Oklahoma diver (oxymoron?)

[SnorkelFlorida]

Hi everyone!

I am a student in Oklahoma, I've lived in Oklahoma all my life and have only had the opportunity to visit the ocean a few times - mostly at Galveston but once in Destin. I've wanted to go scuba diving for a while now but being a thousand or so miles from any beach I just haven't had the opportunity! Destin turned out to be too cold when I went. But back to the student part, I have an internship coming up in September in Hollywood, Florida! I plan to dive a few times.

I am going to find a class here in Oklahoma and get certified and do a few practice dives before I go.

Anyone have any suggestions for me? I have a lot of questions! Where is a good place to learn in Oklahoma (I'm in Stillwater)? What courses do I need and from what association and which certification? Do I need to buy any equipment or should I just rent? What kind of swimming skills do you need to dive? I can certainly swim laps and tread water and I'm fine in a pool or lake, but the waves in the ocean can really throw me around. I'm also concerned about the weight of all the equipment - I'm very small - 5'1" and 100# and not very strong. And finally - where should I go in this area?'

Thanks to anyone with helpful hints!

 

[mrfixitchapman]

Oxy Moron

DC

 

[Kahu]

You should be able to go to the organization Websites like PADI or NAUI and get a list of dive shops/clubs in your area that can do the classes. If you can't find one let me know and I'll get you some references. There's a LOT of diving going on well within the landlocked states, so don't feel left out, you just may find yourself dressing up more, than say, I do down in St Croix. 8^)

The basic open water course is something they all have to start you out, but some places can do a briefer version called A Discovery Dive (or similar) that can get you under the water in 2-3 hours and see if you're gonna like it. All of the places I've seen or read about count the $$ and time towards your full certification too, so it's time and money well spent... 'course you can just jump in and take the full course if you're that sure... hehe

Swimming skills.. that's where my challenge was. I sink like a rock, well, my body's natural buoyancy puts me several feet under the surface, but not all the way to the bottom, unless I totally exhale. You'll have to tread water a while, swim a certain distance... doesn't sound like you'll have a problem in this area. The instructor/dive shop can let you know all the things you'll be asked to do, but they're pretty patient and you read about it, then get hands-on instruction beforehand so it's not a hard transition. 8^)

The good thing about those waves in the ocean is, you only have to deal with 'em briefly, then you're under them and they're much less of an issue. 8^D

As for the weight of the equipment.. yeah, that can be a little daunting, but you don't have to hit the 'roids to bulk up on the gym equipment. If you stick with boat dives, the crew will usually help you on and off as a matter of course, regardless if you're young, old, less of strength, whatever. You could have your weights separate on a belt rather than integrated into the BC (which is my pref) so that each piece is lighter individually. There's a range of equipment that you could checkout and choose the lighter choices, but the mass pounds will come from the weights you will have, and the tank primarily. During the class you'll have plenty of opportunities to get familiar with all the equipment and the instructor may very well have some tips for handling the gear that will help you. I've seen instructors your size, so it's not an insurmountable obstacle at all. If you're renting gear for a boat dive, you won't even have to worry about transporting it to/from the boat! hehe... But there are a lot of gear bags on the market that can help you out if/when you get your own gear.

Get interested, get in class, get in the water!

)

 

[tk trekers]

Don't worry about the weight of the equipment, underwater you won't notice it. My kids just did the adventure scuba intro dives last weekend and my youngest daughter is 9 and had no problems with the equipment in the water and she weighs in at less than 70 pounds. Other than that I'm new also and can't offer up much more in the way of information or suggestions for you.

 

[SnorkelFlorida]

Thanks guys, that is super helpful and I have a jumping off point now. And the oxymoron thing is funny!

 

[mudhole]

SnorkleFlorida, we have to help you change your name to Oklahoma Diver. . . There is a lot of Oklahoma diving, and there has been since the 1950's, 60's, 70'etc. There are a lot of dive shops in Oklahoma City and suburbs, two dive shops in Tulsa, two dive shops at lake Tenkiller, with the only Oklahoma underwater park. . . there are a lot of divers there at Oklahoma State University, and probably a dive class there too.

As for lessons, there is a whole alphabet of agencies, and each will give you a card at the end of training and open water dives. . . visit as many of the Oklahoma City, or Tulsa, or Tenkiller dive shops, and sign up for lessons with the instructor you're most comfortable with. Prices will range from $150 complete, to almost $300 for the full class. Search your campus messages, there are several students and staff, that I meet at Tenkiller park frequently.

In your vet studies if you have an interest, There are a lot of commercial aquariums that need vets. . . Go visit the Aquarium in Jenks, just southwest of Tulsa.

You can take your classroom and pool portions of the class in one location, then take your open water portion of the certification, another time or another location. Many instructors in our area, run the class and pool work, this time of year, and do the open water work, later, when the lakes warm up.

If you would like more information from me, click on Mudhole and PM me, about anything about Oklahoma diving, and Fresh water jellyfish, Freshwater eels, Brytozoa and many other fresh water creatures.