New to scuba... from OKC...

[dewayne405]

Hello to everyone. My fiancee and I are brand new to scuba, and are looking into PADI training here in OKC...

And was actually wondering if any of the "experienced" DMs/ Instructors out there could give some advice to two 30ish year olds, with less than ideal bodies... on what we should expect during training, ie.. weight/buoyancy issues...

My background: 5' 10" 295-300... overweight, yes I know, but also lots of muscle too...
Hers: 5'6" 200... And she'll kill me if some wise cracker makes any ill fated remarks...

We are both actively exercising, and dieting to get the pounds down, but are heading to Couples Swept Away in July 2008 for our honeymoon, and I am not going to pass on the opportunity to scuba dive in such a pretty location, especially with this being a life long desire.

Also any divers from our area?? We'd love to find a group to learn and experience all of divings aspects with...

 

[LIVES4SHARKS]

WELCOME TO :sblogo:
The best kind of training to do is cardio! The less you have to work, the more air you have to breathe! For recreational diving, you are more than "fit" for comfy diving. I am not a petite girl myself, pretty solid but am working towards more difficult diving, so I have been doing TAE BO. That will definitely get your heart working! There are many forums here for any questions you might have! Plus there are many of us who are happy to dispense information!

Happy diving!
Carolyn:sharks:

 

[1_T_Submariner]

Welcome to Scubaboard.

For Local links try here:
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/mid-west-muck-divers/

For Divr fitness questions try here:
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/dive-into-fitness/

Good luck with your classes and have a great trip.

 

[dewayne405]

We are very excited to be heading to Jamaica... Booked our trip Friday, and definitely ready to be experiencing a life long desire to learn to Scuba Dive, and do it right and safely....

Just hoping we can meet up with some nice people there, who don't mind two novice whales joining the pod...

 

[underwasser bolt]

I am a big guy myself. I enjoy diving and could care less what other people think about my size. I have seen a lot of people bigger than me (or you) diving. Just enjoy it, relax, and come up with a plan for a lifestyle that will allow you to become more fit and dive more. Being a bit heavy will not effect you much in your 30's. 50's and 60's may be a different story.

 

[asymmetries]

Greetings from the Oklahoma City Metro.

There are several places that are decent dive spots nearby. Lake Elmer Thomas (currently 15'-20' viz 75+ deg.), Lake Murray (about the same), and generally Lake Tenkiller (though Tenkiller is currently flooded and has less than five foot viz).

Local diving here will really make you appreciate the view in Jamaica all the more. (congratulations by the way)

As far as weight/buoyancy issues, just realize that adipose tissue (fat) is less dense than muscle, so you will be wearing more lead than someone of equal weight whose body composition is greater muscle mass. Really though it isn't all that much of a concern.

Eric

 

[KeysCuda]

Lot of bigger people become excellent divers because it's an environment where body mass doesn't matter quite so much. Assuming you're properly weighted for neutral bouyancy.
I speak from first-hand experience, since I spent too many years carrying too much weight before losing enough to get back within normal parameters.
The weight affected a lot, but not my diving.