Diving North Carolina

[lsorenson]

"Easy" is not necessarily what determines my dive destination! I plan to take this sport a long way in my life as I'm 16 currently. About the courses, we dont have unlimited resources, and I can say straight up that it is unrealistic to suggest taking the boat, nitrox, deep, wreck, and AOW courses due to obvious reasons (time (the trip would be end of June) money, etc.), we might consider doing AOW, and then the deep specialty in NC and MAYBE nitrox, but suggesting to practically go from newbie to master diver in a few months is out of the question

Once again thanks for the all the suggestions. The pony bottle is certainly something I will get onto and maybe ask an instructor/experienced buddy to show us the ropes beforehand, and from what I got a 30-40cf seems to be the way to go. One question on the pony though, does that mean you need an extra first and second stage as well then??

As you can observe, I am learning a ton through these helpful suggestions, thanks to all who commented!!

Mndiv, yes, a pony does require another first and second stage... IF you decide to get them and funds are limited, only get one and share if the need arises. Truthfully, I would not expect the two of you to be doing alot of deep diving and if that is the case omit the pony... Revisit the pony after you get your legs under you and start doing deeper dives. No need to go from a beginners licenses and jump into a NASCAR...!

Get your experience and some dives under your belt and then push for the AOW however, Nitrox is a good course to get when you can due to pluses of longer dives and shorter surface intervals but even that can wait.

I would work on your skills e.g. deploying your SMB from 20' and then try it at 40' so when the day comes and you find yourself in a drift, you will at least know what to do. Never dive in the ocean without that SMB and whistle! If your going to take any classes, take something like wreck or deep depending on the depth of the ships you intend to dive. If they are in the 50' range then perhaps the wreck class would benefit you the most at this point. If deeper, perhaps the deep would be more appropriate than the wreck.

Another point, check utube and see if there is any footage on the wrecks your looking to dive...

Your right, Scuba is a very expensive sport and at 16, you would do the old mad "proud" by being aware of it... Besides, your going to want to save alot of money for that drysuit so you can catch some of them wrecks over in the Great Lakes...

Be safe and come and enjoy the diving here in NC as it can be pretty good. Just keep in mind and has been said repeatedly, the weather can get a little dicey here and just be prepared for it. In June, a 3/2 or a full 3mm wet suit should be fine but diving closer to shore is colder than diving 40 miles out where the Gulf Jet Stream has a warming effect.

Best to ya, lee

edited to add this... Others might disagree but IF I find myself running low on air and have a pony, I will switch to the pony before I need to just incase I run into a problem with the pony itself. I want plenty of air to get me to the surface safely and also check your reg on the pony by giving it a couple of breaths before you jump in... Do not use the pony to extend a dive or as a crutch. You better be heading to the surface way before you need the pony...!

 

[lsorenson]

Why all the suggestions for pony bottles? Poor gas managment a common problem when diving those depthes or that area, i dont understand.

"Poor gas management" For some, its true for others like myself, should be a requirement when diving the Meg Ledges. Looking for Teeth is like treasure hunts and I pretty much dive them alone as well as others. If I am diving really deep, then I want one for all the reasons I don't think of!

lee

 

[Colliam7]

I can say straight up that it is unrealistic to suggest taking the boat, nitrox, deep, wreck, and AOW courses due to obvious reasons (time (the trip would be end of June) money, etc.), we might consider doing AOW, and then the deep specialty in NC and MAYBE nitrox, but suggesting to practically go from newbie to master diver in a few months is out of the question

The useful course to take before you come is AOW. That isn't something you want to try to do while on a one week vacation to NC. Is it essential? No. But, some charter operators like to see it, and if you can do it before coming, you diving opportunities while here might be made a bit more flexible. Nitrox is also something to do before you come. It is relatively inexpensive, it is diving-optional (usually taught as a half-day - or two evening - course), you can easily complete it between now and June, and it gives you the credential to use enriched air which may be useful if you are doing multiple days of diving. Is it essential? No? Beyond that, I think people were suggesting what you could do, if interested, while in the area. I mentioned Deep simply because you will be in an area where you could do an ocean-based Deep specialty, and simultaneously enjoy diving some of the deeper wrecks here in NC. But, I dove many NC wrecks in the 110-130' ft range before ever taking the Deep specialty (and I took that primarily as a pre-requisite for tec). So, it is not critical, nor would I suggest you tie up vacation time doing multiple courses.

from what I got a 30-40cf seems to be the way to go.

In terms of versatility (to be also used as something besides a pony), and even resale value for that matter, yes - a 30 or a 40 makes the most sense. But, as was mentioned in an earlier post, you can possibly rent one while you are here, if buying one doesn't make sense for you right now.

One question on the pony though, does that mean you need an extra first and second stage as well then??

Yes, you need an extra 1st and 2nd stage.

 

[Garth]

I really think advanced nitrox/deco procedures with recreational trimix would be helpful along with full cave certification with CCR MOD1. You could double up your skills with the ancillary certifications in GUE and UTD.
Then again you could just come and dive because none of that will help you get your gear on the boat. Have fun here, get your nitrox cert and be safe. If the seas are ruff it's okay to thumb the dive!

