Now Certfied - But Major Second Thoughts on Diving

[1080iAddict]

Hi everyone....

Well, I got my OW certification on October 31 of this year because a few buddies of mine want to dive in the Keys in January. One of those buddies already is certfied, and myself and my other buddy each got our cards for this upcoming trip. I have no second thoughts for that trip because I trust these guys and will feel comfortable.

However, as luck would have it my wife planned our family vacation on a Disney Cruise that leaves Dec 27 - Jan 3. The ship stops in Cayman Islands and Cozzumel, among other stops. So, I put 2 + 2 together and realized "holy cow...I am now certfied and I can dive at the shore excursions!!" So, I signed up for the dive excursions run through the Disney Cruise. Each excursion is a 2 tank trip at 80-90 feet for first dive followed by 40-50 feet for 2nd dive.

I now have 2nd thoughts and need help. I have never been on a cruise, period, let alone a dive excursion, and further let alone a dive excursion where I dont know anyone. I have no details at all on this excursion. You just sign up and its $89.00 each. I asked the Disney rep for more info, and they gave me the telephone number for the Mexico Chamber of Commerce! WTF? :06:

So, here I am reading the threads on this Board. I come across the "things that can go wrong at 84 feet" thread and, honestly, I got spooked. I mean, I went through the certification fine. I cleared my mask underwater fine. I did the drills fine. I did the CESA fine. I only got 2 wrong on the final (because they were BAD questions :10: ).

But I am very nervous to the point of cancelling. This will be my first dives other than the quarry certification dives - and these dives go to 90 feet. I dont know anyone and thus will get a buddy I dont even know. As a lawyer, I remember the Bar Exam and the guy next to me that had no idea what he was doing - but my life did not depend on that guy as it does here. I keep reading about scarry stuff on this Board and the day I signed up I hear about the 84 year old guy that was left in the ocean for 18 hours. What if I miss the Boat? What if I miss the CRUISE departure time cause the Boat is late? I was never nervous at all during my certification dives like some of the other folks. I think I can do this... but now I have second thoughts.

Has anyone done these cruise ship dive excursions? On Disney? Will it be OK? Am I just being silly here or will it all be fine?

- Adam

 

[jonnythan]

Don't worry about, remember your training, stay close to your buddy, and have a good time.

Don't cancel, you'll have a blast.

 

[jbisjim]

Disney and other cruise lines contract with local shops to take you diving. I have been diving on a Disney cruiseline, Royal Caribean, Costa, Holland America and Carnival. Some were more fun than others, but I never had an issue. My wife does not dive so I goit alone i have got to meet a lot of friends over the years. I have lugged all my gear on those ship time and time again. The only thing bad is i couldn't get enough diving in. And I never saw some of the ports, becasue i was diving all the time.


You will be fine

 

[FreeFloat]

Besides, if the 84 year old guy you're referring to is the recent incident about which i've been reading, I believe he was freediving (solo) off his own boat when it slipped its anchor and sailed away without him. Completely different than you're worried about.

 

[Hank49]

Tell the dive master exactly what you wrote here, then he can probably let you do a warm up shore dive and do your skills again in sea water. Get your bouyancy and weighting figured out since it will be a bit more than in the quarry. It's normal to be a bit nervous but like Johhythan said, just go and have a blast. Once you hit the clear, warm water, you'll be hooked forever.

 

[jbisjim]

Make you tell us how it went too.

Hank is right, once you hit the clear water, you'll be glad you did it

 

[miketsp]

Just remember that the accident rate on this sort of dive is pretty low. Things get blown out of proportion on this board at times.
The one thing I've learnt is you have to make the most of your opportunities otherwise you live regretting it forever.

 

[mikedarmody]

I did something similar a few years ago. We were to take our first cruise and I saw it as a diving opportunity. Problem was the cruise line required a c-card. So I went and got certified (OW). I was a little apprehensive in the same way you are. I felt fine with my ability and knowing limits. But who would I buddy with?? Bottomline - we dove in Jamaica, Caymans and Cozumel with experienced dive outfits, kinda leaning towards the cattle car approach, but with an extreme view towards safety which was good. All the DMs were good about making sure you had a buddy or you went in small (groups 3-4) with a DM. In fact, I never thought about the buddy issues after hitting the water and doing my weight check. Go for it. It'll open the door to diving's fun and adventure.

btw: you'll probably build your confidence to the point where in the future you cannot believe you once dove in herds (or is that schools)

 

[herman]

Hi Adam,

I would suggest you reconsider doing the dives. With really no actual (non instructed) dives under your weightbelt, dives to 90ft are IMHO not a good idea. Add to that you have no idea who your buddy will be (are they the one who barely passed their class with a poor instructor...who knows) and you have the potential for a very bad dive. Do you feel you can deal with a panicked diver at 90 ft? The dives will be there next time, you want to be there as well.
Wait and go with the people you are confident with, get some experience and then go back to the cruise.

 

[Mrs.Prages]

My hubbie and I got our certification on a cruise. We spent the whole cruise in classes in the on ship pool and doing our OW in the carribean. At all of the stops the rest of the divers would meet up on the dock and head to their shore excursions. They were always with local dive shops and they all seemed to be run very well. It was a lot like being on a cattle boat, and having been in the army I kknow my way around a cattle bus or two, but the DMs and guides were great and I always met really great people.

Just be friendly and have a great time. You won't be the only nervous one out there. At every excursion there were always a few people who had gotten their wings in a quarry, but they always came out of the water smiling.

Don't let the nervousness talk you out of it. Just Be Smart and Have FUN.