Top 10 things I learned on my first dive trip

[roblogic]

My wife & I just returned from our trip to Aruba. We recently got our OW certs from SSI, and this was our first venture outside the local quarry. We had an absolutely great time diving, and learned a lot in the process! Here's a list of things I learned that will probably be obvious common-sense to experienced divers, but may be helpful to newbies like me.

1. Letting the DM know that you're a newbie is a good thing. They'll probably figure it out on their own, but telling them opens a dialog in which they know that you know that you may need some guidance at times.

2. Make sure you've got a full tank when you're setting up. 2700psi may seem like plenty on the boat, but you'll be wanting that extra 300 at the end of your dive.

3. There will always be someone on the boat who will try to poke, grab, or otherwise molest the sea life. Don't be that someone.

4. Air integrated computers with audio alarms default to "really annoying" mode, and should be set to "only beep when something's really wrong" mode if possible. Our computers were beeping all over the place. It reminded me of when pagers first became popular - all of the other divers were looking at their computers like, "is that me"?

5. Ignore the sizing chart that wet suit manufacturers give you. By the chart, I wear a XXL. My L fits me perfectly. I think that's why 1/2 the people I saw had suits that were waaay baggy.

6. Training in a quarry is awesome, because the worst vis in the Carribean is probably better than the best vis in the quarry. We were having a great time while other folks on the boat were grumpy & whiny.

7. Get your gear set up as soon as you get on the boat and ask how long the boat ride is so you'll know when to suit up.

8. You will meet cool people - talk to the divers around you.

9. You will learn a lot from others on the boat - talk to the divers around you. Keep an eye on what they're doing. If they're all doing something you're not, you should probably be doing it too.

10. Chances are, you'll be diving with at least one other member of scubaboard.com! We dove a couple of times with a guy from GA (didn't get his handle) who was a member, and a nice guy to boot.

 

[allistoy]

I'm glad to see you had a great first trip and I hope you have already started planning the next trip. It's refreshing to see someone who really enjoyed their first scuba diving trip as much as you appear to have. Your attitude about being a newbie and not pretending to be something your not will go a long ways in making D.M.'s willing to assist you in learning the differences between quary diving and ocean diving.
Many experienced divers seem to forget ( or don't want to remember how bad we were) that at some point we were all newbies in search of guidance and knowledge from a mentor.
You picked a pretty good area for your first excursion into the ocean so keep looking as you will find many interesting areas with different surroundings to thrill and excite you.
Never stop learning and always keep exploring and you will never want to quit diving.
For fun look into the Bahamas, Mexico, Turks and Caicos, Florida there are so many great places to explore all within easy reach of North America.

 

[CON8IV]

Congrats Roblogic,

In my best Sean Connery voice: You have just fulfilled the first rule of SCUBA diving, and that is: Never stop learning. Some of your "top ten" made me laugh, especially the one on audible alarms. Been there! You've got a great attitude, keep it up. You know, I bet I could post a "Top ten things I learned on my 101st dive trip", so as you can see, you never really stop learnning if you just observe. And visit with other cool divers, of course!

 

[Dive_Girl PNW]

In regards to a "full" tank, most dive ops consider the tank full when it's around 2800. Many divers get hung up on the number 3000 and regular pressure gauges don't give accurate readings own to the 1psi. Glad to hear you had fun and I'm a firm believer in No. 7. I like to set up quick and enjoy the scenery on the way out!

 

[Firebrand]

This wasn't by chance the Antilla you dove on, was it? I dove on it back in June, and absolutely loved the wreck, but wasn't happy with the cruise ship price, or the lack of bottom time due to the customs officers taking their sweet time and making us wait an extra hour and a half before they let us off the ship. I would add to that list to NOT book with a cruise ship shore excursion and book on your own, but make sure the operator is flexible with the time of departure. Plus, my original curise ship excursion was canceled due to a lack of interest, so I had to sign up for the other dive package, that wasn't a good value.

 

[roblogic]

Thanks all, we did have an amazing time, and we're already scheming on where to go next. Maybe even a quick trip to the coast tomorrow!

@Dive_Girl PNW:
Thanks for the 2800 info, one less thing to be neurotic about.

@Firebrand:
We dove the Antilla on our third dive, and is was spectacular, although the vis was down to avout 20 ft. We dove with Pelican all week and also dove the Pedernalis, Arasi Reef, the Sonesta and Aruba Air planes, and the sponge reef.

 

[dbush]

I would also add, "Don't be the moron that doesn't listen to the dive briefing and can't find the site". Good list though! I like the one about the fish/reef molestor. There is always one! Ugh!

Dave Bush
Florida

 

[scubadobadoo]

Glad you had fun. Looks like you are both well on your way to becoming great divers.

 

[Scribbller]

Nice read.

 

[RonFrank]

Glad that your first experience was enjoyable. I've added a couple comments below..

2. Make sure you've got a full tank when you're setting up. 2700psi may seem like plenty on the boat, but you'll be wanting that extra 300 at the end of your dive.

This should be done BEFORE leaving the dock as the DiveOp may or may not have extra tanks on board. It also may not be necessary to swop a tank with 2700psi depending upon the dive profile and ones air consumption. 2700psi would certainly get me through a shallow reef dive with BT's of 60 minutes.

4. Air integrated computers with audio alarms default to "really annoying" mode, and should be set to "only beep when something's really wrong" mode if possible. Our computers were beeping all over the place. It reminded me of when pagers first became popular - all of the other divers were looking at their computers like, "is that me"?

Think hard about which alarms to turn off. Most of the default alarms on my Atmos II are things that one wants to be aware of, like breaking ascent rules.

5. Ignore the sizing chart that wet suit manufacturers give you. By the chart, I wear a XXL. My L fits me perfectly. I think that's why 1/2 the people I saw had suits that were waaay baggy.

I'd suggest this may not be good advice. None of the people I have dove with have ill fitting suits with the exception of some tend to be a bit long depending upon body type. I wear the same size in EVERY manufacture I've tried with the exception of my drysuit with runs large for the sizing, but I still fit right on the chart (Bare). I've dove Henderson, Oneil, Tilos (which I own), and Bare, and I size out exactly as all those manufactures recommend.

Fit should be determined by trying suits on, and if one is planning on buying online, I'd suggest rather than going into the LDS and taking up their time if you plan on purchaseing elsewhere, instead rent a suit from them to get your sizing down as that at least is an honest way to determine what sizing one can expect from a given manufacture.

7. Get your gear set up as soon as you get on the boat and ask how long the boat ride is so you'll know when to suit up.

This is good advice, however the DM SHOULD be providing information on time to the site, and how they expect people to gear up. Every Op I've dove with gives a 10 minute warning. I'd add when drift diving it is especially imporant to be timely in gear setup because there is a limited amount of time to drop, and then hit the reef or wreck at the right spot.

10. Chances are, you'll be diving with at least one other member of scubaboard.com! We dove a couple of times with a guy from GA (didn't get his handle) who was a member, and a nice guy to boot.

I went a step further, and and posted my trips in the appropriate forum and not only did I dive with other SB members, several made a point to sign up on the boats I had selected. I also took the advice of SB members in selecting charters, and that turned out very well.

SB members are all about sharing good dive advice and experience, and my last trip definately was better for having SB people on board!