 

[RonFrank]

I consider NC advanced diving, or it has that potential on almost any dive. Heck the rip tides have claimed lives of swimmers on the outer banks for as long as anyone can remember.

I honestly think the 25" reefs at Key Largo are what you want with less than 25 dives.

The outer Banks are a great place to vacation, but may be a bit advanced for your scuba skills. Whatever you do if you dive there once you get to 750psi surface. It does not matter if that means a 20minute dive. The dives there can be deep and new divers can blow thru gas. I dove with a new couple that could not go more than 35 minutes on a 25' reef! At Nags Head they would be done after the decent!

You have many years to dive, so just watch your air and surface as necessary.

 

[Mndiv]

I consider NC advanced diving, or it has that potential on almost any dive. Heck the rip tides have claimed lives of swimmers on the outer banks for as long as anyone can remember.

I honestly think the 25" reefs at Key Largo are what you want with less than 25 dives.

The outer Banks are a great place to vacation, but may be a bit advanced for your scuba skills. Whatever you do if you dive there once you get to 750psi surface. It does not matter if that means a 20minute dive. The dives there can be deep and new divers can blow thru gas. I dove with a new couple that could not go more than 35 minutes on a 25' reef! At Nags Head they would be done after the decent!

You have many years to dive, so just watch your air and surface as necessary.

Thank you for the advice, but NC is what it is. Not everyone in my family dives (yet) and as a family we've decided on NC this year. For me the option is dont dive here or dive here, and naturally, looking at the wide range of shipwrecks here I would love to dive the outerbanks. Having said that I realize that its more advanced diving, and I am looking forward to the challenge as wreck diving is always what has interested me in the field of scuba diving, and the outerbanks certainly have enough wrecks!

 

[Colliam7]

I consider NC advanced diving, or it has that potential on almost any dive. . . . The outer Banks are a great place to vacation, but may be a bit advanced for your scuba skills.

I agree with the 'potential' statement'. But, I also think it is quite possible for a newer diver to have some great diving experiences off the coast. And, while I would echo the sentiment that gaining some additional experience in Key Largo is always a great idea, since the OP is going to be in NC, he has a great opportunity to experience NC diving, particularly some of the wrecks. Depending on your current level of comfort and air consumption you can actually dive some of the deeper wrecks as a new diver, and do so comfortably. As an example: my (then 18y.o.) son dove the U-701, out of Hatteras, at 115' on his 10th dive. His air consumption was better (lower) than mine. He did the Naeco, out of Beaufort, at 136', on his 12th dive. In all honesty, on both days, we (just) happened to have near perfect conditions. On a different day, it may have been more challenging.

Mndiv: One thing you may have heard about is the presence of three WWII German U-boats off the coast. There are three of them, they are considered as some sort of 'rite of passage' by some, and for different reasons they may not be optimal for newer divers (although many newer divers descend on them every year). One (U-85) is shallower (85') but cold (water temps in the 60s). Given your current location, you may be used to colder waters, and that may not be an issue for you. The U-701 is deeper at ~115', and is often plagued by serious currents. I have done it on a great day, and been blown out on the very next day. The U-352 is probably the easiest at 115', but still deep.

In a previous post I provided some links to a couple of Outer Banks operators, one in Nags Head and the other in Hatteras. The 2011 summer charter schedule for the Nags Head operation is still posted, and gives you an example of the sites they go to, or at least went to last season. For the Hatteras operation, a schedule is not on the webpage. But, my recommendation is that you email both, sooner rather than later, and ask their advice on what they would recommned for you during your stay in Hatteras. You don't have to commit to anything, but may be able to get some good advice.

I also mentioned (and offered a link for) Discovery Diving, down in Beaufort, in a previous post. Their webpage is a trove of information on dive sites as well.

Note: in looking at the Hatteras op site, I was reminded that different operators have different, sometimes unique requirements. For example, Johnny Pieno's site indicates: 'EACH DIVER IS REQUIRED TO HAVE A COMPUTER AND DIVING ACCIDENT INSURANCE PROOF OF INSURANCE MUST BE PROVIDED ALONG WITH YOUR CERTIFICATION CARD AT CHECK IN'. You can rent a computer, but you can't show up and buy 'trip insurtance'. DAN membership is VERY inexpensive ($35/year), and the value is tremendous, so think about a DAN membership (DAN: Divers Alert Network - Scuba Diving and Dive Safety Association) - it works worldwide.

 

[divekraz]

Diving the Atlantic CAN be a step up for most folks...! I dive the Atlantic quite a bit and the trouble is the unpredictability! You can be going out in dead flat seas (does not happen often) and then by the time you hit the surface from you dive your trying to figure how to get back into the boat and the swells hit 4-8' and better...

Not a scare; just letting you know! I know folks do there AOW (with 10 dives to their name) on the wrecks off NC/SC but I think you should have experience diving before taking on the Atlantic... I was one of those folks with less than 20 dives and diving on a really poor day and had little to no problem but my wife on the other hand; not a happy camper... She lived through it but has not dove off NC since! Again, most times its fine but it can get bad in a hurry. Know how to get back on the boat before jumping in! Heck of a time to learn in bad seas... and watch out for that ladder, could loose a mouth full of teeth!

