Trying to Get Into Scuba Diving But Get This

[Northwoodfrisbee]

For a long time I have been enamored with Scuba Diving. When I was a kid I actually went and pulled a subscription ticket at Kroger for a Scuba Diving magazine so I could look at the pictures, and my passion has continued into adulthood. For about a year I have been saving up money for scuba gear and classes, deciding to finally take the plunge. I have a mask and fins that I have bought from my LDS (still need snorkel and boots) and was going to take some Christmas money and put it toward classes, however...

My wife and I found out a month ago we are having a baby due in May. We do decently for ourselves financially and obviously with a child things would get tighter so Scuba classes and diving wouldn't be too much of a financial burden, however....(see a trend?)

We just found out we are having TWINS! I am really amped for twins, but now am wondering what I am going to do with diving. Things will be a little tighter and all, and I am wondering if there is anyone on the board that has gone through something similar and if you were able to go ahead with your diving or had to delay it for a bit. I know I have a bunch to do but it would sure be a shame to see the money I have already invested go to waste...

 

[TwoBitTxn]

Congrats on the new additions.

Children put things on hold. Just a fact of life. Get it done now, or you get to wait awhile.

Best wishes to you both.

 

[scubastaci]

hmm, I have 3 kids(none at the same time) we just got certified and we were diving every weekend. Hope that gives you hope!

 

[Scubadaddy]

Congrats on the babies!

I am a new father myself (as of 2 months ago) and we had our daughter while I was halfway through my OW certification (a process that took about 8 weeks).

It sounds like you still have some time to get certified and as TwoBit said you should get it done sooner than later if you can. You seem very interested in the hobby so I suggest that you get into an OW course, rent your gear for now (some clubs/lds will include gear rentals in the course fees) and if you find that you are truly addicted (like many of us are then you can go from there. If you find you don't have the time do dive you won't be out alot of money from buying all of the gear, and you'll still have your certification out of the way for when you find the extra time to pick it back up.

Best of luck!!

 

[jenlaur]

My husband and I signed up for dive classes and then found out I was pregnant. We finally got certified this past June....19 years later....Kids definitely have a way of putting things on hold. Good luck.

 

[rollerboi]

My wife and I are going through IVF, and we're about to have the fertilized eggs put in, either Sunday or Monday. I'm considering that pretty much the death knell for being able to buy stuff scuba-wise.

So, I did what any other diver with their priorities straight did. I just bought a bunch of the smaller gear that I'm going to need or use (hood, gloves, light, knife..). Unfortunately, I have a) BP/W and b) regulator setups still to buy, both of which are .. well, expensive. And with a baby on the way, it becomes harder to justify the expense. Oh well...

Maybe I'll take out just a little more financial aid...

See? This is the slippery slope. Soon, you'll be looking at WIC stamps and wondering how you can sell baby formula on the black market for scuba money... *grin*.

 

[mwilding]

I got married and had kids and four years slipped away without a dive. I vowed never to let that happen again.

 

[tiggrr]

I has $ issues last year and it forced me to dive in the cold fresh water. Great Lakes diving has a lot to offer and is cheaper than a trip to warmer water. Or diving in the local ponds/quarrys has its perks.

Also, you can check craigslist in the detroit area for good deals on gear. I would run what you find there by someone with experience because there are some lame deals out there. There are also some pretty good ones as well. Seems like all of the other michigan areas on craigslist don't have too much to offer.

 

[irishsquid]

There will always be reasons to put off diving or any other hobby. Kids, school, work, medical, economy, house, weather, you name it, it's there. If people wait for the perfect time, nobody would be able to do anything.
Congratulations on the twins!

 

[spectrum]

I too had a strong desire to dive since I was a youngster. As life unfolded I (and my wife) did not begin diving until 48 as we were becoming empty nesters.

I'm not saying that you need to wait that long however diving is something that at least initially it demands that you immerse yourself in it (no pun intended). Thinking back I could not have done justice to myself as a diver and to my family as a dad if I had taken them on simultaneously.

Personally my message is congratulations, good luck and enjoy your youngsters as much as you can during those few years when they are yours to influence. As things begin to settle down see what you have for discretionary time and money and if it feels right then dive in, perhaps by then your wife will join you in the adventure too. Dive skills and dive gear are not enhanced by being idle. Take pause and if the time exists then go for it.

Plenty of young parents continue to dive or take diving up while they have young families. You need to consider the risks that diving represents, it is a safe sport but the obvious should not be ignored.

Pete