Question on Dangerous or unprepared

[Mrs.Prages]

We are getting ready to go it on our own for the first time. We have booked a trip to Key Largo in January. We are both OW with a refresher course freshly under our belts.

The question is "How do we know what we are ready for?"

We know our skills we have practiced, but we've never been out in open water unsupervised. We don't know how to read the open water currents yet, so we aren't sure what to expect UW, but we won't ever get any better if we don't go.

How do we know the conditions are right and do we trust the charter company to go to suitable places for inexperienced divers. I know that we are responsible for ourselves, so I am just looking for hints as to how to guage our abilities and what to expect when we go and when to say "no thanks, maybe tomorrow."

 

[AmyJ]

Good questions, ones I have been asking myself, so I hope you get some good answers. We are headed back to Mex. and have talked about doing some unguided shore dives. My biggest concern is the current. I feel that our underwater skills (for normal water) are fine... but I just have this fear of surfacing and finding that I am now in the middle of the ocean with no shore and no boat in sight. Yikes!

 

[Mrs.Prages]

It's comforting to know that others feel the same way.

I always worry that I am just a big ol' worry wart, but Scuba is different, it's great fun, but it is a lot of responsibility and I don't want to take it too lightly.

 

[H2Andy]

mrs. prages, perhaps the easiest way to answer your question is by reminding you
that any diver can call the dive at any time for any reason or no reason at all.

just because you start a dive doesn't mean that you have
to keep diving if you start to feel uncomfortable.


two things of concern:

1. depth. if you are OW, you are certified to 60
feet, which is plenty to do a lot of diving in the Keys.
In fact, most of your diving is going to be shallower than
40 feet (and probably shallower than 30). sounds like
you recently took a refresher, so this shouldn't be
a problem.

2. currents. there can be currents in the Keys, but most
likely they won't bother you too much. always remember
to start your dive INTO the current and then swim back
with the current to your boat.

as always, communication is the key here. talk to your buddy
and make sure you know what the dive plan is. also,
make sure they understand your experience level.

talk to the boat crew and let them know your level of
experience. ask them for advice on local conditions. ask
to be paired with a more experienced diver (unfortunately,
most DM's in the Keys stay with the boat).

and remember, you are in control. you can stop the dive
at any time, for any reason or no reason at all!

 

[divad]

We are getting ready to go it on our own for the first time. We have booked a trip to Key Largo in January. We are both OW with a refresher course freshly under our belts.

The question is "How do we know what we are ready for?"

We know our skills we have practiced, but we've never been out in open water unsupervised. We don't know how to read the open water currents yet, so we aren't sure what to expect UW, but we won't ever get any better if we don't go.

How do we know the conditions are right and do we trust the charter company to go to suitable places for inexperienced divers. I know that we are responsible for ourselves, so I am just looking for hints as to how to guage our abilities and what to expect when we go and when to say "no thanks, maybe tomorrow."

I remember feeling like that. I went to Key Largo too. Its a great place to get your feet wet. Most of the dives are shallow and easy. Just tell them you want to do the shallow dives reef dives, not the Duane or Bibb. The reefs are like a stroll in the garden most of the time.

 

[Randy43068]

It's comforting to know that others feel the same way.

I always worry that I am just a big ol' worry wart, but Scuba is different, it's great fun, but it is a lot of responsibility and I don't want to take it too lightly.

I have the same fears and reservations about diving anything other than a guided tour kind of dive.

Randy

 

[Hank49]

I have the same fears and reservations about diving anything other than a guided tour kind of dive.

Randy

Do what H2Andy says. He's absolutely right about getting all knowledge you can about the dive and the dive site before hand, so there are no surprises.

 

[Mrs.Prages]

These have all been great. I have done tons of research, hence the choice for Key Largo, for the shallower dives and relative calmness.

Thanks again.

BTW,

Hank49

What kind of guitar is that pictured on your avatar? Is it a Les Paul? Hubby is big into guitars, in fact the cash that doesn't go for Scuba usually ends up at Musician's Friend. He just got a gig doing jingles for a local ad shop and does a lot of local bars so I can't complain much about the money he spends, but musicians sure can cost a lot.

 

[Randy43068]

Do what H2Andy says. He's absolutely right about getting all knowledge you can about the dive and the dive site before hand, so there are no surprises.

It's the usual fear for some of us who have never done a thing like it before but not one to keep ME from doing it. I'd like do some shore dives in Florida someplace with someone who knows the area first. Just to get me started, so to speak.

Andy's advice is very good.

Merry Christmas!!

Randy

 

[Hank49]

Hank49

What kind of guitar is that pictured on your avatar? Is it a Les Paul? Hubby is big into guitars, in fact the cash that doesn't go for Scuba usually ends up at Musician's Friend. He just got a gig doing jingles for a local ad shop and does a lot of local bars so I can't complain much about the money he spends, but musicians sure can cost a lot.

It is a Les Paul double cutaway. I downloaded the picture after I bought one just like it. It's different than other LPs in that it's very light weight. I hear you about the expenses. I'm kind of starting a little collection myself. It's fun switching around. Hank