Shallow Diving

[DukeAMO]

I second what westOne said - try a Discover Scuba first. Then, once you get certified, you'll find that diving below 15 feet is actually easier than diving above 15 feet, because you have to worry more about equalizing your ears, controlling your depth, surf and surge when you're in very shallow water. I mean, shallow dives are still fun, but dives that are just a little deeper are even more fun.

I also got into scuba primarily to look at the pretty fishes, but I'm already more comfortable below 20 feet deep than above it, because it's easier.

 

[danvolker]

Am I understanding you correctly in so far as that you think if the guy gets his OW he's not skilled enough to dive with an insta-buddy?

Granted, pairing up with an unknown partner can be hit or miss, however, there are a lot of skilled and experienced divers out there that may happen to be alone or in an odd #ed group. Many make fantastic insta-buddies, and may even offer advice to us noobs. I met a few during my first few days in Coz on my own and learned a lot myself.

If the OP is certed in Hawaii and feels comfortable after the OW dives why should he have to continue to have the personal DM?
Same environment, dives are clearly within cert depth of 60ft, assumed to be daytime diving if snorkelers are around.

I'd say get the training, make sure you communicate with your instructor so you can get the most out of your training, and let the text talk to your wife for you rather than generalizing this or that..

I guess it's about the "if"
In the original post, it sounds like the OP is quite nervous about diving and his skills. My expectation on hearing this, is that when he takes his OW course, he will be nervous...whenever a person learns with much nervousness and fear, the learning is slow. There is also the potential that this person is "pushing himself" into diving, that it is a scary thing he wants to make himself do.... this will often lead to "flight reactions" in the water, and emergency polaris missile ascents
Anyone who expects to find an insta-buddy that will be competent, is smoking something. Also, a new OW cert is really only a "learners permit", in terms of the functional skills that go along with it. In today's modular instruction world, my advice for someone like the OP is that they will NEED either a long time good diver willing to buddy with them, or a dm or instructor.

 

[Rich Keller]

Take an OW course first then try to find a buddy who is also new and wants to stay shallow. You may find a more experienced diver who is fine with shallow water dives like me but they will be harder to find. The other thing you might want to consider is snorkeling with a small tank so you have the option to stay down if you find something that will require an extra couple of minutes. Sort of enhanced snorkeling instead of diving. That way you can dive with far less equipment and not have as great a need for a buddy.

 

[spectrum]

(1) If I remained at no more than 10 or 15 feet depth is it correct that I could safely ascend quickly in the event of crisis? (The answer to this question may ease an argument I'm sure to have with my wife when I tell her that I'm taking a scuba diving course.)

At those depths you can stay down for as long as your air lasts and you have no decompression obligations. A nice slow ascent is always prudent but if the crap hit the fan you can go right up as long as you are letting air escape from your lungs on the way up. You need to make sure you don't hold your breath the way you are accustomed to while skin-diving, that could kill you. Dealing with those contingencies is a big part of the open water course. This also assumes that said crisis does not prevent ascent, being tangled in fishing line is an example. This is where training and a good buddy are real handy.

(2) Is diving in the presence of snorkelers safe, or are there separate areas?

No issue whatsoever.

(3) Assuming that I were to follow through on staying with 10 or 15 feet of the surface, is it likely I'd find another scuba diver willing to be so limited (as I assume that it is never safe to dive without a partner, no matter how shallow)? Thanks in advance.

Frankly, predictably finding a buddy for such a dive is unlikely. However once you are certified why would you want to be so limited? Dives need not be deep but in the 20-60 foot range you will have plenty of buddy opportunities and see even more variety. If you are shore diving you will be spending time in the shallow areas as well. Hanging in the shallows is a great way you enjoy some extra air that you may get back to the exit area with.

