Hello - new to scubaboard

[laurak]

I got certified about 7 years ago and I am now planning my first dives. I will be traveling to Grand Cayman in January. I want to start off easy - a few shallow dives (40-50 feet) from shore or off a boat. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Txfirefighter4305]

Welcome Laura K

Get with a DM or experienced diver and brush up on skills

 

[drbill]

Definitely a good idea to have a refresher if you haven't dived over the last 7 years. Best to do this with an instructor (either formally or informally), or at least a well experienced diver. Do you plan to do some dives now before you go, or when you get there? If there, you could arrange to have the refresher given by the staff of the shop you dive with.

 

[gangrel441]

If you haven't dived in 7 years, and your only diving experince prior to now was your OW cert course, I would highly recommend you do a refresher course. If you did your training locally, check with the shop that did your training. They may let you retake the course for free.

A lot changes in this sport in a decade. I took a decade off after my cert and my first few dives (1987-89). When I came back to the sport in 2001, recommended ascent rates had changed from 60fpm to 30fpm, Navy tables were replaced by more conservative agency dive tables, 15 ft safety stops were recommended (no such animal in 1987), and dive computers had come in to prominence. Since I have been diving actively (over 100 dives) I have also learned how much of this sport you truely learn by repetition.

If my understanding of your experience is correct, I would not advise simply doing some 40-50 ft shore dives and shallow boat dives. Supervision and repetition of training will definately be an asset to you.

 

[PePaw]

What everybody else said.
Oh, and WELCOME ABOARD !

 

[fisheyeview]

Welcome to the Board. Where are you located?

 

[Scuba Mama]

Welcome to Scuba Board.

I was in your situation last year. Definitely get the refresher course and get wet with an experienced diver or divemaster.

Once you take the refresher course, everything will fall back into place.

 

[laurak]

Thank you all for the advice. I just contacted my dive instructor and am scheduling a refresher course. I will be going on this trip with a girl I took the class with and she has been to Florida and Australia and has logged a number of dives. Any suggestions on nice easy dives in Grand Cayman? Also going with a girl who is not certified. I would also appreciate any suggestions on any good places to snokel. Thanks!