Did my first two dives (DSD) last week!

[suddha]

I was in the Riviera Maya area of Mexico last week and took a pool scuba demo and then the PADI Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) course. We did a classroom and pool session and then out to the reef (Paradise) off of Cozumel for two OW dives to about 13m. Spectacular! I am smitten.

I had decided that on this vacation, I was not going to go for my certification due to the time requirements (two days away from my wife), but when this DSD opportunity came up, it seemed perfect. What a great way to try diving. I was extremely comfortable breathing underwater, clearing the mask, finding a lost regulator, etc. I think I will go into the OW certification classes now with great confidence having this experience behind me. I know there are some reservations about the DSD course, since you're taking complete novices diving with only a couple of hours of training. But in my case, it was the perfect thing.

 

[Saltair]

Glad you had a positive experience. Now find yourself a good OW class and get some proper training so you can enjoy the sport safely, and start diving.

 

[bvmjethead]

I was in the Riviera Maya area of Mexico SNIP

I had a very similar experience while on my honeymoon.

I too am smitten.

 

[3-Ring Octopus]

Awww...THAT sort of feeling is the reason I like being around student divers!! (When they aren't trying to kill you or themselves, they're like cute little splashy puppy-dogs...all excited and bouncy and wide-eyed...lol ) The "WOW" factor of their first times out.

As has been said...now it's time to sign up for that OW class! (it'll probably be a couple of months though...I grew up in the Great Lakes region, and if I remember correctly, most of it should be frozen and under snow right about now... ).

Have fun, good luck, and safe diving!

Cheers,
Austin

 

[undefined]

Congratulations. Sign up for that OW class (and AOW, and Nitrox, and ....). Once you get bit by the dive bug it never goes away...

 

[k4man]

...I think I will go into the OW certification classes now with great confidence having this experience behind me...

congrats and welcome to ScubaBoard!! GO SUDDHA!!!!

 

[suddha]

I am wondering when I should do my OW certification now.... Since it is the middle of winter in Minnesota, it will be several months before I can get any OW time. Would it be better to wait and do the pool/classroom part closer to the OW portion so it all hangs together better? Or should I do my pool and classroom classes now, since I am fresh off of my diving experience? I guess there are pros and cons to both approaches.

 

[RedWingDiver]

I am wondering when I should do my OW certification now.... Since it is the middle of winter in Minnesota, it will be several months before I can get any OW time. Would it be better to wait and do the pool/classroom part closer to the OW portion so it all hangs together better? Or should I do my pool and classroom classes now, since I am fresh off of my diving experience? I guess there are pros and cons to both approaches.

Congrats on deciding to go forward! I actually did my pool/classroom part almost 2 months before I was able to fit in the OW certification in my schedule. My instructor was also very gracious in that until I could go do my OW, he'd let me stop in for a pool session to keep my skills somewhat current. You might want to ask your dive shop if they would do something similar.

Now, I'm fairly sure that because I enjoyed it so much, I wouldn't have forgotten what I learned in the classroom, but I certainly wasn't going to turn down free pool time!

 

[REII]

Congrats and good decision to go forward and get certified. My advice, get certified and plan your next spring / summer dive vacation!

TOM

 

[MichiganDiver]

Congratulations! Now get moving on certification while the euphoria is still fresh!