To continue or not to continue

[TSandM]

Diving can be a lot of work. Gear is heavy, and whether you have to schlep it onto a boat or haul it down the beach, it takes some effort. Assembly and cleanup take significant time. It's easy to forget something and get frustrated if you can't dive.

The reward has to be worth it. And I think for new divers, sometimes it's hard to see that it is. If you have problems with buoyancy control or have to spend most of your dive just thinking about the mechanics of getting the dive done, it's easy to wonder why you're doing it. It's like skiing -- the bunny hill just isn't a big thrill, but when your parallel turn comes, you can begin to find out how much fun it is to slalom down the hill.

In addition, you have to find the things underwater that push your buttons. For some of us, it's the marine life; for some people, it's wrecks; for some, it's working on their skills. Some people hunt, others take pictures. Some of us just love being weightless. But you have to find the thing that inspires you, or you'll resent the work.

There are an awful lot of us on this board who have clearly found a way to balance the equation, so it's possible, if you want to do it. The question everybody's asking -- why you got certified in the first place -- may well be the key.

 

[fnfalman]

For some people, the hassle of lugging heavy gears and then donning them, especially when wear heavy wetsuits, outweigh the fun of the dive.

I know more than one person who was enthusiastic about the training, got the cert, dived a couple of times and called it quit. To each his own.

 

[Crush]

...We have much more fun snorkling than we've ever had diving.

Dear Dayne,

I am sorry to hear that. Personally, I snorkeled for about thirty years before beginning to scuba dive, and I only wished that I had begun sooner. What are your concerns:

1. Cost of diving;
2. Weight of dive gear;
3. Diving safety requirements (e.g., sticking with a dive master, and paying for one);
4. Feeling like a heard-animal on a cramped dive boat?
5. Being required to dive beyond your comfort zone so as to keep up with the group; and
6. etc., etc. ...

 

[paddler3d]

Still love to hear from the OP why they aren't enjoying SCUBA!

 

[Trace Malinowski]

I've eaten in some bad McDonald's, but I still love their Quarter Pounder with Cheese.

From reading this thread, I wonder if it's the McDonald's Quarter Pounder with Cheese that is causing some of the problems?

 

[Papa_Bear]

Sitting on the couch and watching TV or someone else living life is really easier! So give away you gear and when your in the Bahamas go to a casino! YOU'll have way more fun than gliding through the 82* water seeing all the stuff the other 95% of the world will NEVER see! You will meet more interesting people at the casino, it is easier to smoke there as well, you'll have less to pack, and you can lay around the pool with your rubber ducky in your speedo! Or just stay home and help stop Global Warming by not flying to all the cool places I go with all my great friends and take really cool Videos and pictures!

 

[idocsteve]

When you're snorkeling, you're an observer. When you're scuba diving, you're part of the action.

It's like being outside the aquarium and looking through the glass as compare to being in there with the fish.

EDIT

Hello all! Not to sound like I'm whining, but diving is a pain in the butt! It's a whole lot of aggravation for not a whole lot of fun!

I think I see the problem, having scanned your back posts.

Hey I've scrubbed across coral before. It burned for a day and then healed and went away. This latest incident is different. I hit my elbow, June 4, it burned for the rest of the day and was draining lymph. It's the 16th and there is still lymph drainage and I have a slight overall feeling of joint pain. Any ideas??

 

[Crush]

Sitting on the couch and watching TV or someone else living life is really easier! So give away you gear and when your in the Bahamas go to a casino! YOU'll have way more fun than gliding through the 82* water seeing all the stuff the other 95% of the world will NEVER see! You will meet more interesting people at the casino, it is easier to smoke there as well, you'll have less to pack, and you can lay around the pool with your rubber ducky in your speedo! Or just stay home and help stop Global Warming by not flying to all the cool places I go with all my great friends and take really cool Videos and pictures!

This from a man who posts "Did you drowned? No! Success!" (ref: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/4790051-post12.html )? Good to see that you woke up from hibernation.

 

[vladimir]

I had a friend who was a competitive swimmer in college, fit, and totally comfortable in dive gear. He was certified but hadn't dived much, so I talked him into joining me on a few dives in Thailand. I was impressed with the ease with which he dived, like an old pro, and with his amazing sac rate. After three excellent dives: Ko Doc Mai, Anemone Reef, and Shark Point, I asked him, "How was it?" expecting to have rekindled interest in the sport. His answer: "Boring."

Diving is not for everybody. If it doesn't appeal to you, move on to the next thing.

 

[drydiver]

Don't give up. You have so little info in your profile, it is a little hard to advise. Like those who posted already, your previous posts are not very enlightening.

I was certified in warm, great viz water, although I live in the NE. I was hooked immediately and bought all cold water equip and 100 dives per year later, never was happier.

Tell us more about yourself and we will be better equipped to advise properly, happy diving

Donna