Question for the Masses

[LV2BDVN]

I have been lurking for a few weeks since my first post and my final pool dives. I am about to complete my OWD in 2 weeks and I am excited. Here is my dilemma: I asked my instructor what class he recommended next after completing the OWD, and he said SSI Deep Diver and my LDS is offering the Deep Diver class in June.

I am interested in furthering my knowledge and skills and always want to learn something new. The biggest problem I have right now is a lack of money. My question is this: would my money be better spent on just this one course and its knowledge and dives or use the same money towards a few local dives in our local lake (which is where I am doing my OWD dives and probably doing a lot of dives if not on the coast of SC).

I have been reading through a lot of posts on the pros and cons on people wanting to go "deep" immediately. I don't necessarily put myself in that group. I just love being underwater whenever and however. As I stated in my greeting, I've been waiting for this since I was eight, so I'm in no rush now, but I would hate to miss out on a buddy dive because I'm not certified at that depth. I also want to get my own equipment as well, but I want to get to a certain level first, before I start making any purchases.

Please let me know your thoughts and ideas on this,

Thanks,

LV2BDVN

 

[warmwaterturner]

I certified through SSI. From there I took Nitrox, Navigation, then Stress and Rescue. I will get to "Deep" but when I am ready to finish AOW. I personally feel that I want more experience before needing to break the 100' mark....but that is just me

 

[tflaris]

As a SSI Instructor I would recommend diving in shallow comfortable environments. This gives you a chance to develope muscle memory and practice good habits learned in class. Then take a SSI Nitrox class which essential doubles your bottom time from 50 to 100' when compared to diving air tables. Select some other specialites which interest you and continue learning.

The only way to become a good diver is to dive.

Skills, Knowledge, Equipment and Experience.

Safe Diving



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[H2O 70]

How about you just get a bunch of dives done over the upcoming season and take FirstAid/CPR and some sort of O₂ provider. You've got access to a fair amount of dives that are >100fsw in SC.

Depending upon where you want to go with your diving career, I'd suggest doing different specialties. If you see yourself going pro, your going to need specific specialties.

This year you can dive and get all that first aid stuff done, which is very good to know as a diver, especially the O₂ stuff. Next year you can do your advanced and Rescue, for which you will need an O_w2 and FirstAid/CPR cert done in the last two years.

As mentioned, NITROX, is not a bad course as well. You can get that done for >$150. It is mostly a theoretical certification.

 

[OldNSalty]

Did you drop something really important in 100' of water?

I would wait unless the only diving in your area is deep. Find a mentor and go diving.

 

[emoreira]

I would suggest get more experience (dives) up to your experience level. Learn to trim yourself, to achieve good neutral flotability, to use the gear, increase your SAC. See what's outside (dive trips, places to dive, things to do). Then decide where to go or which speciality course take.
Rent gear in those first dives so as you can learn what's and what's not good for you. Then decide what to buy if new or used. Something can be bought used, some must be bought new.
Spend your money diving, instead of taking courses and buying gear that can rented.

 

[LV2BDVN]

Thanks guys for all of the ideas. I believe I am going to go with all of you and NOT do the Deep Diving course for now. The only reason I was thinking of doing it was because they were offering it, my instructor said it was good (due to learning about harmful effects of NO2 Narc), and my cousin wants to dive the Vandenberg in Oct.
Right now, they only offering Navigation (2 days after my OWD ends), Search & Recovery, Stress & Rescue, Wreck Diver, and Deep Diver.
Based on what you all have said, and from what I've read on the Net, I don't really qualify for Search & Recovery or Stress Rescue (my CPR cert isnt up to date).
I may either see if they have any local sponsored diving or do the navigation. The Nitrox cert wouldnt be bad if they offered it, but they said it doesnt have any dives, just academics.
I appreciate you all taking the time to give me advice. as Tflaris said, the only way to become a better diver is to dive. I want to do that as much as possible
I will keep checking with the LDS and see if anything else comes open . the Night diving also interests me, as I am hoping to one day get down to Charleston and dive in the Cooper River for Sharks teeth. But that has to wait awhile, until I the transition to the underwater world is 2nd nature.

Thanks again all.

 

[RikRaeder]

I'd say get in at least 25 more dives before you consider more training. If you want to increase your diving knowledge read the PADI Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving. Very informative

 

[diver 85]

Dollar wise??---I'd get more time in without the advanced class just yet, there's always time for that 'down the road'...You have A LOT of 'stuff' to work on after your OWC....find a buddy or 2 that wants to do the same or 1 that is further along that you can dive with, either one will work....

Always remember, LDS's love new divers to take the advanced classes---soon...(keeps their cash registers ringing, ....more)

 

[SkimFisher]

Get comfortable in the water first. Dive a lot. Make sure that you can commit yourself to the sport. I know a lot of guys that get into it for the first month or so and then rarely ever dive and all the certifications they rushed into getting become a waste. They forget what they learned, their trim sucks, they're still sucking down their gas, etc, etc.

Certifications beyond OW are a waste of time and money if you aren't diving regularly. Certifications don't make you a good diver. Diving makes you a good diver.