Clueless Rookie

[cdennyb]

Remember you don't have to dive the ocean. I've been diving for the better part of 26 years and I think I've been in the ocean about a dozen times! in the past 10 years. There's lots of fresh water (benefit-don't have to rinse your gear after a long day diving) and not a lot of currents (benefit- you don't bump into stuff as much since there's no surge) and granted the visibility isn't as great as the bahamas but what the hell, it's diving. Water's always cold or at least cool and since I started in a cheap dry suit I never really gave the colder water a second thought. I probably wouldn't know how to dive in a 3 mm shorty wet suit! LOL
look into some good education and a good instructor. In a few hours you could get a nice look at 30' of water. By that time, you'll be hooked!
good luck, think about the long run, be safe.
db

 

[pasley]

Welcome to SCUBA. As has already been pointed out, just going under the ocean surface a few feet and tanking a breath of compressed air and then ascending towards the surface a few feet with out exercising the proper methods could result in rupturing a lung, or worse. So SCUBA is not a here, listen to me for five minutes now lets go under.

PADI, NAUI, YMCA are all good agencies to train you (depending upon the instructor as all agencies have good ones and bad ones). A course could take as little as 2 weekends plus a Saturday, or as long as 16 weeks depending upon many factors. Cost will vary. My course was $145 plus boat for $80, rental equipment $40 and books $30 or a total of $295.00.

As for being expensive, wellll..... all things are relative. If you have a rich relative it is not too bad. A complete SCUBA rig including custom wetsuit (you can buy off the rack but a good fit is critical to keeping warm and women particularly have so many variables that custom is probably the best bet) and dive computer will run you $1,200 to $2,000 or more. A good set of Golf clubs will run you that or more too. But once you own your gear a dive is $4.00 for a tank of air if you beach dive. Boat dives will run more starting i my area of California at $80.00 and up. IF you have your own boat, that is no problem.

Now should you buy your gear? Wait until you are certified and have a few dives under you belt to see if you like it and to gain experience with different equipment. Shop around and come up with a realistic estimate of how often you will dive and the cost of owning Vs renting the gear. Don’t’ forget the equipment needs annual servicing (this is LIFE SUPPORT equipment so don’t skip the annual service) at a cost of $60-100 per year. So see if renting is the better option or if you will really be diving enough to make it worth while own. Also see if you will be a regular diver or a vacation warm water spot type. Flying with dive gear beyond your regulator and Computer could be a hassle.

Welcome to diving.

 

[vcobra]

Thanks for the help with the reply button, I couln't figure it out. Once again the simple solution evaded me.

 

[GrierHPharmD]

Where will you live in NC? I'm in the process of moving from Charlotte to Miami and can suggest some good resources in that area if you are interested.

 

[Michael Schlink]

Panthergirl- If you're not completely confused yet I would like to offer my opinion. 1) Wait until you're settled in your new place. 2) Go visit a couple dive shops near where you live 3) Sign up for a class that suits your time schedule. 4) Ask to meet with your instructor and make sure you feel comfortable with him/her 5) Ask for their credentials and experience. If you don't like them find someone else. 6) DO NOT buy any equipment other than your basic mask fins snorkel booties. After you complete you basic course THEN you can decide how much and what kind of diving you are interested and that will determine what and how much equipment you will need or want. I met my wife on a scuba trip to the Cayman Islands and we are both instructors we travel quite a bit and have been on lot's of dive trips. She is my "dive buddy". We think diving is great way to meet great people. After you find a dive shop you like, you might want to look at joining a local dive club. Good luck and feel free to P.M. me if youhave any questions-Dive Safe-Dive Alot-M

 

[doole]

Sounds like it needs to be on the hit list. Oh, well - get in line.

The marine life is very cool here. The tropical waters bring in a variety of fish. We’ve experienced sharks, rays, turtles, barracuda, sheep’s head, angel fish, grouper, sea bass, snapper, tuna, cobia, and many more. It really depends on where you dive and the time of year too. I would highly recommend diving the Carolinas. There are lots of crab species and various invertebrates out here too. OH yeah in the local waters there are killing shrimp in those dark waters. They will attack you. Hahaha

Come dive with us and find out for yourself. R