My main point was that a 1st night dive has no need to be a particularly challenging dive. Try doing one (or your first 10) in a shallow, good-vis lake or quarry and you will find that the most overworn dive site is completely different and hugely fun, esp. if there are fish or other critters to see. Buddy with someone more experienced and everyone should carry at least 2 lights.
If I had to take 1st timers in a larger, deeper or otherwise more challenging environment, well (A) I'd be rather unhappy about it. THIS is why we do small-water night dives fairly frequently: so that no one ever needs to be a 1st timer in big water. I would recommend making a route in advance by placing a series of lights on the bottom (we use ancient dive lights the size of 32 gallon drums for this) or maybe a line with lights tied on at set intervals. A brilliant full moon is also a big help. At least for the newbies lights should be 3/diver so it is extremly unlikely that a stressed person would be w/o a light.
I don't distain the value of education but I don't like new divers being boondoggled into believing that they must always pay cash for each and every advance in their diving experience. You can often find a way to make the fence lower, or get someone to help you over and into the realm of some new experience. In general I would check on whether most agencies seem to think a certain activity requires a course. If they do, get proper instruction from a certiied instructor. If not, consider your options before opening your wallet. You might be able to join a night event somewhere, or buy a more experienced diver a pizza for taking you on your 1st night dive in an otherwise low-challenge environment.
If I had to take 1st timers in a larger, deeper or otherwise more challenging environment, well (A) I'd be rather unhappy about it. THIS is why we do small-water night dives fairly frequently: so that no one ever needs to be a 1st timer in big water. I would recommend making a route in advance by placing a series of lights on the bottom (we use ancient dive lights the size of 32 gallon drums for this) or maybe a line with lights tied on at set intervals. A brilliant full moon is also a big help. At least for the newbies lights should be 3/diver so it is extremly unlikely that a stressed person would be w/o a light.
I don't distain the value of education but I don't like new divers being boondoggled into believing that they must always pay cash for each and every advance in their diving experience. You can often find a way to make the fence lower, or get someone to help you over and into the realm of some new experience. In general I would check on whether most agencies seem to think a certain activity requires a course. If they do, get proper instruction from a certiied instructor. If not, consider your options before opening your wallet. You might be able to join a night event somewhere, or buy a more experienced diver a pizza for taking you on your 1st night dive in an otherwise low-challenge environment.
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