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Scuba Forum / General / February 2004Newbie Questions
Ok, I'm thinking about getting into scuba diving. I was going to do it about ten years ago but just didn't get around to it. Now I'm starting to think about doing it. Anyway, a few questions: Are there any crash courses to learn and get a scuba diving license? Like learn everything in a week? How are these courses? Are they safe? Do most divers learn this way? I was thinking of staying with family down in Florida for a week or two If I could find a company that could train me in a week. Are there any tests (paper tests) before you can get your diving permit? Do you have to explain how a regulator works and valves work and things like that? Since I live in a state far from any diving sites, what If I go to a YMCA or some other outfit and learn from them in their swimming pool. Would I still have to dive in open water to get certified? How much per person for basic scuba training? How much am I going to need to spend for basic equipment. Nothing great, just good beginner equipment that I can use to eventually swim in places around Florida. Thanks! Forget it, its too late now. You should have done it 10 years ago. The reefs are all f.cked now. Give it up. Buy a gun instead. > Ok, I'm thinking about getting into scuba diving. I was going to do it > about ten years ago but just didn't get around to it. Now I'm starting to [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > > Thanks! >Forget it, its too late now. You should have done it 10 years ago. The reefs >are all f.cked now. Give it up. Buy a gun instead. Right on...the woods are perfect...try Pennsylvania the first day of buck season %-} i agree there is no reason to learn to dive any more - there aren't any fish left they've all been caught, the reefs are dead, and boat trips are too damn expencive. > Ok, I'm thinking about getting into scuba diving. I was going to do it > about ten years ago but just didn't get around to it. Now I'm starting to [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > > Thanks! You want to be certified? Just go buy the equipment and your own air compressor, you don't need no stinkin' certification card... Air compressor too expensive for you? Just rent some O2 and N2 tanks from a local welding gas supply shop and mix your own air... O2 and Argon make for a more interesting mix though... <snicker> > Ok, I'm thinking about getting into scuba diving. I was going to do it > about ten years ago but just didn't get around to it. Now I'm starting to [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > > Thanks! Go to PADI.com, SSI.com, NAUI.com and GOOGLE.com. as to gear... from $0 if you steal someone elses. to $20K+ if you go the whole hog including Videocams and housings, CCR, Trimix and the works... Ask at your local dive shop, they will be able to refer you to a shop in warm waters to do your open water dives, while taking all the theory and pool dives themselves... if they don't forget them they aren't worth your money.. just send me a check instead.. it'd be cheaper and I can send you a photocopy of my card... Seriously tho... go talk it through with your local dive shop, doesn't matter witch agency, just so long as the instructor is worth his salt. And since you're a newbie on Rec.Scuba... invest in a solid pair of flame proof underdaks... you'll need em :) rhys > Ok, I'm thinking about getting into scuba diving. I was going to do it > about ten years ago but just didn't get around to it. Now I'm starting to > think about doing it. Anyway, a few questions: Time to quit thinking about it and do it. > Are there any crash courses to learn and get a scuba diving license? Yes, but even the longest of them isn't real long. The stuff you learn in your entry course is essential. We're talking about stuff that keeps you alive. It's not rocket science, but it does need to be fully learned and applied on every dive. > Like learn everything in a week? How are these courses? Are they safe? Do > most divers learn this way? I was thinking of staying with family down in > Florida for a week or two If I could find a company that could train me in a > week. I suggest you contact a local shop and do your academic and pool sessions at home. You can do your 4 open water dives in a day or two, someplace like Florida and have the rest of your vacation time to enjoy the diving. All of the certification agencies have referral programs that will let you split your course between home and elsewhere. PADI, NAUI and SSI all hve shops that do referrals in all the major diving destinations in Florida. > Are there any tests (paper tests) before you can get your diving permit? > Do you have to explain how a regulator works and valves work and things like > that? Yes, and no. There are tests. You have to know what to do and not do to be safe, but you don't have to know how a regulator works, at least not beyond knowing how to clear and breathe from one. > Since I live in a state far from any diving sites, what If I go to a > YMCA or some other outfit and learn from them in their swimming pool. Would > I still have to dive in open water to get certified? Yes, but you might be able to do that at home as well. A lake, for example, is considered open water. Personally, I think the idea of a referral course, split between home and someplace like Florida, is a good option. > How much per person for basic scuba training? It varies from shop to shop, area to area, and based on what is provided. We bought my wife's training at a charity auction for about $50. You're not likely to find such a deal these days. > How much am I going to need to spend for basic equipment. Nothing great, just good beginner equipment that I can use to eventually swim in > places around Florida. You're talking life support equipment, not toys. If you're not going to dive a lot, rent. Every dive shop and every dive boat in Florida has equipment available to rent. If