Alternatively get your wife to certify with you. Remind her that otherwise she will be left on the beach while you cavort with other ladies in rubber suits.:shocked2:

I think the first thing to as yourself is how much diving are you looking to do. If this is a one time whim then go do a discover dive or you can sometimes get an extended version as a guided resort dive. You can always progress from there. If you really want to be a diver and dive locally and on vacation then get on with your training locally. You have plenty of time to wrap it up while local water is summer like. Then you can go have fun on vacation.

Pete

 

[Doc Harry]

The best light and some of the prettiest coral is in 10 to 15 feet of water. Go for it!

 

[Lobalobo]

Thanks to all for such useful advice.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

You state that the trip is not until December so that gives you four months to get certed. If you are a bit apprehensive then I also recommend a Try or Discover Scuba type option to begin with. If it goes well and you decide you want to go for the certification find a shop or better yet an independent instructor for an agency that teaches a Basic Open Water course that is not done in a weekend or couple weekends. Find one that has a minimum of 30-32 hours of instruction split between classroom and pool. It should place heavy emphasis on buddy skills and include rescue skills beyond towing a tired diver and dealing with a leg cramp. It should also have lots of time to practice skills built in and to do basic skills over and over until they are second nature. No "ok you cleared the mask once very well, let's move on to something else."

They are out there and they will give you all the skills you need to dive with most insta-buddies unless they are truly a cluster. One of the skills I try to pass on to divers in my classes is how to choose an insta buddy and how to make sure they are compatible with you. Here is a good start on how to find a good class
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ne...ng/287780-how-find-excellent-scuba-class.html

then you should read this to see why you want a good basic class and not some weekend or two weekend abbreviated course that may not give you time to absorb all the material you need to do this:
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ne...ering-diving/283566-who-responsible-what.html

I have a more extensive list of interview questions for instructors and shops that is included in a book that I wrote but Walter's post is a good start.

Never sign up for a class without interviewing the instructor just as you would any employee or contractor. You are hiring them to work for you. You are hiring them to teach you how to safely enjoy your time in a new and potentially hostile environment. People do not have gills so under water is an environment that is inherently hostile to human life.

Taking a good scuba class is going to seriously reduce the risks of entering that realm. It's not like buying a new TV, car, or other item. But you need to know what to ask and coming here is a good way to find out what questions are required before you sign anything.

 

[toliver66]

insta-buddies :thinking: hmmmm... If you need an insta-buddy... doesn't that make you an insta-buddy as well? Just asking cause every body seems to be so down on insta-buddies.

Get your OW cert and I'll dive all day long with you at 10-15 feet. But as mentioned previously, surge, rip tides, and under tows can make dives that shallow miserable at best, dangerous at worst.

An instructor once said to me "you can stick a regulator in a babies mouth and they can breath just fine under water but it takes knowledge, training, and skill to use scuba safely".

 

[DivemasterDennis]

While I still think you should go forward with certification, if you are not looking to be diving on a regular basis, then SNUBA is a reasonable alternative. SNUBA involves a surface supplied air source. You will wear a mask and breathing apparatus similar to scuba, but no tank or bc. You depth is limited to 20 feet, and you will be down for a limited time (usually 20 minutes or less. ) Your movement is also very restricted. Lots of operators for SNUBA can be found in Hawaii, no certification needed, but it is pricey (but then, so is scuba).
DivemasterDennis

 

[windapp]

If you are just looking to go down for a bit longer to see the fish closer, and you don't really want to scuba, you can wear a weight belt so it is easier to dive down. Just make sure you weight yourself to be either neutral (You will be at eye level, holding a comfortable breath), or a little buoyant so you aren't struggling to stay on top of the water. Also, snorkel with a buddy to help out if you get in trouble, and make sure you can release your weight belt in the event of a problem.

Otherwise, I would get certified as a scuba diver. If you are not comfortable with the idea of scuba diving to a reasonable depth (40 ft), then scuba diving is not for you. Also, if this is your situation, discover scuba is definitely not for you. If you are unsure, talk to your local dive shop about doing an introductory pool session.