Winter Practice

[SkipperJohn]

I am only recently certified with a total of 1 post cert dive under my belt. I am not about to dive in my area here in the winter & I need lots and lots of practice so I can hone my skills for this summer (& because I bought most of the gear I will be using and want to get familiar with it). Do dive shops offer pool sessions for this purpose? Is a buddy required? About how much do you think such a session should cost?
I'll be calling my local shop but would like to hear your experiences & thoughts.

 

[Jang]

For $10pp for use of their class equipement and tanks, you can play in the pool at my LDS, so long as there is no scheduled class. Being in the land of 6 month winters, unless you're an ice diver or can go somewhere warm, that's all there is. Yes, you need a buddy.

 

[SkipperJohn]

I just called my LDS. They said I can use the pool like anyone else (they do swimming as well). The fee is $15 per half-hour. They said because it's a pool, no buddy required.

 

[seaducer]

John, I know you are dieing to use your stuff, but a word of caution. Chlorine and scuba gear don't mix. If you can get rental gear from your shop, use that. You have all the time in the world to dive your nice new equipment this coming season, keep it looking brand new by using someone else's gear in the pool.

 

[NudeDiver]

I am only recently certified with a total of 1 post cert dive under my belt. I am not about to dive in my area here in the winter

Why not go dive in the winter? Lots of people do. Some brand new divers even certify in the winter.

Do dive shops offer pool sessions for this purpose? Is a buddy required? About how much do you think such a session should cost?

Unlikely. Even when they have a class, their insurance requirements are generally such that if you are not in the class, you can't be there in the pool, or other water hanging out with them while the class is going on. .

But, you can check with the local pools. The ones around here allow people to SCUBA practice when they are open for lap swims. The fee is the same as if you were there doing lap swims, which is something like $6 or $7 for 2 hours or however long tha lap swim session is. No, they do not require a buddy. No, I do not use a buddy when I do this. As for whether or not you NEED a buddy - that's for you to determine.

Good luck!
nd

 

[DiverDurf]

I just called my LDS. They said I can use the pool like anyone else (they do swimming as well). The fee is $15 per half-hour. They said because it's a pool, no buddy required.

I am a noob just like you, but I feel as though I should caution you on the no buddy diving in the pool. Since you said you only have one post-cert dive, be cogniscent that you don't become over confident since it's only pool diving. A lot can still happen in the deep end, and with us being new we still don't know when or if unforeseen panic may set in. If that happens, and you're alone in the deep end on the bottom, you may have a bad situation arise.

It's just a thought my friend but I totally understand your line of thinking. I'd like to think that my training has prepared me for any emergency that may arise in shallow diving like a pool; but as the pro's on here will tell you, you just never know and it would be nice to swim with a friend (even if they just swim nearby and keep an eye on you).

 

[editmojo]

The best place for winter practice is the Carribbean.

This is not acceptable.

 

[themagni]

John, I know you are dieing to use your stuff, but a word of caution. Chlorine and scuba gear don't mix. If you can get rental gear from your shop, use that. You have all the time in the world to dive your nice new equipment this coming season, keep it looking brand new by using someone else's gear in the pool.

Is it worse than salt water?

 

[mndvr132]

It is on wetsuits. Chlorine fades them quickly.

 

[Garrobo]

I go south once a month and do a couple days in the Keys. I also use the local YMCA pool now and then to try out new equipment or to just get wet. Since I'm a member there is no extra charge. I fill my tanks at the local fire station at no charge also. I haven't noticed any fading or other deterioration because of the chlorine.