you find you're diving enough, then buy your equipment later, when you have a better idea just exactly what you want. Lee >> Ok, I'm thinking about getting into scuba diving. I was going to do >it >> about ten years ago but just didn't get around to it. Now I'm starting to >> think about doing it. Anyway, a few questions: > >Time to quit thinking about it and do it. It's never too late. I started at 50. >> Are there any crash courses to learn and get a scuba diving license? > >Yes, but even the longest of them isn't real long. The stuff you learn in >your entry course is essential. We're talking about stuff that keeps you >alive. It's not rocket science, but it does need to be fully learned and >applied on every dive. It varies from organization to organization and instructor to instructor, but probably you can expect somewhere between 10 to 15 hours of classroom time and 3 to 6 hours at the pool. >> Like learn everything in a week? How are these courses? Are they safe? >Do >> most divers learn this way? I was thinking of staying with family down in >> Florida for a week or two If I could find a company that could train me in >a >> week. The courses are designed to give you the basics and are inherently safe. The real safety is up to the attitudes of your instructor and you. You'll have the tools you need to be safe though. >I suggest you contact a local shop and do your academic and pool sessions at >home. You can do your 4 open water dives in a day or two, someplace like >Florida and have the rest of your vacation time to enjoy the diving. All of >the certification agencies have referral programs that will let you split >your course between home and elsewhere. PADI, NAUI and SSI all hve shops >that do referrals in all the major diving destinations in Florida. Good advice if you don't live close to an appropriate open water check dive site. Lots of drylanders go this route. >> Are there any tests (paper tests) before you can get your diving permit? >> Do you have to explain how a regulator works and valves work and things >like >> that? The basic open water doesn't deal much with the mechanics of the gear, just the way to use it. There is an exam which tests what you've learned about dive safety, using the gear, and the effects of gas and water pressure on your body and mind. The tests are not difficult if you pay attention to the instructor. >> Since I live in a state far from any diving sites, what If I go to a >> YMCA or some other outfit and learn from them in their swimming pool. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > >> How much per person for basic scuba training? We have a full basic Open Water course starting here at the Y in a couple of weeks for $169 Cdn. That does not include your open water checkdives but does include pool time and gear. Some local instructors charge $200-$250 including check dives in a local silty quarry. The only added cost is gear rental and gas for the open water check dives. >> How much am I going to need to spend for basic equipment. Nothing great, >just good beginner equipment that I can use to eventually swim in [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >your equipment later, when you have a better idea just exactly what you >want. Basic rental quality gear (regs with console, mask, fins, snorkel) can be had for between $700 & $1,000. Wetsuit and computer will be from about $400 to some obscene amount if you go nuts in the wrong dive shop. Lee's advice about holding off on buying is excellent. Most of us bought too soon and then had to spend more money to buy what we really needed later. Most instructors only require that you bring your own mask, snorkel and fins to class. Try to borrow even those in the beginning. If you take the class at a resort in the Caribbean they'll supply everything but the basic course will be a little more expensive. The problem with buying too soon is that you may not know what kind of diving you really plan to be doing after you get your cert. If you don't live near decent diving then you may end up doing all nice warm tropical holiday diving like Florida's SE and the Caribbean. Then you won't want a 7mm wetsuit and gloves, hood etc. But if you discover that you like diving well enough to dive at home through the winter like many do up here in the Great Lakes region, then you may want different regs and better exposure gear. Have fun JF "I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent their government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them." - Thomas Jefferson (1743 - 1826) > We have a full basic Open Water course starting here at the Y in a > couple of weeks for $169 Cdn. That does not include your open water > checkdives but does include pool time and gear. Some local instructors > charge $200-$250 including check dives in a local silty quarry. The > only added cost is gear rental and gas for the open water check dives. That's a good price and the YMCA is a respected certification agency. Lee >> We have a full basic Open Water course starting here at the Y in a >> couple of weeks for $169 Cdn. That does not include your open water [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > >That's a good price and the YMCA is a respected certification agency. Sorry. Didn't mean to mislead. It's not a YMCA course, just being held at the local Y. It's one of the big names though and done by a very well-respected instructor. I've recommended it to a couple of folks locally. JF "I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent their government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them." - Thomas Jefferson (1743 - 1826) > It's never too late. I started at 50. > [quoted text clipped - 89 lines] > > Have fun Thanks for all the replies. I have already contacted a place down in Florida by e-mail and they already replied: http://www.divestation.com/index.asp They said they offer a three day class for around $424 per person and it is a private course, something that