I would like to get some facts here, and opinions on this subject. My buddy is always wanting to go, and thinking that if you get a beach front room, you can just go dive right in. I don't feel comfortable going to a unkown area, and just walking in to go dive. I would feel comfortable with a know area for this type of diving, and see other divers in the area. We have dove at Ft Lauderdale, and one of the shop has stated that there is a reef 50-100 yards out by a peir, and they use this area for walk in diving/ classes. I still don't find comfort with that idea, and just the 2 of us diving there. I would much rather pay the charter service and be around a bunch of great people and divers, all day than cut cost. Besides the cost of the CG pick up would a expensive charter. I don't want to find myself listed here on the board under accidents. Thanks for the input.
Walk in diving, from unkown areas
- Thread starter Reefraff2
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mberman
Registered
I would also feel uncomfortable going out to an unfamiliar area-- maybe you could hire a DM from the shop that dives there to go out with you the first time. I wouldn't think they would charge all that much and the peace of mind might be worth it. If nothing else, someone there should be able to give you a verbal orientation to the area. Good luck and have fun!
altitudemike
Contributor
I do it quite often as I have my own boat. If you reaserch the area & talk to local divers about conditions & what to expect it can be a great time. We usually plan a conservative dive profile for the first dive just to be safe. If you do your homework & plan properly I don't see a problem.
It would not bother me to dive an unknown area like this, but that is me. Dive within your limits and don't ever let anyone convince you to do something you are not comfortable with. Nothing good can come of it.
If you do your homework, you can shore dive an unknown site safely. You need to know what the issues are for that site, is all. For example, in Puget Sound, currents are a big issue at a lot of sites, and you have to know whether the site you are proposing to dive is current sensitive or not, and if so, you need to plan the timing for what's appropriate. In Maui, currents aren't generally as much of an issue, but surf is, and diving is best in the morning, before the trade winds come up and make the water rough.
I've done a bunch of previously unknown sites on Maui, by reading up on them in books or on shorediving.com. In the PNW, if you know the name of the site, you can Google it and often bring up site descriptions, directions and reviews on various shop or personal websites. My guess is that this would be true of Florida as well.
I've done a bunch of previously unknown sites on Maui, by reading up on them in books or on shorediving.com. In the PNW, if you know the name of the site, you can Google it and often bring up site descriptions, directions and reviews on various shop or personal websites. My guess is that this would be true of Florida as well.
sarita75
Guest
As always, I echo TSandM on this one. I would also add that navigation is key to diving sites with a buddy. If you haven't taken a navigation course and/or are not familiar with how to correctly use a compass, then diving with a DM is probably the best for you. I would not have wanted to try diving (without a DM) without good navigation training.
RonFrank
Contributor
Lauderdale by the Sea is actually a very mild dive. That said, it would be best to do it with someone who knows the site. Post a thread on when you want to go. LBTS is a very popular site for Lauderdale SB divers, and many like Marvel, and Jenny may respond. If you choose to dive it by yourself you will need to tow a Divers Down marker. This means a reel, and marker. There are actually two reefs. I can not tell you exactly how far out, but you can swim straight out, hit the first, and then continue out, and get to the second. Take a compass for navigation unless you are fond of popping to the surface to figure out where you are, and where you are heading. The depth is sub twenty five feet for both reefs, so shallow.
Knowing the site is always the best approach. OTOH, how would anyone ever dive anywhere new if no one was willing to check it out. I guess what I'm suggesting is that if you have a good buddy, do your homework about currents, and the site, then diving new area's is not out of the question.
Knowing the site is always the best approach. OTOH, how would anyone ever dive anywhere new if no one was willing to check it out. I guess what I'm suggesting is that if you have a good buddy, do your homework about currents, and the site, then diving new area's is not out of the question.
miketsp
Contributor
It can of course be done but what is the cost / benefit ratio? How much is your time worth?
Diving an unknown site means doing some research and playing safe for the first dive at least. I'd want to observe the site with a set of tide tables and a weather forecast in my hand. Observe, the swell, the current, boating activity etc. Identify alternate exit points if current is too strong one way or the other.
This time is too valuable to waste on a short holiday unless it's obvious that conditions are great.
Diving an unknown site means doing some research and playing safe for the first dive at least. I'd want to observe the site with a set of tide tables and a weather forecast in my hand. Observe, the swell, the current, boating activity etc. Identify alternate exit points if current is too strong one way or the other.
This time is too valuable to waste on a short holiday unless it's obvious that conditions are great.
Charlie99
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Do you have specific concerns beside just a general fear of the unknown? You should do some self analysis and see if you can figure out what really concerns you about doing shore dives in unknown places.
The key is to continue to develop your ability to evaluate risks. Surf, currents, boat traffic, entanglement hazards, and whether or not there are alternate exit points are some of the things to evaluate.
Having the self control and willpower to abort a dive when appropriate is a key skill when doing dives in unknown spots.
Diving in unknown spots also increases the likelyhood of doing a dive in relatively boring spots. If the visibility is good, a quick snorkel tour may be able to tell you whether a certain spot is worth exploring on scuba.
The key is to continue to develop your ability to evaluate risks. Surf, currents, boat traffic, entanglement hazards, and whether or not there are alternate exit points are some of the things to evaluate.
Having the self control and willpower to abort a dive when appropriate is a key skill when doing dives in unknown spots.
Diving in unknown spots also increases the likelyhood of doing a dive in relatively boring spots. If the visibility is good, a quick snorkel tour may be able to tell you whether a certain spot is worth exploring on scuba.
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