What does a dive look like after getting my Open Water cert?

[viajero]

I've done the discover scuba course in Thailand and I must say it was a fantastic experience. Visibility was not the great in Pattaya but I know there's a completely different world once I get to do some real diving.

Before I make any commitment of my time and money, I'd like to know what a dive will look like after getting my open water certificate (not planning to go beyond, at least not in the next couple of years).

1. Being a Torontonian, the closest place that's good to dive is probably Cancun/Cozumel? If I rent everything, how much will it cost to do one dive if I do 2 or 3/day? A coworker tells me it's around $50 a dive, which I think is reasonable.
2. Do people usually just meet up with random folks and dive together? None of my friends are interested in diving so I'm pretty much on my own if I do go diving.
3. One thing I'm uncomfortable with is moving around and surfacing without someone who knows what they're donig. My main concerns are "getting lost" (ie. swimming too far away from the boat), and surfacing and hitting something. What are the solutions for these concerns?
4. Going to deep and surfacing too quickly are other concerns, but I guess that's what a dive computer is for?

I'm ready to commit but there are just a few things that I'm concerned about (primarily safety). Convince me to give this a shot! Thanks guys.

 

[ff1455]

Dont think twice about getting certified, the under water world is amazing and something everyone should get to experiance, your concerns with safety are valid concerns but that is what the class teaches you to deal with safely, you will learn everything you need to know to dive safely and confidently, as far as what a dive will look like that all depends on where you will get to dive, visibility varies greatly and so do the things you see, but ive experienced poor visibilty in some local lakes that were still great dives and some great visibilty that turned out to be a worse dive, but every dive is a good dive in my book, jump in and blow some bubbles i promise you wont regret it.

 

[grantwiscour]

Give it a shot. Head south to warmer waters and use rental equipment provided by the Dive Op. Using their rental gear usually adds @ $20...your friend is right @ $50/dive.

If you are concerned about getting lost or problems get a guide to go with you. A guide is free at some places and $25-75 at others.

I bet you end up getting into more that you think.

 

[t-mac]

Go for it! Your concerns are normal and healthy. You will rapidly get over those with experience and you will continually develop new things to worry about. It is all part of the process.

In all seriousness, you will get more comfortable, but what you are feeling is the trill of a new challenge and the good thing about this is that there are so many different ways you will find to get that next challenge out of diving, you will rapidly become addicted. And don't stop at OW -- there's so much more to learn. I suggest AOW and even Rescue. You almost definitely will soon want a specialty or two (nitrox for one).

Yeah, $50 per dive or $100 per two tank is pretty normal a lot of places. Buddies are always available, but not always good, sorry to say. Be a serious buddy and don't be afraid to make your buddy be serious. This is another reason to train more and become more confident and self-reliant. Too often I see one buddy not taking things seriously and the other thinks that's cool or is afraid to speak up. Don't be one of those people. If you have the extra training you have the confidence to speak up and to do it with authority, making you and your numerous future buddies better, safer divers.

Sorry for the digression. Go get your cert -- you will not regret it.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

In Toronto and you think the closest place for good diving is Mexico?:shocked2: Well, maybe good diving? I'll give you that. But there is some friggin great diving within driving distance of you! You have the Great Lakes and the St Lawrence in your back yard:cool2:! I wrote a book last year that answers all of your questions, some you will have, some you won't know of till you see the answers, and how to choose training and what to expect and what you should get out out of training. The PDf version I email to you is only $10 through paypal. It's over 140 pages and there is a chapter on local diving as well and why it should be your first choice. Learning to dive is one of those things you should not do on a whim. You need to research and pick the best possible avenue for training. All basic training is not the same or even similar. Some will tell you it is but that's a lie. Everyone should put more thought into it than they do buying a new TV, but some don't put that much in. But most people don't know what questions to ask. I do and put them in the book. Along with the answers you should get. Pm or email me at jimlap212@comcast.net

 

[spectrum]

What happened to all of that water in the Great Lakes & Canada?