I would like. I believe it would be cheaper if there were more people. Right now I'm the only one wanting to do this but I might be joined by my three other brothers. Here's the thing. It looks like I have a choice. Learn all the basic stuff in a pool at the local dive shop (if its still there. The last time I drove past it was ten years ago or more) and then fly down to Florida and take the open water stuff. Or just fly down to Florida and do it all. I was leaning to doing it all down it Florida. A question: If I take the basic pool training up here how long do I have to take the open water stuff? Can there be a six month gap between the two? Again, thanks for the replies! > Thanks for all the replies. I have already contacted a place > down in Florida by e-mail and they already replied: [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > were more people. Right now I'm the only one wanting to do this but I > might be joined by my three other brothers. That's on the expensive side, but it's up to you. Personally, I enjoyed the social aspects of a group class. > Here's the thing. It looks like I have a choice. Learn all the > basic stuff in a pool at the local dive shop (if its still there. > The last time I drove past it was ten years ago or more) and then fly > down to Florida and take the open water stuff. Or just fly down to > Florida and do it all. I was leaning to doing it all down it Florida. Possibly the greatest benefit to spliting the course between home and Florida is that you get to spend more time in the water, in Florida that way. Florida is not exactly the least expensive place in the world and, personally, I'd rather be out enjoying it than be in a classroom getting dive instructions, particularly if I could do the everything but the open water diving when there's snow and ice on the ground. Since I live in Florida, make that, when it's cool and raining. With the referral course, you get 4 supervised dives, most, if not all of which contain some sightseeing time, and you're free to dive unsupervised to your heart's content. > A question: If I take the basic pool training up here how long > do I have to take the open water stuff? Can there be a six month gap > between the two? This has come up before, but I can't recall the answer for sure. I'll leave it up to the instructors in the group to respond. Just out of curiosity, what part of Florida do you have in mind? Lee > Again, thanks for the replies! (snip)> > A question: If I take the basic pool training up here how long > > do I have to take the open water stuff? Can there be a six month gap > > between the two? > > This has come up before, but I can't recall the answer for sure. I'll leave > it up to the instructors in the group to respond. I don't know the answer either from an instructor's or program point perspective. However, I believe that it is a very bad idea overall to wait six months without further reinforcement of the learned material and skills. If a person plans to do the referral system (ie: take the course and pool sessions at home, the OW on vacation), then I believe they are best served to have the referral follow the classes as soon as possible. IMO, a student would be doing themselves a great disservice by having that kind of time spread between classes and OW. (snip) > > Thanks for all the replies. I have already contacted a place > > down in Florida by e-mail and they already replied: [quoted text clipped - 32 lines] > > Just out of curiosity, what part of Florida do you have in mind? Anywhere around Orlando. >> Just out of curiosity, what part of Florida do you have in mind? > Anywhere around Orlando. Hopefully, you know that Orlando is not on the ocean. It's more or less in the middle of the state. You can get to the ocean from there, but even if you do, you're not in Florida's prime diving territory. The best diving in Florida is on the east coast, starting somewhere around the north end of Palm Beach County and extending all the way down the Keys and on to the Dry Tortugas. If family obligations require you to stop in for a visit with Mickey, then there's probably nothing better to do. If it were me, I'd probably let the diving go this trip and use the sacrifice as a lever to arrange a more diving friendly vacation in the future, in Ft. Lauderdale, for example. Lee > >> Just out of curiosity, what part of Florida do you have in mind? > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > arrange a more diving friendly vacation in the future, in Ft. Lauderdale, > for example. Thanks for the info. What about West Palm Beach Florida? I just found this site: http://www.thescubaclub.com/ > Thanks for the info. What about West Palm Beach Florida? I just found > this site: http://www.thescubaclub.com/ West Palm is much better. I don't know much about the Scuba Club, but I've heard of them and I don't recall hearing anything bad. I like Jim Abernethy's Scuba Adventure (I think that's the name of his operation) in that area. I also like the SS Minnow, but as far as I know, they cater to more advanced divers. Jim does the whole thing, from entry level to technical. Lee > > Thanks for the info. What about West Palm Beach Florida? I just > found [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Lee $400.00 sounds pretty good to me. Especially with everything thrown in including fins and stuff. The other thing I would have to do is get a hotel in that area. I probably wouldn't want to drive from Orlando to West Palm Beach every day. I've never been there, so what can I expect to find with regards to hotels? Are they all expensive or would I be able to find some nice but cheap hotels, like a Best Western or Holiday Inn? > Hopefully, you know that Orlando is not on the ocean. It's more or less in > the middle of the state. You can get to the ocean from there, but even if [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > arrange a more diving friendly vacation in the future, in Ft. Lauderdale, > for example. Or