Ideal diving conditions for new divers?

[Carlos Danger]

Hi everyone

Can you describe the kind of dive spot/diving conditions best suited for new divers? Will diving in freshwater be as safe as diving in the sea? Generally, what factors do you consider in deciding whether a dive spot is appropriate for novices?

As always, I look forward to hearing from you.

Generally speaking, Comfort=Enjoyment. Temperature, Visibility, and Depth are some primary factors that will impact your level of comfort, which I call the 80³ rule (eighty cubed). If the water is over 80 degrees, the visibility is over 80 feet, and the depth is no greater than 80ft deep, then you are likely in the ball park. Beyond these, some other things to consider are the presence of current and/or choppy surface conditions that could complicate entry/exit, or knowledge of submerged obstacles, plant growth, etc, that might serve to impede, cause confusion, or separate you from your group.

Personally, I prefer ocean diving myself, but have also had some great freshwater experiences diving Cenotes. I do not believe one is any safer than the other, it's really more about your training, being properly prepared and honest about your limitations, and knowing the conditions. Fail to prepare, prepare to fail!

 

[Diver0001]

I call the 80³ rule (eighty cubed). If the water is over 80 degrees, the visibility is over 80 feet, and the depth is no greater than 80ft deep, then you are likely in the ball park.

I like this but where I live those would have to be the 9³ rules. 9 degrees C, 9 ft of viz and 9 metres depth

Conditions that you called "ballpark" are a wet dream outside the tropics.

R..

 

[fjpatrum]

Maybe I'm looking at this from the wrong perspective but it seems to me this answer should be "conditions like they're going to dive in" whether they be completely benign or not. I would hope (and I'm not an instructor) that by the time they hit the OW portion of the class the instructor would have a handle on whether or not they're likely to have issues in the expected conditions.

What good is taking a class out into "pool like" conditions if that's not the reality of what they're likely to encounter when diving?

I'm not saying that there aren't conditions us newbs shouldn't be in, but would any competent instructor really attempt to take students into such conditions?

 

[Diver0001]

Maybe I'm looking at this from the wrong perspective but it seems to me this answer should be "conditions like they're going to dive in" whether they be completely benign or not. I would hope (and I'm not an instructor) that by the time they hit the OW portion of the class the instructor would have a handle on whether or not they're likely to have issues in the expected conditions.

What good is taking a class out into "pool like" conditions if that's not the reality of what they're likely to encounter when diving?

I'm not saying that there aren't conditions us newbs shouldn't be in, but would any competent instructor really attempt to take students into such conditions?

I think the OP's question was more like what conditions should they avoid for their first few unsupervised dives *after* they are certified. If I get your drift then you seem to be looking at it as if they are still in training.

Where this discussion is relevant to the OP's training is that this question probably could have better addressed by the OP's instructor in the context of their local conditions than it can be by us. Alas, questions sometimes don't come up when it would have been handy to ask them.

R..

 

[Skittl1321]

I like this but where I live those would have to be the 9³ rules. 9 degrees C, 9 ft of viz and 9 metres depth

Conditions that you called "ballpark" are a wet dream outside the tropics.

R..

I agree, what you outline is basically what I've been able to dive. As a new diver, if I shot for 80 cubed, I'd never be in the water...
However, 9 C is a bit too cold for me, I'd say 10 C is my minimum (no dry suit). 9 feet of viz is pretty realistic for what's around here though, as is 9 meters deep.

If vis is less than 5 feet (measured by whether I can see my fins, I'm 5'0" tall) I hold hands with my buddy. If I'm holding their hand and can't see their face, or if we have to have a dive flag, I hold their elbow. (If I'm towing the dive flag, they hold mine)

However, while the temperature and viz suck, we dive in small lakes and quarries, so there is no navigation component. There is nothing to find anyway. If we get lost, we surface and then look to see where the entrance is and head back that way (above or below water)

 

[nimoh]

I like this but where I live those would have to be the 9³ rules. 9 degrees C, 9 ft of viz and 9 metres depth

Conditions that you called "ballpark" are a wet dream outside the tropics.

R..

It's confusing mixing metric and imperial. What if a diver takes your rule and tries to dive in water that is 9 degrees F

 

[Skittl1321]

It's confusing mixing metric and imperial. What if a diver takes your rule and tries to dive in water that is 9 degrees F

They'd need ice skates?

 

[Diver0001]

They'd need ice skates?

I was thinking chainsaw myself.

R...

 

[Skittl1321]

I was thinking chainsaw myself.

R...

Once you get through the ice though, won't the water be above 32 F? I don't think a beginner is ice diving though.

 

[Carlos Danger]

I like this but where I live those would have to be the 9³ rules. 9 degrees C, 9 ft of viz and 9 metres depth

Conditions that you called "ballpark" are a wet dream outside the tropics.

R..

Ha!!! I think I like your term better!

I agree, what you outline is basically what I've been able to dive. As a new diver, if I shot for 80 cubed, I'd never be in the water...
However, 9 C is a bit too cold for me, I'd say 10 C is my minimum (no dry suit). 9 feet of viz is pretty realistic for what's around here though, as is 9 meters deep.

If vis is less than 5 feet (measured by whether I can see my fins, I'm 5'0" tall) I hold hands with my buddy. If I'm holding their hand and can't see their face, or if we have to have a dive flag, I hold their elbow. (If I'm towing the dive flag, they hold mine)

However, while the temperature and viz suck, we dive in small lakes and quarries, so there is no navigation component. There is nothing to find anyway. If we get lost, we surface and then look to see where the entrance is and head back that way (above or below water)

Yeah, I hear what you guys are saying. For me though, I have come to realize that if the conditions are not ideal for what I am comfortable doing, or otherwise do not rise to "wet dream" status, then I simply do not dive. It is not worth all the effort and expense to me if the conditions are not ones likely to provide much enjoyment. Just my personal take.

I guess this is why I only dive in the tropics.