Finally Certified!

[Magali]

Completed OW in the PNW. I am so excited!
Thank god I opted for the dry suit!
My first experience diving was in Bonaire 8+ years ago and fell in love with it, I waited this long to get certified b/c I could not fathom diving in the cold waters of the PNW.Silly me.
The only real issue I had was boyancy control, I was so happy once I got that figured out but those moments were rare.
I really want to continue and am thinking about taking the AOW just to get back in the water.
I am a little apprehensive about going out and seeking a buddy b/c I am so new and I may sometimes need a little help(my navigation skills suck).
How do people feel about pairing up with newbies? I'm asking b/c there were people in my class that I wouldn't walk across a busy street with let alone dive with. Not trying to be mean but...

Thanks!!

 

[2905luvsbubbles]

A good way to buddy up is at dive get togethers. There will always be divers of varying skill level at them, and often some are instructors that may be willing to buddy up with you. It was some of the best early dives we had. (My whole family dives and usually dives together) These instructors gave us all kinds of tidbits to improve on. They usually love to teach and I didn't have to pay!!

 

[dbombtek]

Congrats and lds's usually post a diving board not to mention the fact that you are looking at a huge diving board im sure you will find someone you can trust soon. Good Luck!

 

[mudhole]

Completed OW in the PNW. I am so excited!
. . .The only real issue I had was boyancy control, I was so happy once I got that figured out but those moments were rare.
I really want to continue and am thinking about taking the AOW just to get back in the water.
I am a little apprehensive about going out and seeking a buddy b/c I am so new and I may sometimes need a little help(my navigation skills suck).
How do people feel about pairing up with newbies? I'm asking b/c there were people in my class that I wouldn't walk across a busy street with let alone dive with. Not trying to be mean but...
Thanks!!

Welcome to the addiction. . . as a new diver you'll get better with the little problems, like bouyancy control as you gain experience. The AOW class is a good choice if you have an experience instructor that you can get along with. It will introduce you to new experiences with the instructor close by. Also the class will let you meet more divers to pair up with.

When you look for dive partners, hang around the air stations. "The" place to meet the divers who are actively diving, not talking about it. If you team up with another beginner, no problem, just set your dive plan to a simpler goal. You and another beginner can just make an easy dive, watch your bubbles, work out your bouyancy swim a short distance from your entry point to explore. Keep it simple and do that often. . . and your skills will develop quickly.

 

[REII]

Congrats Magali!

TOM

 

[wallacm]

congrats!!! best way to find buddies is thru the lds dive trips

 

[Paco]

Sounds like you´re on your way to becoming a good diver. Appreciate the experienced divers that help you on your way and remember this when the opportunities present themselve for you to help the new divers as well. We were all new at some point and appreciated our mentors. Learn and become a mentor as well.

 

[Scuba Jerm]

Congrats on getting certified. I've been the newbie before too.... we all have. As for diving with newbie's its all about having fun, and if you miss out on 10minutes of diving b/c they blow through their air.... big deal! Just enjoy their experiance as well as yours, and you might find that to be just as fun and often times amuzing!

 

[Sharky1948]

Congratulations! Dive safely and have fun!

Regarding taking AOW just to get back in the water, I would encourage you to get some experience under your belt first. You will get more out of the course that way.

In terms of diving with other newbies, I probably have a more cautious view than some others. If you are feeling discomfort at the thought, then don't. If another new diver has a problem and panics, it will put you both in danger. That can happen on even the most simple dive for a new diver.

BTW, taking your training diving dry is a plus. I went dry after 10+ years and 500+ dives. I have to say that I felt pretty awkward for the first few dives. It does add one more element to the task loading. Just keep working on your buoyancy so that you can hover dead still at 10'. Safety stops are a great training class!

 

[TimK]

Congratulations -- now go out and dive!

As a newbie myself I joined a local diving club and have joined some of the LDS's in the area on shore dives. The United Divers of New Hampshire club members have been great and I have enjoyed a number of dives since joining. I always try to be honest and tell folks I'm new, my air consumption is still pretty bad :shakehead , and I'll take advice. That kind of breaks the ice and makes my buddies feel like they know where they stand diving with me. I think you'll find most of the divers you run into to be good people and willing to help you out and make sure you dive as comfortably and safely as possible.

Good luck!