chs8084
Contributor
I would make arrangements for a private dm. Also, I would take bonine the night before and in the morning. Dramamine can make you drowsy.
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You might get better answers if you told us which dive boat you were using to charter for diving?
I'd be less concerned about my money and more concerned about the safety of fairly new divers, especially a 13 year old, in what can sometimes be challenging conditions in NC waters on your first open water dive. Although the Indra is a inshore wreck in fairly shallow water, sometimes the vis can be pretty bad. How confident are you of your navigation skills to find your way back to the anchor line? Are you willing to abort the dive if any of you feels uncomfortable? The operator won't give you back your money if you do. How do you feel about that? Also, weather can change very quickly off the NC coast. One hour you have great conditions, the next hour they're crap. You can see if you can hire a guide if you feel you need it. I would just call the operator, tell them about your experience level, and ask them to tell you about the dives and the boat procedures. Some boats expect more experienced divers but others will cater to newbies. Have any of you been seasick? That's another thing to think about. Also this, which may sound really weird but I've seen it happen. One kid in a group on my boat was afraid of the fish. There can be barracuda and other fairly large fish on the Indra, which may look scary to some people with their big teeth. Don't think I've seen sharks there. Can't remember. I love diving NC wrecks. One of my favorite places to dive. You should have fun and it's ok to have some jitters. That's normal. Also check out You Tube for some footage of Indra dives. I found a couple of them, one with a turtle and another with a baitball. Awesome stuff!!
NC boats at most provide with some weights and bottled water.
Most of us diving there bring everything you need. That includes drinks and food.
I find those uncrustables a good choice. Also those small tuna salad & crackers combos are pretty good. You will have some place in the cooler and ice in it to keep your stuff cool.
A soft mesh bag for gear is good, also bring a drybag for your clothes, cell phone etc...
Take something for motion sickness the night before and one when you arrive at the dock. (I use Dimenhydrinate - Dramamine/Triptone.)
Take the morning ride if possible, more chances of favorable conditions.
More than likely boat WILL go out even if conditions are not that great so don't expect refund in case of bad weather unless it is really bad.Expect a boat to be a taxi service to and from the dive site, that is about it. You set up your own gear, change the tanks between the dives etc... generally there is no DM in the water but you get a dive site briefing. However I would read ahead of time and perhaps get one of the slates if possible.
Oh... just because it says it will be Indra the actual conditions will dictate where you will end up.
- Have you checked to make sure the conditions that the dive sites presents are consistent with your families abilities.
- A lot of my diving has been in quarries which present their own challenges such as visibility, temperature etc. However, quarries do not present strong currents, excessive wave motion etc.
- Does the operator have sufficient supplies of O2 on board?
- What is the operator procedure for accounting for all of the divers before and after the dive?
- How often in advance does the operator make a cancellation decision? If that decision is 45 minuted before departure, then you could end up driving 5 hours for nothing.
- If operator cancels the trip what is their refund policy?
- If you cancel the trip, what is their refund policy?
- Is there a divemaster in the water with you? Many charters off the coastal USA do not have overmasters in the water with you.
- If there is no divemaster in the water with you to lead the dive are you confident enough in you navigation skills to get you and your buddy back to the boat?
- Is there a fourth person that will be diving with you? If not, I would question a 3-person buddy team with only 13 dives in a quarry.
- You will need to account for the extra buoyancy of sea water compared to fresh water. Sea water is 2.5% more buoyant that fresh water. The means to figure out the weight you will need for salt water you need to determine the total weight of the diver, plus all of his/her gear (including weights etc.). Once you have this number you will need multiply that weight by.5 %. The result of that calculation is the amount of additional weight you will need to dive in the ocean.
For example, lets say that you need 20 lbs of weight to dive in the quarry. If the total weight of you and all your gear is 200 lbs. then you will need about 25 lbs. to dive in the ocean (20 lbs. used in fresh water + 2.5% of 200 lbs. = 5 lbs. additional weight for a total of 25 lbs.).
Some instructors don't explain this very well to their open water students and just say you need 2.5% more weight. Absent any other information the logical person would assume 2.5% of 20 lbs. is the amount they would need to add.
You're not new to SB, but since you asked - I'll still give my suggestions...
Hire one! Trio diving is confusing enough but for your first boat & ocean dive, money well spent - especially with the kiddo. I suspect you'll both be watching her closely, not each other enough, but that could go other ways.
Got DAN or Assure dive insurance? Not the cheapest plan for either please, at least the middle.
Got surface signal devices for each? I see divers go to sea without them. Just amazes me.
Ask for a 100 cf tank for your hubby as he may blow thru air faster than you girls.
Got computers for each, that you know and understand well? Well, it's a square profile so you can dive tables ok. Got a stop watch on your waterproof watch? I buy mine at walmart.
Finally, keep the regs in your mouths until you are well on the boat. Talk later.
If I were making the choice I'd do a longer drive or shell out for some flight tickets and go on down to Lauderdale or the Upper Keys. Warmer, more stable temps and water and lots more operator selections. Very much easier diving especially with divers with so little dives under their belt.
NOAA buoy Station BFTN7 - 8656483 - Beaufort, NC shows water temperature at 49.5F. :cold: You're not going until summer are you?
The DM usually stays on the boat and does not lead the dive in the water unless other arrangements have been made beforehand. Olympus is a nice charter. Be honest about your experience and skill levels and they will advise you accordingly.
Thanks for the PM, I will look into it. My biggest concern is at what point should one not enter the water???? I realize the conditions there can and do change, I have seen the trees bend over during the summer storms. I have been swimming in the currents there and they can be rough. Is there a general guideline?? 1' seas=OK, what should one follow????
Honestly, the only times I've been to the Indra was when the waters were too rough or the conditions too bad for the off shore wrecks. Consequently, when I've gone, the conditions have been less than stellar. But considering its depth, yes, it would be ideal for OW check out dives, especially if you have nice weather.I have been very upfront with the shop about who, experience, dives, where all dives have been. I have been talking to the dive shop for a while now trying to figure out if we should and what skills would be needed. From my understanding, this is one of the places they do OW checkout dives, I think, someone correct me if I am wrong.
I have nothing to prove and I have no male hormones to get in the way.