Returning after 20 years, how far can I go in a year?

[ColonelPanic]

Quick background: Certified with SSI in '96. Have been out of sport since.

I now have a job that will let me live anywhere (work from home), and I've been thinking about moving to the Pensacola area with the sole purpose of getting back into diving. (If Pensacola seems like an odd choice, it's due to proximity to friends I haven't seen in a while).

I'd be there about a year before moving back to Alabama. I'd like to recertify, probably with PADI. It's been too long, and I wouldn't just want to pick up where I left off.

What's a reasonable goal for training? I'd like to go as far as I can while I'm there. I have no interest in cave diving, or anything requiring a dry suit, but would like to try the mixed gas stuff, if only to allow more bottom time. I'm a little confused by PADI's web site... it looks like there are a lot of interesting courses, but I guess I'm trying to figure out a path -up- rather than branching out. As I'm currently looking at things, I can always pick up electives later. OTOH, I'm not in a hurry to reach some specific level, I'd just like to start training with an optimal order already figured out. What's the most useful level to try for, for someone who will probably never instruct but -would- like to be a competent diver capable of doing any rec diving trip?

Also, if anyone can recommend a dive shop in the Pensacola area, that's be awesome.

 

[RVBldr]

Can't recommend any Pensacola shops, but to answer the other question...I got back into diving after a 12 year break and had Adv. Open Water prior to the break. Once I had a refresher in Palau, which took all of about 1 dive (it came back very quick) and a thorough review of the knowledge base, once back in the Pacific Northwest, I did Drysuit, Deep, Enriched Air, and a couple other specialties, but ended up finishing Dive Master in about 10 months with very regular diving. After that, it took another year and a half to reach OWSI.

 

[MichaelMc]

Nitrox is useful, you can do it online, it extends bottom time and/or reduces DCS risk.

Buoyancy and trim, whether Padi or a more full blown such as GUI rec diver/fundies, would be top on my list. Things I would see as a solid diver are: buoyancy and trim control, comfort in water, confident in basic tasks: SMB, air share, navigation.

There are some good threads on this in the past, often as guidance on the topics of classes more than just the 5 dives of AOW. Some ok ones I could find are:
PADI Advanced Open Water Question
https://www.scubaboard.com/community/threads/best-and-worst-courses.545217

I'm not sure if rec 'progression' is the right view. More like acquiring the different skills you need/want from whatever instructors can best teach you. Intro to tech might be a bench mark to look at, even with no intent of doing tech diving. But as it is a good standard of solid diver.

 

[ColonelPanic]

Excellent. Thanks!

Man, stuff has changed... I pretty much ignored things for two decades. Now, everyone has (and dives) a computer. So much catching up to do... so much gear to (re) buy.

 

[MichaelMc]

Another one
https://www.scubaboard.com/community/threads/which-padi-aow-specialties.544633
Many votes for buoyancy and trim in that thread. Classes on that can range from worthless 'lets get your weights right, ok, you're good.' to very comprehensive.
https://www.scubaboard.com/community/threads/buoyancy-skills.543947

 

[ColonelPanic]

I'm looking at renting a house with a pool. I remember last time I did this, I learned more in an hour in a YMCA pool about bouyancy than I ever did in the quarry. The course seems like the perfect thing to add.

 

[hroark2112]

I was certified in 1985. I was young & dumb and almost drowned my dumbass self in 1986. That incident made me quit diving. In 2012 I got back into diving when I met my wife. I didn't think I'd want to ever go deeper than about 50'. Over the next few years I went from Open Water to a rebreather instructor.

My advice is to take it slow, find an awesome instructor, dive a lot and have fun. Don't go too fast, gain experience and learn all you can.

 

[scrane]

Reestablish a solid base. Start over with Open Water and go from there.

 

[TMHeimer]

Not a recommendation based on much, but Dive Pros on U.S.98 (Western area of P'cola) did a nice job of repair once while I waited (wasn't staying in the area). As well, they seemed very knowlegable in talking with several employees.

 

[Seaweed Doc]

You might ask yourself what you want out of this. To be a better sport diver, or get paid to teach or guide other divers?

I'd at least see if you could "audit" an openwater class. Maybe use the chance to change agencies if you like.

It sounds like you also want at least nitrox certification. That's pretty quick. If you're talking serious gas mixes (trimix) that's a whole 'nother world.

If you want to build skills, maybe do AOW and Rescue. Depending on local practice, you might get those done in a couple of months, especially if you're diving regularly.

But then do you want leadership? Do you want to get paid help other divers? If so, Divemaster is next and might take you some time. That could be followed by Instructor.

Assuming you're just in it for fun, take specialties that interest you if you like. Or teach yourself fish identification by reading or whatever.