Sea Life at 40' vs. 15'

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J

Jonathan Shannon

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Moke Hill, Ca
Greetings:

This April, while on the Big Island, I will have opportunity to scuba.

I am looking at two options: 1) Close to where we are staying there is a scuba shop that does DSD to 4-15'. 2) 1 1/2 hours away is a shop that goes down 40'.

Option 1 is also less than half price of option 2.

Just wondering about the respective experiences. Is sea life the same at 15' vs. 40'? I've been snorkeling, and would really like to see more than colorful fish. I'd love to see octopus, for example.

Thank you,
Jon
 
Although it's possible to see an octopus at any depth, you're not likely to see them during daylight in the shallows (either 15' or 40') ... they're nocturnal hunters, and tend to hide in dark places during the daytime due to the way their eyes are built.

As to your question, what you will see depends more on the condition of the reef than the depth ... some of the coolest critters I found in Kona were in some lava tubes in about 10-20 feet of water. That said, I think you're focusing on the wrong question ... if you've never been on scuba gear before, I'd highly recommend the shallower dive profile for your first dive. You're going to be putting yourself into an environment you will never have experienced, and know next to nothing about ... and if anything goes wrong the surface is your ultimate bail-out option. Focus on your safety and mental comfort first ... regardless of what's down there, what you will notice will be in direct proportion to how comfortable you feel during the dive.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)
 
If you are doing a try-it dive I would day go with the close/shallow dive. My guess is that after the dive you might be interested in having the classes close to your hotel. If you see an octopus, you will want the classes so you can see another one. If you don't see an octopus, you want the classes so you can keep looking. looking to see what is just beyond the next rock is one of the most addictive parts of diving....
 
The only advantage to the deeper dive is buoyancy control will be easier. Personally, I'd go with option 1 just to get the feel of scuba. The search for cool things to see will be what keeps you coming back.


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Consider doing DSD and/or half of the OW class locally if possible, and leaving the checkout dives for Hawaii. When I did DSD, it was initially a somewhat uncomfortable experience.
 
A warning. I dd a DSD in Hawaii ten years ago. That was over 400 dives ago. It can turn out to be a very rewarding and addictive experience.

It varies with the diver, but I found it very relaxing and enjoyable from the startt. Spent some time at close (not touching) range with some big sea turtles.
 
I expect diving to be addictive :). I snorkeled off Kauai 25 years ago and to say that I loved it would be an understatement. I remember seeing some rocks about 15-20' below the surface that I desperately wanted to explore. Problem was by the time I got to them, I was almost out of breath. I had an ache at the time to scuba.

But my wife has a fear of the ocean and there is no chance that she would ever join me. We live in the mountains so it's not like I could just go for a day; in which case she wouldn't feel left out.

But we are going back to Hawaii, this time The Big Island, and she is kind enough to let me go.
 
Given the choices, I'd also go with the shallow DSD. Apparently many have benefitted from doing a DSD. I also believe the "incident"/accident rate is about double that of other courses such as OW (I believe I read that a while back in a PADI Journal). My best choice would be to do the OW course right off the bat. Or if not possible at home due to weather or logistics, take kr2y5's idea of a referral course. I was on a cruise in 1999 and saw a scuba class in the ship's pool. The description of what was most likely a DSD class (don't know if they called it that then), caused me to take the snorkel side trip instead-- and I have always been a "water" person. This is why I would choose the 15' DSD over 40'. 40' would have scared the sh!t out of me back then. As well, below 30' it is more difficult to do a CESA (Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent). Of course, an instructor is supposed to be within arms length of each student on DSD, I believe (I don't know the exact wording as I don't intend to teach it). This is good, if the instructor to student ratio is up to standard (I THINK it's 4:1). If there are more than even one DSD student, is arms length for all really possible at all times? Not trying to scare you. Go for it, especially if you are comfortable in the water.
Don't ever hold your breath. I would imagine you'll see enough neat stuff at 15' in Hawaii. And save on the price as you say.
 
I think a lot depends on how comfortable you are in the water as to whether you want to go for a DSD or OW. If doing DSD, I would choose the lesser depth as it is less intimidating.

I did a DSD years ago which only served to ignite the pilot light under my wanting to Scuba. I was always a keen swimmer and immediately felt comfortable under water with the gear on. Even in a 3m deep pool I felt at home sitting on the bottom sipping my air watching everyone swim around me.

If you aren't sure, do the DSD. Scuba is different to snorkelling in that you have a lot more gear - you get a lot more freedom with it as compensation though. Some folk find the amount and weight of gear off putting however for me it is just something I need to put up with to let me get down there to the good stuff.

If you are a keen swimmer and love the water then OW (allows diving with a qualified buddy)or Scuba diver (allows diving with an instructor) is probably the way to go. The Scuba diver course is shorter so if time is of the essence it might be the better one as it allows you to dive pretty quick but can be upgraded to OW with the extra dives.

Warning - SCUBA CAN BE ADDICTIVE! Just ask my wallet!:goingdown:
 
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