Returning diver

[alphonsis]

I'm located in the SF Bay Area, and have recently decided to get back into diving. I haven't actively dived in about 10 years.

Any suggestions as to dive shops in the area that give good refresher courses? The only shop I've found is called Steele's in the berkeley/oakland area.

It seems that dry suit diving is pretty popular around these parts. Should I jump right into dry suit diving, or should I do a few wetsuit dives and then switch to dry suit at a later time?

From what I've read, breakwater is a good place to start from in the Monterey area. Are there any simple places to dive in the SF Bay Area? It is mainly to get my feet wet and back into the groove of things.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

What exact city are you in?
If you're in the East Bay then that would be a good choice from what I've read and been told.
Maybe others can chime in about shops.

The Breakwater in Monterey would be a good choice for refresher dives. You could do a few there with a buddy or maybe whatever dive shop you go through may let you join along during an open water class.
After that you may want to consider an advanced class to keep active and also meet more potential buddies.
Then you could do some boat dives through your shop, and beyond that the sky's the limit.

Good luck and welcome back to diving!

Eric

 

[JT851]

ZKY, Jumping into the water after 10 years??? Hmmm.. NOT A GOOD IDEA unless it is in the pool.

Alphonsis, If your in the east bay, I would check out www.anchorshack.com
or www.schoolofdiving.com and start off by jumping into the pool and doing a refresher.... after 10 years i would almost suggest in taking another course just for the hell of it...

Happy Diving..

 

[alphonsis]

ah, thanks for the links JT, I'll take a look at those refresher courses.

 

[--tom--]

Hi alphonsis,
Welcome back to diving. I agree with JT851 when he mentions taking a course again. Some advances in technology and theory will make taking the class worthwhile. Also, the classes will supervise at least 4 dives in open water under reasonably controlled conditions.

Good diving.