Interested in diving

[FIA-Sparki]

Hey, Sparki here!

For a while now I've been thinking about giving scuba diving a try, not to mention it would be nice to try something different from the repetative daily blah's...

So far, one of my friends would also like to give scuba diving a try, but we don't know of any good places that we can take a course. After spending a fair ammount of time reading these forums, which by the way are quite impressive, so much info , and also giving google a shot at finding some dive centers nearby, * Near Ottawa Ontario *. I've found Sharky's scuba, and Burtons Dive. Anyone from around here got any suggestions or recommendations for two noobs, as to a good training facility?

Another topic that somewhat concerns me, is $$$.
Been poking my way through some scuba gear sites, and the prices are just WOW:icon10:
Again, gear suggestions / recommendations would be much appreciated

Thanks for any and all help

FIA-Sparki



If anyone wants to chat*MSN* or is interested in being friends, im all up for it, I wont bite... Unless your a Tuna, mmm Tuna.

 

[ron_cooper]

I would suggest you try an introduction to scuba diving. You are shown how to do the minimum basics and dive in a group of about three or four people. One of which is a certified instructor. You don't get very deep but it lets you get a feel if you want to go any farther and spend the money on getting certified. To find out where to try it my first suggestion would be to phone any of the dive shops in your area, or local dive clubs.

 

[1_T_Submariner]

As Ron mentioned a discover scuba class would be a great to see if it is something that you really want to do.

As for gear prices you could rent for a while to make sure you want to commit more $$ then not all of your gear has to be new. There are a lot of people that invest a lot of $$ in gear then don't use it and sell it.

Any way welcome to scubaboard and hopefully scuba.

 

[FIA-Sparki]

Hey, Thanks for the quick reply.

Will look into the Discover Scuba course. Sounds like fun too.

Found a place nearby * litteraly 15 minutes away * called Diver's Wearhouse. Has anyone here from Ottawa had any experience with them? They have a tiny little forum, should be of some use.

If I do decide to persue diving, renting gear is not really what I would like to do, would be more comfortable with my own, just the prices are a little steep. Well, Ebay has served itself useful for me before, hopefully it will again.

Thanks for everything, really looking forward to giving diving a try

-Sparki

 

[DeputyDan]

Don't buy your regs or BC on E-Bay to much at risk.

The rest of your gear - I'd say OK

 

[UnderSeaBumbleBee]

Sparki,
I am new to scuba and and the type of person that does not like to rent or borrow ANYTHING! However, in renting gear I have changed my mind as to what gear I want and need. Had I purchased gear right off the bat, I would not have made a wise decision based on my needs and taste. All regs breath, all BC float, all fins move you in the water and all wet suits protect. That being said they all do better for worse than others. Everytime I got the lake, someone offers to let my try a piece of their gear. I could not afford to go out an buy it all to try. Some of the gear has been incredible, other gear has not impressed me at all.

With the gear I have purchased, but the time I bought it, I felt I was making the right decision for me. I feel that renting most of the time in life in a waste of money. In scuba it is like a cheap class. I learn something about what I like, don't like, want and need.

I have heard over and over at the lake from people that they wish they had waited a bit before buying gear until they had learned a bit more. I don't want to make the same expensive mistakes.

Good luck to you in your new adventure. I have always loved being in the water, but scuba has taken it to a whole new level for me. Hope you enjoy the journey!
Leah
P.S. I have started dreaming about scuba. It is taking over my life. I dreamed the other night that I was sleeping breathing through a reg connected to the bed post and that when I turned over the reg pulled out of my mouth! Yikes! I think I might have knocked the cats off the bed trying to get it back in!

 

[FIA-Sparki]

Sparki,
I am new to scuba and and the type of person that does not like to rent or borrow ANYTHING! However, in renting gear I have changed my mind as to what gear I want and need. Had I purchased gear right off the bat, I would not have made a wise decision based on my needs and taste. All regs breath, all BC float, all fins move you in the water and all wet suits protect. That being said they all do better for worse than others. Everytime I got the lake, someone offers to let my try a piece of their gear. I could not afford to go out an buy it all to try. Some of the gear has been incredible, other gear has not impressed me at all.

