Hello from Chicago

[JohnnyStep]

Hi, I'm John, and I may be addicted to Scuba.

It started last November, when I got my first little taste of snorkeling in Mexico. I recently went to an LDS to get some snorkeling gear, and saw on their website that the Scuba classes weren't too unreasonable, so.... I signed up for a discover scuba class, and loved it. Now, I'm anxiously awaiting the full class next week. My open water dives are already scheduled for May, so I will be OW certified by the end of May.

Although the warm waters are great, I want to dive locally, too. After I have some experience, I want to do an AOW, and eventually go on to rescue diver certification. I just started reading in the DIR forum this afternoon, and I'm thinking that a DIRF course is in my future, too.

I'm really eager to get certified and into the water, but at the same time, I want to make sure that I do things correctly and not rush. So far, the board has been invaluable in terms of the knowledge I've gained, and I've only been lurking here for a week or so. There is enough reading here to last months, if not years.

I'm looking forward to spending lots more time here, and meeting some great people to dive with, both in the Chicago/Great Lakes area, and on vacations.

--John

 

[Scuba Brad]

John most excellent!! You'r on your way my friend. Let us know if we can assist you with your gear.

Happy Diving

 

[Brown Mermaid]

When you certify you can always dive with us. We dive locally (Haigh Quarry and Lake Michigan). We can put in contact with people who do the Great Lakes. We've alreadd started our dive season at Bonne Terre Mines in Missouri.

Brown Mermaid

Hi, I'm John, and I may be addicted to Scuba.

It started last November, when I got my first little taste of snorkeling in Mexico. I recently went to an LDS to get some snorkeling gear, and saw on their website that the Scuba classes weren't too unreasonable, so.... I signed up for a discover scuba class, and loved it. Now, I'm anxiously awaiting the full class next week. My open water dives are already scheduled for May, so I will be OW certified by the end of May.

Although the warm waters are great, I want to dive locally, too. After I have some experience, I want to do an AOW, and eventually go on to rescue diver certification. I just started reading in the DIR forum this afternoon, and I'm thinking that a DIRF course is in my future, too.

I'm really eager to get certified and into the water, but at the same time, I want to make sure that I do things correctly and not rush. So far, the board has been invaluable in terms of the knowledge I've gained, and I've only been lurking here for a week or so. There is enough reading here to last months, if not years.

I'm looking forward to spending lots more time here, and meeting some great people to dive with, both in the Chicago/Great Lakes area, and on vacations.

--John

 

[ppo2_diver]

Glad to see another Chicagoan on the board. Local diving is great. There are a tons of awesome shipwrecks in Lake Michigan. You can't go wrong with the DIRf class.

 

[Jason Ooi]

welcome to SB

 

[Divin'Papaw]

Welcome to SB John. There are lots of Chicago divers on SB. Also, be sure the check out the Great Lakes Wrecking Crew forum.

 

[JohnnyStep]

Thanks for the warm welcome, everybody! It was especially nice to hear from of you local divers. Brown and Duane, I've added you to my buddy list. We'll be in touch after I get my certification.

As far as gearing up, I've got some ideas as to what reg I would like, but I'm still reading up on the rest. I'd like to try to follow DIR practices, and try to put together a kit that I can use for wreck diving in cold water OR in tropical waters on a vacation. Is this a realistic goal?

 

[CD_in_Chitown]

Thanks for the warm welcome, everybody! It was especially nice to hear from of you local divers. Brown and Duane, I've added you to my buddy list. We'll be in touch after I get my certification.....
and try to put together a kit that I can use for wreck diving in cold water OR in tropical waters on a vacation. Is this a realistic goal?

Add me too, there will be plenty of activity in Kankakee over the coming month(s) as the season ramps up for the lake. I don't DIR but Duane does, when we meet up at the quarry I think we'll see alot of similarities in our gear.

As for a cold and warm water rig, you could do an SS plate with a singles wing in either climate. The weight may be a) too much for your thinner exposure suit or b) too heavy to carry in your baggage. They make an AL backplate that warm water guys seem to favor, I think they weigh less than 1.5 lbs. So you're not getting the full benefit of 6+ lbs off your weight belt/pouch and over your lungs. Not to mention the choice between steel and AL tanks, for drysuits or wetsuits. In fact, let me be the first to let you in on a little secret There is no one kit you can put together. After 9+ years doing this I've got three divable rigs in various states of disassembly in the basement in addition to the primary kit of doubles, stage, argon and all acroutements sitting in the garage for tonight's adventure.

Tallyho til later, welcome to SB and welcome to your new drug of choice.

Chris

 

[JohnnyStep]

Chris,
You're probably right, it's a pipe dream. I know I will wind up with tons of stuff eventually, but it would at least be nice to start out with something that can do double duty, at least for local dives in the "warm" season, anyway. I don't want to have to put together two rigs immediately.

Thanks for the reply... I've added you to my buddy list, too!

 

[RockPile]

Don't forget Indiana. Lot's of great diving there.

JB