Ideal first dives for fresh OW graduates? ideal depth.

[tursiops]

OP, you seem hung up on depth. Good vis, low current, and easy navigation are probably more important for those first dives. Just stay above 60 feet to meet the conditions of the OW cert. Key largo? Do NOT go to the wrecks. Springs? No fish to speak of, compared to the ocean. Those first dives are about feeling comfortable, about being fascinated by the ocean, about gaining some confidence in one's self and in one's equipment. No stress, no pressure.

By the way, make sure they are not overweighted.

 

[USdiver1]

Most instructors will want to work no deeper than 20' -25' for OW checkout dives. It is deep enough to perform the required CESA [Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent] yet not too deep to create unwanted anxieties in the instructors and their dive masters [the students will have sufficient anxieties at those depth to go around for all].

First day of OW checkout is the more stressful for the students, and going deep is not on anybody's list of things to do.

Rainbow River doesn't have the depth, but more than makes up for it with current and many things to see as you drift along performing a few skills. I like the combination of Blue Grotto and RR for OW checkout, as many OW environmental variables are present between the two.

 

[scubadada]

Most instructors will want to work no deeper than 20' -25' for OW checkout dives. It is deep enough to perform the required CESA [Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent] yet not too deep to create unwanted anxieties in the instructors and their dive masters [the students will have sufficient anxieties at those depth to go around for all].

First day of OW checkout is the more stressful for the students, and going deep is not on anybody's list of things to do.

Rainbow River doesn't have the depth, but more than makes up for it with current and many things to see as you drift along performing a few skills. I like the combination of Blue Grotto and RR for OW checkout, as many OW environmental variables are present between the two.

I was recertified with my son in 1997 in Grand Cayman after primary certification in 1970 by LA County. Our certification dives on day one were at 40 feet and included a nice swim around at the end of skills. Our day two certification dives were at 60 feet with a very nice swim around after the skills. We were very fortunate to do this on Grand Cayman back in the older days.

My 40 year old son and I still dive together.

 

[FishWatcher747]

OP, do you know about the Benwood wreck in Key largo? It is about 45 feet and if your guide wants to take you to the elevator shaft you can get to 60 feet.

The other choices are 30 foot reef dives and wrecks starting at 90 feet not great for beginners.

Once your pod gets comfortable on the Key Largo 30 foot dives I would get on the Benwood as many times as possible.

Note I have not been to Key Largo in about 3 years.

 

[bradlw]

OP, do you know about the Benwood wreck in Key largo? It is about 45 feet and if your guide wants to take you to the elevator shaft you can get to 60 feet.

The other choices are 30 foot reef dives and wrecks starting at 90 feet not great for beginners.

Once your pod gets comfortable on the Key Largo 30 foot dives I would get on the Benwood as many times as possible.

Note I have not been to Key Largo in about 3 years.

I've not been down there in roughly 25 years!
I don't recall ever diving the Benwood but I have read about it recently. So what about it did you like so much?
I've not heard of Elevator shaft, but I'll look that up!

We're doing a private charter so I figured that I'd ask and they'll know the conditions and decide if it's a fit. It's good to know that there are some options though!

OP, you seem hung up on depth. Good vis, low current, and easy navigation are probably more important for those first dives.

I'm not really hung up on depth but I think there's probably something to be said for getting past the x2 pressure gradient down to were another 33ft doesn't double the pressure. Compress the wetsuit a little and push the new diver past swimming pool depth. Mostly it's about that. I've watched them in the class and they're new but they're not out of control new divers. But yes, I'm all for another couple of 20ft dives with good vis and something fun to explore if that's what makes the most sense at the time!

My loose idea is to ask for some of the shallow dives the first day there..maybe one of those with swim throughs if conditions favor...then the second day go alittle deeper if teh conditions favor it.

 

[BHWookiee]

You are in NE FL, right next to some great springs diving. 72 degree water year-round, good viz, take a trip to Blue Grotto and Devil's Den, both in Williston, nice first dives.

Yep, my OW checkout was Devil’s Den, its always a good time. I did some of my AOW training at Blue Grotto.

Some of my favorite “easy” dives are KP Hole / Rainbow River, freshwater drift dive. You can get a surface interval and 2 dives out of one tank. As well as Blue Herron Bridge (on your way to/from the keys). As long as you mind the tides, it’s a super easy and fun location with plenty to see in shallow water.

 

[jonhall]

Most instructors will want to work no deeper than 20' -25' for OW checkout dives.

I was recertified with my son in 1997 in Grand Cayman

Same here - checkout dives in Grand Cayman 1998. First 2 were shore dives at Turtle Reef to 50' and 60'. Next day were boat dives to 60' and 50'. Fun dives - GC still one of my favorite places for diving.

 

[tursiops]

I'm not really hung up on depth but I think there's probably something to be said for getting past the x2 pressure gradient down to were another 33ft doesn't double the pressure. Compress the wetsuit a little and push the new diver past swimming pool depth.

The wetsuit will be as compressed as it is going to get at 15-20 ft.

going a little deeper was a little easier.... Maybe a smidge easier to control bouyancy, clearing ears, not fighting wave surge.

I figure that it was maybe getting down deep enough for the wetsuit to compress.... so the pressure gradient is less per foot, maybe a little easier to clear the ears past that point, etc..

Controlling up and down a foot while at 33 ft is indeed easier than doing it at 11 ft, but not because "the pressure gradient is less per foot"; the pressure gradient is 1/33 ATM per foot in either case, but the relative pressure change means you divide that by 2 ATM at 33 ft, and by just 1.33 ATM at 11 ft. Only a little different. Boyles Law is a bit easier to mange deeper, but only a little. If they are weighted correctly, then there is only a little air in the BCD to be neutral at depth so Boyles Law is acting on less volume.
Clearing the ears is most important in the top 10 ft; if you don't get that right you are screwed. They should take their time descending initially.....another reason not to be overweighted.