With the gear I have purchased, but the time I bought it, I felt I was making the right decision for me. I feel that renting most of the time in life in a waste of money. In scuba it is like a cheap class. I learn something about what I like, don't like, want and need.

I have heard over and over at the lake from people that they wish they had waited a bit before buying gear until they had learned a bit more. I don't want to make the same expensive mistakes.

Good luck to you in your new adventure. I have always loved being in the water, but scuba has taken it to a whole new level for me. Hope you enjoy the journey!
Leah

Hmmm, point taken. Still got the mechanic's / Tuner mentality going on, "Buy, Install, GO" never liked renting anything not to mention you can't rent a turbocharger kit, gonna have to shove that to the side .

P.S. I have started dreaming about scuba. It is taking over my life. I dreamed the other night that I was sleeping breathing through a reg connected to the bed post and that when I turned over the reg pulled out of my mouth! Yikes! I think I might have knocked the cats off the bed trying to get it back in!

Last time I woke my cat up from her sleeping time * it was accidental too *, ohhhh boy... To make things short, I have never seen such a mouthy, and disgruntled cat before. Its a good thing she was declawed when she was first born * Even tho it was for the best, I think declawing is cruel *. I close my room door now hahaha.

Thanks

-Sparki

 

[scuba41girl]

personally, i think discover scuba is a waste of money. it's around $150. if you like it you have to pay the additional full amount to get certified. just go and get certified. you will save money in the long run. some shops may credit you but i havent seen that yet.

 

[FIA-Sparki]

Well, I found this interesting line of info;
"Discover Scuba Diving skills may be credited toward the PADI Open Water Diver certification"

If the local shop here does "credit" you toward OW, assuming they have the Discover course, how exactly does it work?
Does it just lower the price of the course, or is the duration of the course shortened? I presume this varies from shop to shop?

Just curious as I would like to weigh:

-Take Discover Scuba only * would stop after this if I do not enjoy scuba. *

Benefit: If its not enjoyable, much less $$$ spent, and the $$$ could be spent elsewhere * ohhh forged race pistons for me! *

Drawback: I can't really think of one other then it will add to the time spent learning if I take OW after. * Learning more is a good thing tho, so technically this is not a drawback but a benefit to the logical mind *

-VS-

-Taking Discover Scuba THEN taking Open Water * obviously I would only take OW if I like Discover - somehow I doubt I will dislike it tho. *

Benefit: Would learn more as I would be spending more time with an instructor since it would be 2 course.

Drawback: Will cost more, and take a little bit more time. * same as above; the extra time spent will be spent on learning and that outweighs the cost IMO *

vs.

-Doing Open Water only

Benefit: Would be cheaper * to start anyway :tongue: * but will have the OW cert when done. * if I pass :tongue: *

Drawback: If I don't enjoy it, well it will be a bit more expensive, and a bit longer then Discover. Even if I don't like it, I will stick with it till the course is over. - I would rather finish last then not at all ANY DAY! -

Hard choice to make. I suppose its a "whats more important to me?" sorta thing. Cost, Time, Or Education in Scuba? <--- * I don't like to mess up things when its not necessary / so much at risk * I take my risks on solid ground where I have my main talent, Driving cars, HARD!


Thanks for everything, it's much appreciated!

-Sparki

 

[jbichsel]

personally, i think discover scuba is a waste of money. it's around $150. if you like it you have to pay the additional full amount to get certified. just go and get certified. you will save money in the long run. some shops may credit you but i havent seen that yet.

What? $150 for DSD? I've never heard of that. Run away!

I charge $25 for DSD and credit that towards OW cert if they continue.

Additionally, if we cover all the requirements of Confined Water Dive 1, then that is already out of the way. If it has been a few months to one year since DSD, then a skill assessment is in order and re-teach anything that needs it but no additional fee for that.

As to DSD being a waste of money, at $150, yeah it is. That is what OW classroom and Confined water goes for around here.

Beyond that, DSD, OW, Adventures in Diving, Rescue, DM, Specialties,.......it's all up to the instructor as to whether any of it is worth the money.