Questions..

[TexasMike]

I'll second Herman's suggestion here.

When I was a new diver (read under 12 dives), my control in the shallow end of the "pool" was horrible. I was either overweighted, or too buoyant, causing me to be all over the place in the vertical water column.

Now after lots of shallow dives less than 30 feet, my control is way better. I've got my weighting correct for my gear configs, and I am now able to stick to a particular depth with more ease.

Seeing how deep you can go is an exciting thing for a new diver, especially since this is a new world you are exploring. But while there are neat things to see at 100 feet and below, there is a whole lot more to see in the shallow end as well. Shallow often means more sunlight, which translates into more marine life, depending on the dive area.

 

[jmsdiver]

According to PADI, as that seems to be the going quotes above, after OW, they recommend 60 feet max until you get AOW, more experience, or dive with someone with more experience such as a dive pro. At that point they recommend 100 feet. Now, there is no card reader at 60 feet asking for an AOW card and some opponents would say that AOW doesn't qualify you for deeper dives either. This is because PADI states that one can get AOW right after they complete training dive #4. Now, in my opinion, one needs to work on their basic skills first before attempting to go deeper. Doing a 100 foot wall dive without good bouyancy skills is a recipe for disaster.

So, I will third the suggestion above: work on your basic skills in a shallow location (30-40 feet max) and practice practice practice so that those skills that you learned in OW are reflexive. Furthermore, you have to ask youself, "Why do I want to go deep?" If you are in the carribean, most of the things that you want to look at are going to be shallower than 60 feet; there really isn't much more after that that doesn't look the same as 60 feet or shallower. If you are in a dark cold lake or ocean, what do you hope to see deeper? You need an objective.

So, to sum up: get experience by diving shallower and practicing your basic OW skills till they are reflexive. Then start slowly working your way deeper. Don't forget to get knowledge and skills as you work deeper. There are tons of classes out there and different philosophies.

Cheers!

 

[DivingGal]

some of the Ontario NDI-ers got together for a fun time on Friday night, and were discussing diving (go figure). By the time next season really gets going, we figure not only will you be certified, but you'll be ready to come out and "play". We'll keep in touch, and when we've got solid plans for a dive someone will be touch.

There are many, many locations (lots including wrecks) that fall in the below 60' range. Most are near (within 2 hrs or so) to your home.

 

[tombiowami]

Something else to consider...

When I first started I wanted to go deeper also, its only logical for a lot us. But, after actually doing some diving and understanding the tables, going deep really limits your diving times. I forget right off, but if I stay under 40 I can dive a couple hours, and at 100' its a few minutes.

My history is that I have waited until at least 25 dives in quarries and springs to go deep diving in the ocean, which I will start next spring here in NC. I also got my AOW cert. There is a lot of difference in going deep in a clear spring, and in the middle of the ocean with animals, current, waves, dive boats, anchor lines, etc. thrown in the mix. All of this goes into task loading which is always on my mind.

Something else to think about, it is actually a lot harder getting trim and bouyancy a shallow depths than deeper due to the gas expansion laws.

Also, by going deeper before you are really ready stresses you out, you become an air hog, and people don't want to dive with you. It is all about slow, comfy, and good form.

Tommy