Time to work on the potential bucketlist.....

[cptjsparrow7]

Hello all. Long story short I recently got some bad news that kind of kicked my mind in gear thinking about all fun things in life that I wanted to do/learn and this has been one of them ever since I went snorkeling down in Hawaii. So I have started to read up on scuba when I stumbled on this site - I'm still reading, but I figured what better place to start than a bunch of avid divers

Seems like so much to take in - where to start? There happens to be a SDI and PADI classroom by where I live, but so far I haven't found any clear cut comparison between the two programs......any thoughts?


Also (as time must be carefully squirreled away from work) - realistically how much time should I be looking to devote? I'm a fan of go big or go home, so I want to know what I'm getting into before I go bonkers

Thanks in advance for any replies/advice!!

 

[pjhansman]

5 years ago I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was given an almost certain death sentence.......

Obviously I'm still around

One of my fist holidays after that was a trip to Maui, where I ended up doing a bit of snorkeling. Now both my wife and I are PADI advanced open water trained and planning 3 diving holidays this winter.

IMHO...doesn't matter whether its PADI or SDI.....it's all about the instructor. Get references, choose wisely. Private or semi-private if you can afford it.

Doesn't matter how much time you think it will take....once you start diving, you'll make the time.

Enjoy life!

 

[stakanak]

I waited a long time to learn to dive...too long.
I agree with PJ, find a good instructor and just do it!
Good Luck and remember...fight fight fight!
Best Wishes

 

[cdolphin]

Hey, welcome!

If you go to the "New Divers" and the "Basic Scuba Discussion" sections in the forums here on ScubaBoard, there are some sticky posts at the tops of the sections with info about what to look for from an instructor and different courses.

 

[TSandM]

And if you tell us where you are, we may be able to give you better information.

Read the stickies at the top of the New Divers subforum -- they'll give you a bunch of questions to ask prospective instructors and dive shops about classes.

 

[cptjsparrow7]

I have to laugh at myself - I loaded up the forums when I got home and yeah.....I just didn't scroll down far enough <facepalm> - I will start there!!!

I work in the North West Chicago suburbs, but I live in Rockford (about 30 miles South of the WI border).

Thanks!