Newbies on board!

[underachiever]

We are in Newnan, Ga.

"It's a Dive" is the name of the shop in Key Largo. Peachtree Dive Center is the name of the LDC. The same folks own both . They have been very helpful and set up the checkout dive times and the other dives for us. They also have 2-3 trips per month it looks like. One over to a Quarry that is day trip distance (Glencoe) one to Vortex Springs near PC, Fla. and one to Key Largo. So we have no excuse not to enjoy.

What is the next thing we will probably want to purchase?? I figure a regulator. This jumps into a lot of money quickly. Where are the best prices for equipment?? I think we have helped out the local dive shop enough for them to treat us well. I realize they have to make a living. But they do seem a little pricey. But this is the first dive shop I have been in.

I will fill out more profile as I get something to fill in. looking forward to chatting with you guys and gals.

 

[spectrum]

What is the next thing we will probably want to purchase?? I figure a regulator.

Oh boy did you just redirect your thread!

Buy the item most dificult to rent to your satisfaction.

That said the regulator sit is the most universal item and as a new diver any working unit will be fine. Some will say it's your gas supply and rental fleets are not always the best. If it's going to come from your local shop and you trust them you should be OK.

Wetsuit? Being in your owb has certain hygiene appeal and it liberates you to polute it at will.

BC? it the core of what you're doing and materin it is the key to good bupyancy control.

Computer? If $$ are an issue I put it at the end of the list. You can safely make alot of dives with analog instruments and tables. As long as ytou are not making repetetive dives day after day you're all set.

Take your pick,
Pete

 

[underachiever]

We completed our pool and classroom sessions last night. It was great!! It is a little awkward breathing under water. I feel we both did great. My wife did almost surface when we completely pulled off the BC underwater. May have been my fault for not helping her to keep from floating up. But she went up a few feet and then came back down and we got her back into it and she was OK, When the class was over, we were allowed to stay in the pool. We swam around for about 30 minutes without surfacing. Practicing asent and desent and houvering. That was great. We are allowed to use the pool and equipment (for free) for a couple of hours most any night we want to continue to practice (with supervision). I don't know if this is normal for most shops or not but I thought this was great. And we plan on taking advantage. What should we work on between now and the open water dives? Thay will start April 2 in Key Largo. Can't wait!!

 

[underachiever]

So what can we expect in the OWC? Will we get to actually dive and look around or will we still be in a water/class type setting? Are there things that we can work on in the pool over the next couple of weeks so that we can actually get some reef/looking time during the class dives?

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Hey Underachiever -

My husband and I are planning a trip to Key Largo in May - I'd love to hear any recommendations about shops, accommodation - anything at all, really! Who are you going to be diving with?

And, although this may not be new information, there’s a Florida forum here: http://www.scubaboard.com/forumdisplay.php?f=55

Cheers,
Liz

When in May? My fiance (non diver) and I will be in Key Largo from the 1st thru the 7th at Amy Slate's Amoray resort. I'm going down to check them out in order to gather info for recommendations for our customers. I'm a manager/ DM candidate of a shop and would like to meet some people from the board down there. Will be doing the Duane on Tues and Spiegel on Friday with some reef dives in between. Let me know if this fits with your plans and if you'd like to hook up with us.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

So what can we expect in the OWC? Will we get to actually dive and look around or will we still be in a water/class type setting? Are there things that we can work on in the pool over the next couple of weeks so that we can actually get some reef/looking time during the class dives?

You will be in a class type setting with the difference that the classroom will be very near an ocean reef:14: . They will most likely start off similar to your pool sessions on a nice sandy bottom in 30 ft or so of water. You'll do all of the skills you did in the pool over the course of these four dives. You'll also be conducted on a tour on these dives depending on how you do and the schedule. We usually do a short swim around on dive 1 a longer one on dive 2 and so on. If everything goes well you'll finish up your skills on dive 4 and take a nice long leisurely tour as part of this dive. In fact if it goes well this could be 1/2 or more of the dive . Then you will get your logs signed and paperwork completed. At this point they'll probably issue you a temp card and you'll be able to dive on your own:14: . You may need to do it with the same place that issues your card as some ops may not accept a temporary card. Bur either way I suggest going on an organized trip with a DM/and or instructor in the water. It will make it safer and more enjoyable as they'll be able to point things out, give pointers and make sure everything goes ok. Have fun.:11doh:

 

[1_T_Submariner]

Hey Underachiever Enjoy your class

My wife, Son and I are headed to Key Largo next week... Diving with Silent World

There are lots of great places/buisnesses all related to diving there.

 

[Scuba Jerm]

Welcome to scuba! Have a great time in Key Largo!