Retired guy in Florida

[Crusty Bob]

Hello all. Thanks for adding me to the crew.
I was certified back in spring of 1975 after completing a YMCA Diving course as a Phys Ed class at Florida State University. It was a very thorough course by a local dive shop owner that was well respected in the Florida diving community. I bought my gear…all AquaLung tank, regulator, BC vest (yeah the OOLD stuff) at the U.S. Navy base since I had base privileges. I dove a lot back then… freshwater open water, did some spearfishing, lobstering, etc.
Eventually got to dive in Hawaii a few times (bucket list item) when my wife and I were there on business for a convention.
I am 71 now and haven’t dove with a tank for many years. I’m still interested in the sport and am fascinated by the advances in equipment/gear. So I am here to watch, learn and enjoy reading what everyone does.

 

[jonhall]

Welcome to SB!! Hope you're able to get back into diving.

I hope you've done better than a friend of mine. He took the Scuba course through the YMCA at Indiana State University sometime between 1975-77. We started diving together in 2008 and dove with many dive shops (Hawaii, Cozumel, Cabo, and several Caribbean islands.) After about 70 dives, in late 2016 in Playa Del Carmen, the dive shop told him he wasn't OW certified. They didn't recognize the card which simply had SCUBA DIVER on it. All the previous dives, he should have been limited on what he could do - mainly depth, I believe. The op was kind enough to speed him through OW and let him also do the AOW, which is what we originally intended to do on the trip.

 

[TMHeimer]

Welcome to SB. Where are you in Florida? We were panhandle snowbirds (Destin) for many years. I too am 71 but didn't start until 2005....

 

[USdiver1]

A friend of mine took the Scuba course through the YMCA at Indiana State University sometime between 1975-77; in late 2016 in Playa Del Carmen, the dive shop told him he wasn't OW certified. They didn't recognize the card which simply had SCUBA DIVER on it.

Personally, I would trust a YMCA Scuba Diver trained in the 1970s over any OW certification from the 2000s. Just Sayin'

PS Welcome to the tribe.

 

[Jaan]

Welcome indeed …. And you don’t mean the song right.