You want safety, be an active local diver. Join the local dive club, be active on your region's ScubaBoard forum. Establish dive duddy & mentor relationsips. No instabuddies or overzealous dive masters, look around that's where the horror stories come from. Enjoy the total relaxation of being neutral on a regular basis and watch your lawn go to heck as you find new priorities.

A (wise) friend told us as we were getting certified that real diving is nothing like getting certified.He was right. Once you get past the stupid diver tricks it all quiets down and you can focus on continuous improvment while setting the objectives for each dive.

You're on the cusp of someting very cool, don't restrict yourself to vacations. Also, most of that tropical stuff won't look like the pictures except in the shallowest water. As you go deeper blues greens and browns dominate.

Dive safe & often
Pete

 

[skankpile]

If you go to Mexico.. check with your boat/shop on the gear ahead of time if you rent. I'm not keen on using rental gear in Mexico.. or rental gear in general.

 

[Jax]

I've done the discover scuba course in Thailand and I must say it was a fantastic experience. Visibility was not the great in Pattaya but I know there's a completely different world once I get to do some real diving.

Before I make any commitment of my time and money, I'd like to know what a dive will look like after getting my open water certificate (not planning to go beyond, at least not in the next couple of years).

1. Being a Torontonian, the closest place that's good to dive is probably Cancun/Cozumel? If I rent everything, how much will it cost to do one dive if I do 2 or 3/day? A coworker tells me it's around $50 a dive, which I think is reasonable.

Mexico is a great place to get certified! Best diving conditions around! (Not counting Fiji, etc.)

2. Do people usually just meet up with random folks and dive together? None of my friends are interested in diving so I'm pretty much on my own if I do go diving.

Yes, they do. ScubaBoard is a great way to meet up with people in your area, too. Your Local Dive Shops (LDS) will often sponsor trips to warm places.

By the way, Welcome to ScubaBoard! :wavey:

3. One thing I'm uncomfortable with is moving around and surfacing without someone who knows what they're donig. My main concerns are "getting lost" (ie. swimming too far away from the boat), and surfacing and hitting something. What are the solutions for these concerns?

You will find that communications is a high priority in SCUBA. (1st is Do NOT hold your breath). You communicate with the person, telling him/her about your uncertainies. If you were diving with me, for example, I would put you in the lead. I might ask you, 'where's the boat'? to help you stay aware. Before we ascend, we signal each other, and check the surface. If you've looked up, and still hit the boat . . . well . . . You don't ascend that fast, so you can maneuver around what is above you. If you wanted, we would do drills once underwater, so you are comfortable with your insta-buddy.

4. Going to deep and surfacing too quickly are other concerns, but I guess that's what a dive computer is for?

NO! Awareness is what keeps you safe. Not the computer, nor its alarms, it is all about you! That is what training teaches you - awareness of your gas (air), awareness of where you are and what's around you, awareness of your buddy and are you within one breath's reach. Awareness. Computers are fun gadgets. Please learn tables, so your brain can double-check your computer.

I'm ready to commit but there are just a few things that I'm concerned about (primarily safety). Convince me to give this a shot! Thanks guys.

If you are committed to safety, then you will be a safe diver. It is that easy.

 

[TMHeimer]

All good advice from experienced people. Study the OW manual a lot and practise the skills. Try to find an experienced buddy and dive lots locally. Trips are great but most of us can't afford many, so you want a way to keep actively diving in between.

 

[garydemos]

I just finished my first ocean dives at Grand Cayman a couple weeks ago. I am HOOKED! It was breathtaking and the visibility was amazing - even down to 100'. I went with two different dive shops and had a great experience with both. Even though this was my first time, they made me feel very comfortable and I felt confident the whole time. They do so much for you - describe how the dive will go, how to enter and exit the water, etc. We all stayed in a group following the DM and it was very easy. So easy in fact that I now realize I am taking too much stuff for granted. Read the "What you are responsible for" sticky post to get a grasp on reality - but I say go for it and you won't regret it!