Want to start diving without Instructor...any tips?

[fnfalman]

Come down to the SoCal forum and post there. Lots of us are going out diving all the time, be it shore diving or boat diving.

Heck, I'll take you around, except that you gotta lug my gears for me.

 

[Garrobo]

Spend a few bucks and dive with a DM for a while.

 

[ReefHugger]

In addition to the above, join a local dive club and find some experienced local mentors.

Dive with them, ask lots of questions, observe and learn.

Ditto, ditto, ditto.......X 10

 

[jmasin]

Everyone gave great advice above.

I'd only add, take your time, be conservative, get comfy in the water. First couple of unattended dives my wife (also my buddy) did were at 20ft messing around with each other. Some drills, buoyancy work... boring stuff since we were just hanging, but it was good.

 

[idocsteve]

There are plenty of great dive sites around and I really would like to have the freedom to be able to go out with my dive buddy (my mom) and not have to worry. What would you guys suggest?

You and your mom are both certified scuba divers.

Stop worrying and go diving.

 

[fnfalman]

You and your mom are both certified scuba divers.

Stop worrying and go diving.

That too. No guts, no glory. You ain't gonna get better waiting for somebody to hold your hands. Plan your dive according to your skill level and dive site conditions and dive your plan. Seriously, it doesn't get any easier than that.

The faster you get weaned from having somebody holding your hands (instructor, dive master), the faster you become a better, more confident diver.

If you and your mom feel too nervous to go on your own then like I said before, go down to the SoCal forum and post there. One or two (more than likely 10 or 20) of us would love to take you and your mom out for some good diving.

 

[Mike Boswell]

More information would help a lot:

Did you get certified in CA?
Are you used to cold-water diving, shore diving?
Do you own your own gear?
Are you in the LA area, or San Diego?

Dive Bums is a good resource for the San Diego area Divebums - A San Diego Dive Website

 

[scubadiver93]

Thanks for all the great advice. I am part of a dive club in Socal and i'm more in the Los Angeles area. I have experienced cold water diving in Catalina and a boat ride off San Diego. I own all my own gear except for a tank. My only issue would be site navigation. I really miss diving often though and wanted to be able to say "Let's go diving" on any weekend without having to worry about planning a trip without a dive master. I am a very confident diver (maybe too confident at times) and am not really afraid of anything underwater.

 

[fnfalman]

I really miss diving often though and wanted to be able to say "Let's go diving" on any weekend without having to worry about planning a trip without a dive master. I am a very confident diver (maybe too confident at times) and am not really afraid of anything underwater.

Well then, post up in the SoCal forum when you want to go and possibly where. Chances are one of us will be able to join you. Or do like I do and show up on a boat, grab for an instant buddy and go to town. I've met many wonderful people that way who have taught me a thing or two about diving in SoCal.

As far as being overconfident and do something dumb, two things are going to happen:

a) We'll let you know that you shouldn't be doing "that" any more. We'd hope that for your own good, you'd lay down your ego and heed our advices. Or if you cop an attitude because you're a badass diver then see b).

b) We'll ask you not to accompany us as a buddy any more.

 

[scubadiver93]

I didn't really mean confident like that. I am always very humbled when diving, but its the exploration and the things that are there that cause me to lose a sense of caution and safety. Not that I disregard it completely. I am a very safe diver, but love exploring new things.