completely new, and needs advice!

[tomhill92]

Hey,


Im new to scuba diving and I am going to sham el sheik this year. I am considering getting diving lessons before I go there, do you think this is a good idea? Also whats the chance of seeing sharks out there haha? I have never dived before and cant wait because it is always something i have wanted to do. Have you guys got any tips for a newbie to the sport?

Thanks in advance for your help it is appreciated, im sure I will think of more questions to ask you all

Tom

 

[nolatom]

Yeah, get lessons at home first, so you're not sitting in a classroom while over there on vacation. Finish your pool work and even the open water checkouts so you have the card.

I know nothing of that destination otherwise so can't help there.

General advice? Everything in the book is there for a reason, so follow the rules they teach you. Diving is safe and fun if you do that, and unsafe if you don't.

Welcome to the sport and good luck.

 

[Diver0001]

Hey,


Im new to scuba diving and I am going to sham el sheik this year. I am considering getting diving lessons before I go there, do you think this is a good idea?

Sure it is. What you could consider would be to do the theory and pool work where ever you live and do the final dives in the Ocean with a local instructor in Sharm el Sheik when you get there. Doing the initial stuff at home means you'll have more time to do fun stuff at your vacation destination.

Also whats the chance of seeing sharks out there haha?

It depends on the time of year you go. If you're there when the water is warm (ie, high-season) then yeah, I would be surprised if you don't see any sharks. Most of the ones you'll see will be small though (up to about 1.5m) unless you get lucky or go well off shore. Aside from the sharks there are thousands of other species in the Red Sea that will amaze you.

I have never dived before and cant wait because it is always something i have wanted to do. Have you guys got any tips for a newbie to the sport?

Be aware that even though standards are pretty much the same across the board (and even between different agencies) that there are vast variations in the quality of individual instructors. Do your homework, take your time choosing a course and find an instructor who really knows their stuff! A good start is 1/2 the battle.

R..

 

[tomhill92]

Thanks for the advice guys. I will be sure to get a few lessons in before I go awesome I really want to see some sharks ha! Also thinking of taking a go pro camera with me to capture some pictures and footage of my dives, are the go pros good for this and are you allowed to use them in the red sea, sounds silly but I know they dont allow gloves or knives there, so I thought I should check before I buy one.

Thaks again.

 

[hyrax]

Thanks for the advice guys. I will be sure to get a few lessons in before I go awesome I really want to see some sharks ha! Also thinking of taking a go pro camera with me to capture some pictures and footage of my dives, are the go pros good for this and are you allowed to use them in the red sea, sounds silly but I know they dont allow gloves or knives there, so I thought I should check before I buy one.

Thaks again.

As pointed out training on vacation is not always the most fun way to spend vacation. You should be able to get certified before your trip.

Taking a GoPro should not be a problem. Usually the rules you mentioned or to protect the marine environment. Go pr cameras are a great easy way to capture your dives.

 

[farsidefan1]

Out of Sharm your best bet for sharks is Jackson reef. In September we saw a huge school of hammerheads. Pretty spectacular. If on another red sea trip you go down to Elphinstone you have a very good chance of seeing oceanic white tips. Hopefully some of the regulars will chime in. It's been 6 years since I was there and my memory isn't all that great- especially given some medical issues I had as of late so listen to Crowley or Red Sea Shadow. PM them or search for their posts. They are very informative.

 

[rmh84]

Lucky you! Can I come along in your luggage?

You deifintely at least want to do the classroom/pool training here at home before you leave, though you can arrange to do your O/W dives to complete your certification there if you'd prefer. TRUST me, you don't want to waste a single dive on your trip mucking around with bouyancy or learning your gear.

 

[Imla]

Where are you traveling from?

Red sea is marvellous, but as the others here say, don't waste your vacation sitting in a classroom
Make sure you choose a reputable divecenters. A lot has happened with regards to staff in the late few years because of the revolution. A lot of foreign divestaff has left, and been replaced with locals. (Or not replaced at all...)
Personally I can recommend Red Sea Diving College. I also have friends who warmly recommend Colona Divers.

 

[tomhill92]

thanks for all the advice, im calling some local dive centers tomorrow to get a course booked for my ocean diver course! im setting of from England imla

i really do hope i see some sharks, but i will be more than happy with all the other marine life there is and the beautiful coral, the pictures i have seen make it look fantastic, and i know the pictures don't do it justice!