Just Certified - Couple of Questions

[UncutDesign]

Hello there,

I got certified about 2 months ago, i have around 20 dives (all on FL / GA springs)
There are some questions i would like for you to answer, althogh my instructor is VERY GOOD i would like to get some other points of view.

1.- While diving, my mouth gets extremely dry, and i mean DRY.
Does the little thing you put on your tank (like a filter or something) really helps?

2.- Where is the best place to shark dive? (florida coast please)
My birthday is in january and thats what i want to do

3.- Were can i get a mask with the special lens to see things on normal size (i tried one during a dive from another diver, it was GREAT) I cant seem to find it on the internet

4.- I dont have any problems descending (i rarely need to equalize my ears) do i still need to go really slow...?

5.- Are diving computers really worthed?
The reasson i ask this is because althogh i love technology, im not sure if i should spend that much money (lets be honest, they are not cheap). The one i like is around $600. Whats the best brand, as in durable.

6.- Whats the best way to control you air during a control emergency ascent?
I tend to blow all the air during the first 10 seconds.
NOTE: I did control it during my certification, but it just dont come naturally. Is not that i dont have air... but, since i have the regulator in my mouth, the air comes out really fast.

Thats all for now, i would appreciate your comments.

 

[dlndavid]

Hey welcome to ScubaBoard, the only thing you need to slow down on is your barrage of questions, too many for us to answer all at once. A couple of questions is 2, a whole bunch of questions is 6.
1. don't know
2. Florida could be good, probably not the best.
3. don't know
4. no
5. They are handy, but not required
6. Pratice releasing air slowly

 

[Walter]

1.- While diving, my mouth gets extremely dry, and i mean DRY.
Does the little thing you put on your tank (like a filter or something) really helps?

Drinks lots of water before and after your dive. There is a filter you can get, but I suspect it is a better nursery for bacteria than anything else. I wouldn't use one.

2.- Where is the best place to shark dive? (florida coast please)
My birthday is in january and thats what i want to do

If you're looking for shark feeds, they are illegal in Florida. If you want plasces to see sharks naturally in Florida, the Palm Beach area is excellent, as is spearfishing in the Gulf.

3.- Were can i get a mask with the special lens to see things on normal size (i tried one during a dive from another diver, it was GREAT) I cant seem to find it on the internet

Most dive shops sell prescription masks.

4.- I dont have any problems descending (i rarely need to equalize my ears) do i still need to go really slow...?

You have to equalize, although it may be very easy for you. Don't exceed 75 feet per minute.

5.- Are diving computers really worthed?
The reasson i ask this is because althogh i love technology, im not sure if i should spend that much money (lets be honest, they are not cheap). The one i like is around $600. Whats the best brand, as in durable.

That's a value judgement, you'll have to make that determination for yourself. There are lots of excellent brands available. I've personally had good luck with both Genesis and Oceanic.

6.- Whats the best way to control you air during a control emergency ascent?
I tend to blow all the air during the first 10 seconds.
NOTE: I did control it during my certification, but it just dont come naturally. Is not that i dont have air... but, since i have the regulator in my mouth, the air comes out really fast.

Practice exhaling slowly. As you ascent, the air in your lungs will expand.

 

[PRL]

3.- Were can i get a mask with the special lens to see things on normal size (i tried one during a dive from another diver, it was GREAT) I cant seem to find it on the internet

http://www.hydrooptix.com/

is that the mask you are refering to?

 

[RumBum]

#1 its called a Biofilter. Do a search in the scubaboard search function. Some people like them some don't.
#3 are you talking about a Hydro-optix mask? See the website here.
http://www.hydrooptix.com/
This is only for people who are nearsighted, or want to wear contacts to make themselves nearsighted.
#5 YES computers are absolutely worth every penny. Many diveboats will not let you dive tables. And no one follows a perfect dive plan (we must stay at exactly 80 feet for exactly 20 minutes, etc), the computer can factor in your ups and downs and keep you out of the chamber. Especially important on repeated dives when you start approaching the no-deco limits.

