Plan for n00b

[Kinsman]

Hello all; thanks for a great site.

Rank n00b; good ocean swimmer/lousy surfer with some snorkel experience: did some of that at beaches around San Diego. La Jolla cove and Sunset Cliffs, and some Oregon rivers, just farting around. Dreamed of scuba all my life and now it’s time.

I’d like some opinions and advice.

The plan:

Enroll in PADI OW/referral. Do eLearning online, then confined water with local shop in hometown Missoula, then referral to OW portion in (probably) Cozumel. Due to work constraints, OW would have to be 8-10 weeks later. Not optimal, I know.

What do you think of overall plan, and any recommendations for an outfit in Mexico to complete the OW portion? Things to be aware of, or any other ideas would be most welcome.

Thanks all.

 

[HamTrainChickenLaser]

Sounds good to me!!!!! Surprised nobody has answered you yet! And are you actually a Kinsman? Are you related to the Ohio Kinsmans?

 

[Kinsman]

Possible, if they came out of Saskatchewan earlier.

 

[HamTrainChickenLaser]

Possible, if they came out of Saskatchewan earlier.

I need to ask somebody in the family!!

Here is another thought for your open water. Have you thought about Utila? That might save you a few bucks. On July 20th my cousin and I will land on Roatan and then take the ferry over to Utila. He is doing his open water and I will get rescue diver and deep diver. You should join us!!! I'm not saying that abandoning your responsibilities for diving is the best idea, but I can tell you that it is working out really well for me so far!

 

[arkstorm]

Your plan is ideal actually. Take the extra time to go slow with the pool/confined water sessions. Hone those skills and by the time you show up for your check out dives you will be ahead of the curve.

 

[KenE]

Don't rush anything. Take your time, you will find this is good advice throughout your diving addiction. Good instruction is the key, but I know that is hard to define when you are new to the addiction. If your gut tells you that the instruction is not good, find someone else, your gut is usually correct. The training agency is not as critical as the instructor. Wait on major equipment purchases until you know what you like, do some searches here on SB for ideas, you will have more opinions than you need. Remember, what works for me or anyone else may not work for you. Find what works for you so you can continue to enjoy this addiction. And, always, keep diving!

 

[DreadnoughtNH]

Welcome to the addiction: less expensive than boating, potentially more expensive than drugs.

Your plan appears great. If you are able, I'd suggest maybe a refresher in the pool (if your shop will permit it) before you head out to your referral just so some of the fundamentals are fresh in your head.

Regarding the OW referral: Cozumel is a great spot for diving (among my favorites in the Caribbean), but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it for OW referral dives (or OW courses). Reason: current; most of the diving in Coz has moderate to strong current which -- while not unmanageable-- is an added challenge on your journey if you are at all nervous. I would second the recommendation of Utila, or try Roatan for referral.

Regarding equipment purchases; resist the temptation to buy anything other than a well-fitting mask. 'You know nothing, John Snow" should be your watchwords, and buying gear based on other people's recommendations (including SB ) this early in the journey is expensive. You'll figure out how you like to dive and what gear matches your preferences as you dive more. If you do fall in love with a piece of gear, watch the used market as it can save you $$$ on quality equipment.

Wishing you the best on your new addiction!

 

[Doc Harry]

Good plan.

I recommend renting all of your equipment until you've been out diving and see your options. Gear is expensive, get a better feel for what does and doesn't work for you before buying anything. Don't cave to pressure from your local dive shop.

From day #1 I absolutely HATED the jacket bouyancy compensator but I didn't understand why it was so bad or what my other options were. Took me a while to figure out my gear needs.

I bought Mares regs in the beginning and then learned that I had to send them out of country for annual servicing. I am sure that's gotten better over the past couple of decades, but you get the picture.

Many things to consider about gear that you don't even know yet.

 

[xanaphyst]

A couple of take aways from my very limited experience as a new OW diver:

The online knowledge portion is very easy but time consuming so start early.
I hired a DM for my first dives and I learned a lot of practical things not taught in class.
I don't recommend a rough water boat drift dive for your first real experience
Equipment is cheap on Facebook marketplace.
The industry is heavy BS .... regulator tech hasn't changed much and the old stuff is just fine.
Ditching weights is a carry over from old school diving .....not very practical these days
Aqualung i330r is a great first dive computer