Ocean Diving

[The Light Eternal]

Take some dramamine or other anti-nausea meds.

 

[lowviz]

Hey guys Im fairly new to diving, I've done a few lake dives in C.T. with low Vis and only about 15 feet of water. However this weekend I have my first ocean dive and I'm just looking for any advice you'd be willing to offer I'm alitle nervous to be 60ft below the surface so any help would be much appreciated
thanks guys
Mike

Checkout dives with a group or will it be an open boat? Wetsuit? Do you know where you are going? I'm assuming you would say so right off, so let's talk in generalizations, no loss. Intact, upright, reef ship? Let me know and I'll proceed.

 

[remmy137]

I have dove mostly in the Puget Sound, and a bit in Roatan. All of my training has been in cold "ocean" water. Viz is generally about 15-30'. The only difference between 14' and 80' is that you use air at deeper depths, it might be a little darker and colder, its easier to maintain buoyancy at deeper depths, and the number on you guage. I have dove lakes around southern WA. It was cool for the first time but it was nothing compared to the life in the salt waters. Recommendation: go with someone who has been there done that because currents can be a problem and its also could be a good comfort for you.

 

[DandyDon]

Hire a private DM for the first few divers. Money well spent.

 

[Mflann41]

Thanks for the advice guys I'm diving this saturday and we are going out of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina were going to a sunken WWII fighter Jet and a Tug Boat between 50 and 60 feet of water and around 70 degree temperature I will be wearing a wetsuit and all new equipment this is my first ocean dive and i have one more after this to get certified but with all the help you guys have offered I'm not worried anymore I'm really looking forward to a great first ocean dive experience

 

[DandyDon]

i have one more after this to get certified

Oh. Ok after your certified, hire a DM as a buddy first day or two of diving - in addition to all the other good suggestions.

 

[lulubelle]

Thanks for the advice guys I'm diving this saturday and we are going out of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina were going to a sunken WWII fighter Jet and a Tug Boat between 50 and 60 feet of water and around 70 degree temperature I will be wearing a wetsuit and all new equipment this is my first ocean dive and i have one more after this to get certified but with all the help you guys have offered I'm not worried anymore I'm really looking forward to a great first ocean dive experience

Oh good, that is in a protected area so you won't have tough conditions to deal with. But it's still ocean. Have a great time.

 

[lowviz]

Thanks for the advice guys I'm diving this saturday and we are going out of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina were going to a sunken WWII fighter Jet and a Tug Boat between 50 and 60 feet of water and around 70 degree temperature I will be wearing a wetsuit and all new equipment this is my first ocean dive and i have one more after this to get certified but with all the help you guys have offered I'm not worried anymore I'm really looking forward to a great first ocean dive experience

Very nice start.

Stay safe and enjoy!

 

[JCAT]

Thanks for the advice guys I'm diving this saturday and we are going out of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina were going to a sunken WWII fighter Jet and a Tug Boat between 50 and 60 feet of water and around 70 degree temperature I will be wearing a wetsuit and all new equipment this is my first ocean dive and i have one more after this to get certified but with all the help you guys have offered I'm not worried anymore I'm really looking forward to a great first ocean dive experience

It might be a little cooler.

 

[lulubelle]

It might be a little cooler.

Agreed, welcome to the bottom temperature optimism of the Mid Atlantic dive industry. Right now in NC, offshore, where the gulf stream warms things up a bit, I think it is running in the low to mid 60s. Can't speak for Murrells inlet, or SC for that matter, but it is most definitely inshore, so I'm thinking it will be low to mid 60s. Wear a hood or something and you'll survive.