realdiver7
Contributor
Hello everyone...just wanted to introduce myself and also find out of there are any other ScubaBoard members from the Wilmington, NC area. I have been diving for the past 10 years and am currently a PADI Instructor. Most of my diving has been off the coast of NC on the many wrecks and reefs at depths of 45-110 ft, although I have some quarry, lake, and waterway diving experience. I enjoy teaching, but mostly I enjoy a relaxed style of diving, wreck diving, underwater photography, treasure hunting, shark dives, and the occasional spearfishing trip (I only spear what I will eat).
I have done a lot of research here on SB and have found a wealth of knowledge (and opinions) from new divers to the high tech ones. Just have to keep reminding myself of two major things: 1) Everyone has their own opinions of everything; and 2) Buy and use what I will need for my local diving environment and my own individual diving habits. I guess you can see I have developed opinions too! I am more of a recreational/instructional diver, and not much of a technical diver.
Sometimes I take advantage of charter boat operations, but now I mainly just dive with friends who have boats. My gear has ranged from a jacket bcd, to integrated weight rear inflation bcds, to integrated weight harness/backplate/wings. Regulators have been piston and diaphram, with and without swivels and environmental seals. Exposure protection has ranged from shorty, to 3MM, 6MM, 6.5MM 2-piece, and currently a trilaminate dry suit. Dive computers have always been a part of my safety/simplicity plan. A unique part of my diving experience has, unfortunately, included being on a boat with a diver who developed a case of DCS, "the bends." He survived the experience with the assistance of a Coast Guard helicopter ride, but it emphasized the seriousness and potential consequences of this sport for me early in my diving career. In other words, I learned to dive conservatively from the beginning. Most everything since then has been very fun and exciting!
Networking with other divers is a great way to meet new dive buddies and experience new dive adventures, locations, etc. I think we can all contribute to each other's safety and enjoyment by combining our knowledge and experiences. I hope to meet other divers and experience new dive locations. If you have any questions or comments about diving in this area, any instructor-related training issues, equipment questions, etc., feel free to post a reply.
Let's go diving!
Barry
I have done a lot of research here on SB and have found a wealth of knowledge (and opinions) from new divers to the high tech ones. Just have to keep reminding myself of two major things: 1) Everyone has their own opinions of everything; and 2) Buy and use what I will need for my local diving environment and my own individual diving habits. I guess you can see I have developed opinions too! I am more of a recreational/instructional diver, and not much of a technical diver.
Sometimes I take advantage of charter boat operations, but now I mainly just dive with friends who have boats. My gear has ranged from a jacket bcd, to integrated weight rear inflation bcds, to integrated weight harness/backplate/wings. Regulators have been piston and diaphram, with and without swivels and environmental seals. Exposure protection has ranged from shorty, to 3MM, 6MM, 6.5MM 2-piece, and currently a trilaminate dry suit. Dive computers have always been a part of my safety/simplicity plan. A unique part of my diving experience has, unfortunately, included being on a boat with a diver who developed a case of DCS, "the bends." He survived the experience with the assistance of a Coast Guard helicopter ride, but it emphasized the seriousness and potential consequences of this sport for me early in my diving career. In other words, I learned to dive conservatively from the beginning. Most everything since then has been very fun and exciting!
Networking with other divers is a great way to meet new dive buddies and experience new dive adventures, locations, etc. I think we can all contribute to each other's safety and enjoyment by combining our knowledge and experiences. I hope to meet other divers and experience new dive locations. If you have any questions or comments about diving in this area, any instructor-related training issues, equipment questions, etc., feel free to post a reply.
Let's go diving!
Barry
