to get together and spend $$$, or some combination of all of the above.
I also believe that the best thing to do after completing OW is to take AOW. Funny how many folk think that OW is incomplete but somehow one should not take AOW right away? Take it right away. It will give you confidence, reinforce your OW skills, gain new skills, and get you in the water with an instructor for a few more dives. Don't worry about Deep, that is why an instructor is there to watch your back. The only downside is it cost $$$.
If you wait until you have deep dives, navigation dives etc. the class becomes useless, but you can not take rescue without it... Some folks even become resentful.
Another option is to take a guided (like drift) Dive. This is not quite the same as having your own instructor, but can be very reassuring if you stay close to the guide. In Boynton for example the guide is included in the price.
Your lucky to live close to some great water. I drive 400 miles routinely to dive (Blue Hole, NM). You can be in Ft. Lauderdale in the same time or less...
Have fun, and dive safe.....
I also believe that the best thing to do after completing OW is to take AOW. Funny how many folk think that OW is incomplete but somehow one should not take AOW right away? Take it right away. It will give you confidence, reinforce your OW skills, gain new skills, and get you in the water with an instructor for a few more dives. Don't worry about Deep, that is why an instructor is there to watch your back. The only downside is it cost $$$.
If you wait until you have deep dives, navigation dives etc. the class becomes useless, but you can not take rescue without it... Some folks even become resentful.
Another option is to take a guided (like drift) Dive. This is not quite the same as having your own instructor, but can be very reassuring if you stay close to the guide. In Boynton for example the guide is included in the price.
Your lucky to live close to some great water. I drive 400 miles routinely to dive (Blue Hole, NM). You can be in Ft. Lauderdale in the same time or less...
Have fun, and dive safe.....