I can not be much help for the outer banks but if you find yourself in the Wilmington area well, the Hyde is a pretty good dive to cut your teeth on and in the summer will have the Sand Tigers around. Mean looking shark but non-aggressive. Little to no current and usually pretty good vis...

Welcome to the sport and trust you and your dad will have fond memories on NC when you leave... at least the diving!

lee

See the non-agressive shark on the video link below
Shark Encounter 8-25-06 Hatteras - YouTube
Click on the link above to see a 10 foot Sand Tiger Shark charging me on a wreck in Hatteras, North Carolina on 8-25-2006. I had just finished filming a moray eel on a 600' wreck, middle of the deck, nothing around me but space, at 90'fsw with good visibility. My wife Cathy suddenly spun me around and all I saw were teeth coming at me. I immediately turned on my camera. The shark didn't turn until I shoved the camera at it which was way to close at one ft away. This took less than 3 seconds for the shark to cover about 25'. If I wasn't facing the shark I'm not sure what would've happened. My wife says she saved my life, I say she put the biggest piece of meat between her and the shark. If you slow the speed you can see a Remora under the shark and see the clouds of fish in the background to see how large the shark was. Also note the pectoral fins are anled downward which indicates the shark is in a agressive mode. When the fins are out straight they are relaxed. Divers especially and people in general are not a food source for sharks and are bitten 99.9% of the time due to mistaken idenity. This shark probably didn't read the same book we've been reading. Yes, I did go diving on the same wreck the next day and I saw at least 6 more sharks. They pretty much ignored us as they should. I'm pretty sure I saw the same shark who just cruised on by me.

 

[RonFrank]

So here is what you need to dive NC.

• DAN insurance for both you and dad. Chamber rides cost $20,000, more?
• A good SMB and safety kit. 6' in length. Neutral Buoyancy: Review - DAN Surface Signal Kit One for each of you is best but you can share one if you can stay together... but that's not the best plan. Buy 2.
• Discuss renting 100cf or bigger tanks with the OP. A 16 year old kid may have OK air consumption, Dad likely not so much. More gas = Safer dive.
• Do either of you get seasick? If so find medication that works. Most boats I dive on have 10-25% of the divers getting seasick.
• Sunscreen and a hat.
• Water if the boat does not supply it.
• Snacks - Lunch. Ice packs if possible and a cooler.
• A personal Locator Beacon is a great idea but they are pricey $300+/-. Maybe you can rent one?

Some Ops supply water and Lunch, some do not. An AOW class is not bad idea as it will teach you deep, and likely wreck, maybe even boat. The problem with a pony is you need another regulator. Maybe rent one, but getting a larger tank is my best advice. Call the Dive Op and discuss. Large steel tanks are common there.

With luck your dives do not get blown out. That is an indication of how rough the diving is, they get blown out often, likely maybe 1 of 3 is canceled.

Dive Safe

 

[lsorenson]

Not to get off topic but just for one moment then maybe another thread... Pretty cool shot... I see this was back in 2009; I know folks think its ok to mess with the Sandy's but there are still a shark. I tell folks that sure, they get close enough to pet but DON'T PET THE SHARK!!! Their a SHARK!!! Its a shame, they found one with a "hole" in it I believe from a bang stick or maybe a spear, either way, found one killed last year on the Hyde...! Absolute shame... Should be no need unless your spearfishing and even then you give up the catch before you kill one!

I had a couple of hammerheads swim that close to me... Even a tiger but the tiger really got my attention... I had a camera and was going to get a snappy but then figured, like yourself, best use the camera to place between me and him! Still, pretty cool... and this was with a "wide angle"

Both encounters were in the Coco's Island...

I stand corrected on the date... Have to read; not look!!! I saw the date posted on utube... I ran it more than a dozen times...

lee

See the non-agressive shark on the video link below
Shark Encounter 8-25-06 Hatteras - YouTube
Click on the link above to see a 10 foot Sand Tiger Shark charging me on a wreck in Hatteras, North Carolina on 8-25-2006. I had just finished filming a moray eel on a 600' wreck, middle of the deck, nothing around me but space, at 90'fsw with good visibility. My wife Cathy suddenly spun me around and all I saw were teeth coming at me. I immediately turned on my camera. The shark didn't turn until I shoved the camera at it which was way to close at one ft away. This took less than 3 seconds for the shark to cover about 25'. If I wasn't facing the shark I'm not sure what would've happened. My wife says she saved my life, I say she put the biggest piece of meat between her and the shark. If you slow the speed you can see a Remora under the shark and see the clouds of fish in the background to see how large the shark was. Also note the pectoral fins are anled downward which indicates the shark is in a agressive mode. When the fins are out straight they are relaxed. Divers especially and people in general are not a food source for sharks and are bitten 99.9% of the time due to mistaken idenity. This shark probably didn't read the same book we've been reading. Yes, I did go diving on the same wreck the next day and I saw at least 6 more sharks. They pretty much ignored us as they should. I'm pretty sure I saw the same shark who just cruised on by me.