It took 9 months, but I did it!

[brlong23]

I started my OW certification in September of last year but 2 days before doing our OW dives, I got an ear infection so obviously, I had to sit out because I couldn't equalize properly. I finally was back to normal in late October and went to do my OW dives in early November. It just so happened that it was 2 days after Hurricane Sandy rolled through and so the visibility was literally 1' at best, so my instructor called the dive after being in the water for 10 minutes. The shop I went through uses a quarry for our certification and it so happened that this was the last weekend the quarry would be open for the remainder of the year, so I was basically on hold until I could come back this year. The quarry re-opened in April but due to work/school commitments, I was unavailable until two weeks ago. I was able to get a refresher day in the pool to run through the drills and then went out this past weekend to do my dives.

So finally, after 9 months, I am a certified diver! I already have the itch and so my wife (she's already certified) and I are going out this weekend together. Can't wait to continue the journey and will hopefully meet a lot of great people along the way.

- Brandon

 

[Skittl1321]

Congratulations!

 

[TMHeimer]

Congratulations. That's a real pain! Courses can also be cancelled for lack of students or any other number of reasons. When you plan on something and it's a no go that can be a real pain, but thus is scuba. Weather & circumstances meant my DM course took about twice your time. But the main thing is you got it done. I'm going for a dive in NJ next week and they say it will be OK, though I think they're rebuilding the bathouse.

 

[ScubaBen1]

Congratulations

Seems to be so many things that can prevent us diving - weather, illness etc. but from what I've experienced in my short time as a diver its always worth those occasional disappointments once your in the water!

 

[BVickery]

Congrats! Much shorter than my ordeal.

 

[brlong23]

Thanks everyone! I was fortunate to have a great instructor who made himself available with my crazy schedule to get me certified.

 

[DivemasterDennis]

brlong23 has my hardy congratulations ana special scuba snobs shout out for perserverence and success!
DivemasterDennis