Clueless Rookie

[DandyDon]

well....this is why i am so clueless...i am from KY and moved to MO BUT NOW moving to North Carolina soon. Its always been something i wanted to try out and now that i will live closer to the ocean i feel like i will have an opportunity to. So just tryin to learn how to learn and such.

I guess you could arrange to do a Resort or Introductory Course - or "Discover Scuba" there in North Carolina, but I'm afraid that'd be quarry diving, and I don't know that "Scenic" would be how that be described. I travel there to dive offshore, but it's serious diving, 120 feet deep, expensive, etc.

You could do the Intro on a visit to Florida - southern part anyway, and probably get in some calm ocean diving to a pretty reef with fishes and other animals. I've known known Vacation Divers who simply do one of these every year in the Caribbean, diving under Dive Master Care with rental gear, never realizing how dangerous that really is. That's how I started, but after I got hooked, took a few courses and spent a few thousand, I was happy to be doing it safer than them.

It is a real Sport - which it wouldn't be if you could get killed from it, but if you want to learn more, you came to a good place. Lots of good reading here... :approve_2

don

 

[Scubakevdm]

Ok....so its not so simple to do it the RIGHT way....is this going to be pretty expensive then? Definaltley if i get addicted huh.

Hey, well you know one of the many many things that Scubaboard is good for is diving well without unnecessary expense. There are quite a few people here that can lend you their wisdom to keep from making costly mistakes. Also, NC has the best wreck diving around, and there's plenty of top notch instruction available up there too. So, keep on doing what you're doing... asking questions, and learning. Spending some time and looking into scuba will pay off. It doesn't have to be very expensive to be good.

 

[vcobra]

Ok....so its not so simple to do it the RIGHT way....is this going to be pretty expensive then? Definaltley if i get addicted huh.

...especially if you get addicted... But seriously, find a good, honest instructor and ask about you equipment configuration before you buy stuff. That alone will save you some big bucks.

 

[herman]

If you are moving to NC then you DO NOT want the quickie course. We have some wonderful diving but it is not for the poorly trained. It can and will kill you, the ocean is not to be messed with. Wait until you get here and then find a good shop to get the training you need. If you are near the Raleigh area I can put you on a couple good shops but you will not get the "brief" course. A lack of respect for the dangers inherent in diving will get you and your dive buddy killed. It's a safe sport but only if you follow the rules. Around here you can expect to pay around $300 for open water (first level) classes. This includes everything except mask, fins, snorkle and the cost of your open water dives. These are typically done in a local quarry over 2 days, entry fee is $17 per day last time I looked.

 

[ckharlan66]

damn, I cant do the cool quote box...

Hit the reply button to do the quote.

 

[ckharlan66]

Ok....so its not so simple to do it the RIGHT way....is this going to be pretty expensive then? Definaltley if i get addicted huh.

Actually the class will probably be about the same. You will want to shop around for an instructor that will spend the most time covering the skills and not just rush you through the class to get the buck.

Have fun.

Chad

 

[DandyDon]

damn, I cant do the cool quote box...

Yeah you can. Hit the "Reply" button in the lower right corner of the panel you want to quote - rather than the "Post Reply" button in the lower left at the bottom of the thread.

don

 

[herman]

The only "discover scuba" courses I am aware of here are in pools only. They are a good way to check things out before shelling out the cash for a full blown course. The one's I am aware of will drop the $15 fee off the "open water" course if you decide to take the full course.

 

[doole]

The only "discover scuba" courses I am aware of here are in pools only. They are a good way to check things out before shelling out the cash for a full blown course. The one's I am aware of will drop the $15 fee off the "open water" course if you decide to take the full course.

Agreed - this is a point that was missed a bit. 'Discover Scuba' is not - and was never intended to be - learn scuba. Pretty good way to get an idea what it feels like before you jump in.

 

[Don Burke]

Ok....so its not so simple to do it the RIGHT way....is this going to be pretty expensive then? Definaltley if i get addicted huh.

As some have already said, the money is going to be about the same, fast or slow.

This is a very good time of year to start SCUBA lessons. You can knock out the classroom time, the book work, and the pool work and head for the ocean when it gets warmer. Since it's pretty cold right now, you won't be in a rush to blow though the course.

There are many good SCUBA shops in North Carolina. If you hook up with someone from NC and find a shop near you, a free intro in a pool may be available.