What To Do AfterYears-Long Surface Interval?

[ailema]

Greetings,

I am a 50-year-old F diver, having received my OW certification in the mid-80s. (PADI/YWCA?) I dove intermittently over the years but, shamefully, never kept a log book. I last dove about 4 years ago. I love the sport, and it always feel like riding a bicycle, but I know I could use a refresher of some sort, for my own safety as well as that of others with whom I might dive. My friend has just decided to try diving and has enrolled in a class. She'll then do her OW check-out dives on our upcoming trip to the Caribbean. I have neither the time nor the money right now to do a class, but figured I could do some self-study to refresh my recollection and then repeat some OW certification dives with her on our trip.

I'd appreciate ideas about how to approach my re-entry, including current textbook titles I might use as "refresher" reading materials. Any advice or comments are welcome.

 

[Jasonmh]

One thing you might think about is most LDSs offer some kind of refresher course that is much less than the full OW course. You might want to take that opportunity to both be evaluated by an instructor and evaluate yourself as far as comfort level and ability. Good Luck!

 

[nereas]

Not a whole lot has changed over the past 4 years. Dive computers are still basically the same. Exposure suits are about the same too. B/Cs and backplates have seen the most upgrades. Talk to an instructor at your local dive shop and he/she can spend a day with you in class and 2 dives in the open water and get you up to speed.

After your initial orientation, you may want to get nitrox certified, and start diving with it. Nitrox gives you an added measure of safety because there is less inert gas in your breathing mix, and therefore your risk of DCS goes down.

The technical aspects of the class will get you back up to speed with dive planning.

Nitrox changes everything, for the better.

 

[Steve50]

Do you still have your certification card ?

 

[ailema]

Do you still have your certification card ?

thanks for the replies!

yes, i do still have my card.

 

[ailema]

. . . most LDSs offer some kind of refresher course that is much less than the full OW course. . . .

i'm in NYC and haven't come across a shop that offers one that seems to address my circumstances. if you know of one, i'd welcome a name.

thanks!

 

[Wildcard]

PADI as well as others offer a refresher class. One dive in shallow water where you go through skills and get comfortable again. Well worth it if you have been dry for too long. Good luck!

 

[paradicio]

If you will be with your friend in the Carribean doing the check out dives you might want to inquire as to whether or not that establishment offers a refresher course.

 

[drbill]

A refresher course would probably be a good idea. On the bright side... at least all the residual nitrogen from your last dive is long gone from your tissues! Welcome back to the sport.

 

[427Dave]

Quite a few years ago in St. Martin the dive shop there had a video and then a shallow dive set up as a refresher. They were requiring it if you did not have a log book (which I left home) I did it, no big deal and had fun at it. I would recommend it and I bet the shop you are diving with in the carribean will offer something.

Welcome back to diving.