You are SO lucky to live in such a great place to learn to dive!
Have fun!

 

[Bruciebabe]

Hello there,

I got certified about 2 months ago, i have around 20 dives (all on FL / GA springs)
There are some questions i would like for you to answer, althogh my instructor is VERY GOOD i would like to get some other points of view.

Congratulations. You are lucky to be diving in some of the world's greatest dives. Problem is you need your cave ticket to see the best.

1.- While diving, my mouth gets extremely dry, and i mean DRY.
Does the little thing you put on your tank (like a filter or something) really helps?

This is because the air you breathe has all moisture removed to stop corroding your cylinders. An answer is that some Sherwood regulators have vanes in them on which your outgoing breath condenses only to vapourise and moisturise your next incoming breath. I have one of these and it works.

2.- Where is the best place to shark dive? (florida coast please)
My birthday is in january and thats what i want to do

Not being American I don't know. 95% of the world's sharks are already gone to make tasteless soup for prestige concious Chinese. They are killing another 100 million a year. Soon there will be none and nobody seems to care.

3.- Were can i get a mask with the special lens to see things on normal size (i tried one during a dive from another diver, it was GREAT) I cant seem to find it on the internet

I think you mean Hydroptix. Try here:
http://www.scubasciences.com/hydroptix.htm

4.- I dont have any problems descending (i rarely need to equalize my ears) do i still need to go really slow...?

Take real big care with your ears. With more practice you will learn just how fast you can descend. It varies from day to day and even from dive to dive.

5.- Are diving computers really worthed?
The reasson i ask this is because althogh i love technology, im not sure if i should spend that much money (lets be honest, they are not cheap). The one i like is around $600. Whats the best brand, as in durable.

Essential. You don't need to spend $600. Do some research on models and scour the internet on price. You should not dive without one. Read and understand the manual. The main brands are very durable. Look at Suunto for a start.

6.- Whats the best way to control you air during a control emergency ascent?
I tend to blow all the air during the first 10 seconds.
NOTE: I did control it during my certification, but it just dont come naturally. Is not that i dont have air... but, since i have the regulator in my mouth, the air comes out really fast.

The important thing on a CESA is keeping your airway open so your lungs don't over inflate. Hopefully now you are qualified you won't need to do it again.

Thats all for now, i would appreciate your comments.

 

[PaulSmithTek]

#1 its called a Biofilter. Do a search in the scubaboard search function. Some people like them some don't.
#3 are you talking about a Hydro-optix mask? See the website here.
http://www.hydrooptix.com/
This is only for people who are nearsighted, or want to wear contacts to make themselves nearsighted.
#5 YES computers are absolutely worth every penny. Many diveboats will not let you dive tables. And no one follows a perfect dive plan (we must stay at exactly 80 feet for exactly 20 minutes, etc), the computer can factor in your ups and downs and keep you out of the chamber. Especially important on repeated dives when you start approaching the no-deco limits.

You are SO lucky to live in such a great place to learn to dive!
Have fun!

1. Get a camel pack where it under your bc backwards and then you can take a drink if your mouth gets dry. (only if you are comfortable taking your regulator out of your mouth while diving.

 

[devolution365]

Yeah, I just looked up the HydroOptics mask, and while it's a cool idea, I really don't want the extra bother of having to put contacts in before using the mask...

Review/Article: http://www.saintbrendan.com/cdnapril04/HydroOptixMaskRev.html

 

[PaulSmithTek]

Check this out. I bought this about a month ago or so, after seeing the link on here...

http://www.deepseasupply.com/page22.html


works great

 

[TheRedHead]

2) West Palm, Jupiter. Better yet, go to the Bahamas. Very good deals to Freeport and Nassau...

5) Yes, I think they are worth it. And you don't have to spend $600.

6) Never put yourself into a position to make a CESA. There is no excuse for running of air.