Newly certified in MD

[Linthorn]

Hi,

I am a new diver still waiting for my PADI C-card. Took my classes in Annapolis, but skipped the CO dives that my class took in "Lake" Rawlings VA. Instead, I took my referral to Fajardo Puerto Rico, did the CO dives Saturday (Aug 21st) and Sunday (22nd) then boarded a cruise ship (same day) to the eastern/southern Caribbean.

I’ve logged 10 dives so far in : PR (4), Barbados (2), St Lucia (2), and St. Thomas (2). I sure do burn air though. Need to breathe less.

My trip was pretty good in getting me a variety of experience:
8 boat dives, 2 shore dives
4 drift dives
1 wreck dive (Lesleen M in St Lucia)
1 dive to over 80 feet (DM was an instructor)
1 reverse roll entry (my first - lost my snorkel on entry (snaps in) had to find it on the bottom)
5 rolls of film exposed (let's see if they come out).

I do believe PADI has an adventure dive for everything I've done. Shame I don't get credit for them.

Anyway, hello to all

Linthorn Elentir

 

[J1M1]

Hi,
I am a new diver still waiting for my PADI C-card. Took my classes in Annapolis, Linthorn Elentir

Hey man, drop me an e-mail if you would like to get together and do some dives. Im diving all the time in and around maryland and off our coast..JD
jaydee197@yahoo.com

 

[DandyDon]

Super! :biggrinpi Good start. And don't worry; all newbies burn air fast. It'll get better with practice.
:dazzler1:

 

[SquattingRadishDM]

I think it is good that you managed to finish your course then go and do 10 dives, many divers (including me) do there Open Water then dont go diving for a while and it can leave you rusty (i found scuba reviews were useful).

It can understand why it may be annoying that the dives you did COULD have gone towards your Advanced Open Water. As you clocked up boat, drift, deep and wreck dives. However collecting expirience is better than collecting c-cards and right now its all about learning to be comfortable, breathing right and bouyancy control. I guess you'll just have to go on another cruise to get ur AOW....dang!

Air consumption will decrease in time.

Happy diving and welcome to the board.

-Jack

 

[Doc Intrepid]

Welcome to the board. You'll likely find that the information available is either useful or entertaining, or both. If you have a few hours to kill, try using the Search button to check out past threads, there are several years worth of wisdom on nearly any subject you'd care to inquire about.

Dive Safe,

Doc

 

[frenchy07]

Hey congrats on your learning curve. I got my c-card just yesterday (gave some to aware just so I can have the beloved manatee on the front). Looks like you are going whole hog and having fun, just the way I wish I could.

Welcome and enjoy

Brian

 

[sharkdiver00]

Welcome to the board and congratulations on having done your cert dives in such a nice place. Sounds like you had a good trip. Now, don't forget that diving is like many other things you learn... you have to take it slow and enjoy the scenery, also stay within depth limits as you gain confidence and experience.

safe diving,
Maria

 

[Linthorn]

Thanks for all the kind words. I really never intended to do so much, I just booked some dives and you "take what you get". After going I just noticed that it makes quite an experience base. (from an "I done it once" perspective). Good variation, and boosted my confidence considerably.

I'm an old guy (~40) so I am more conservative than some. The 80' dive had me a tad intimidated, but I told the DM I was a newbie, and went for it. Surprisingly similiar to 30'. I discovered that deep dives get very short (air consumption) and learned that the stuff higher up is just as cool to look at.

 

[Tuckster]

So how would you rate your dives ?? I'm deciding between St Lucia, Barbados. Aruba, & Mayan Riviera.

 

[Linthorn]

Two or three days after certification all dives are fantastic. Tough call to rate them, very similar. The wreck in St. Lucia was pretty good. Probably St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Thomas, but that's like scoring 9.0, 8.9, 8.5. None were bad. The East coast of Puerto Rico has lower visibility, and the coral isn't as complex. Probably lowest score there, although I heard the south is great.