do the open water portion in some of the springs that are within driving distance of Orlando... Blue Springs would be appropriate since it has a nice spring pool before you get into the cavern and cave areas... >> > A question: If I take the basic pool training up here how long >> > do I have to take the open water stuff? Can there be a six month gap [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Anywhere around Orlando. Aaaaaaaaargh! Orlando is in the center of the state a long way from the good recreational diving. I don't think there is a fixed time limit between lessons and open water checkout, but I would recommend that it not be long. The open water work reinforces what you've learned in class and pool, better that it be fresh in yer mind. Suggest you also look for instruction in the Boynton/Lauderdale corridor or even in the Keys rather than Orlando. I think it might be cheaper as it is more competitive. > >> > A question: If I take the basic pool training up here how long > >> > do I have to take the open water stuff? Can there be a six month gap [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > or even in the Keys rather than Orlando. I think it might be cheaper as > it is more competitive. Here's an Orlando instructor: http://www.scubaboard.com/member.php?u=879 Personally, I'd take Mike's advice and find some place along the east coast. > Aaaaaaaaargh! Orlando is in the center of the state a long way from the > good recreational diving. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > or even in the Keys rather than Orlando. I think it might be cheaper as > it is more competitive. I just found another site last night and have already been in e-mail contact with them. http://www.thescubaclub.com/ They offer a four day course for $400 and include everything (including fins, mask, belt etc...) plus the open water dives are in the ocean. Located in West Palm Beach. I did buy a Scuba book at the book store. I have already read the most important parts, including using the dive tables. It does all seen rather simple, even the dive tables after I spent an hour or two studying it. The only thing that seems a little hard to understand is the chapter on science and all the scientific laws of compression and gravity and things, which I assume is not part of any scuba test. It really sounds like there are very few things to learn about scuba - lets see: never hold your breath, know how to clear your mask and second stage of water, know how to inflate and deflate your bc for buoyancy, know how to read those dive tables, know how to share your extra second stage with someone else, and know some hand signals. Did I miss any other important points? > > Aaaaaaaaargh! Orlando is in the center of the state a long way from the > > good recreational diving. [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > with someone else, and know some hand signals. Did I miss any other > important points? don't dive with strokes. -- Don't like the looks of nudists? Complain to the manufacturer. It has been reported by the Department of Homeland Security that on Mon, 09 Feb 2004 17:55:48 -0600 or thereabouts, Dazed and Confuzed <dedmann@netnitco.net> wrote the following intercepted missive >don't dive with strokes. ...or condescending experts -- they're always the first to die! CUL8r -- R*Horse www.sonic.net/~lkokot -- Lesson #1 - do not expect sane, rational behaviour from someone who dives. > I did buy a Scuba book at the book store. I have already read the most > important parts, including using the dive tables. It does all seen rather > simple, even the dive tables after I spent an hour or two studying it. The > only thing that seems a little hard to understand is the chapter on science > and all the scientific laws of compression and gravity and things, which I > assume is not part of any scuba test. Good move. You're mistaken about the laws governing compression of gas at depth, but it's not as hard as you think. The course will straighten that out, or somebody here will. If you've got specific questions, I'm sure you'll find people here more than happy to help. > It really sounds like there are very few things to learn about scuba - > lets see: never hold your breath . . . One of those things that can kill you if you don't remember. > . . . know how to clear your mask and second stage of water. . . The first is difficult for some people until they get the hang of it. The other's pretty simple. > know how to inflate and deflate your bc for buoyancy . . . A lot more complex than it sounds. This is the one skill that many divers take a long time to master. Most do it well enough to be safe. > know how to read those dive tables . . . Know how to abide by them as well. This is another thing that can kill you. > know how to share your extra second stage with someone else, and know some hand signals. > Did I miss any other important points? Probably, but I've had four beers and no sleep. I'll think about it in the morning. Lee > > I did buy a Scuba book at the book store. I have already read the > most [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > out, or somebody here will. If you've got specific questions, I'm sure > you'll find people here more than happy to help. No, I don't think I'm mistaken. I understand that if you hold your breath under water and start to surface the air in your lungs starts to expand because of less pressure, which could blow up your lungs. It's the same going down. The pressure compresses the air. It doesn't get more technical than that in a scuba class does it? And if yes are you tested on it? The laws I was talking about was stuff like Archimedes Principle, Boyles Law, Gay-Lussac's Law, Daltons and Henry's Laws. This is all from a chapter that covers the science of diving, and it has a bunch of mathematical formulas to calculate pressure, volume, and temperature. I scanned it but didn't put it to memory. > No, I don't think I'm mistaken. I understand that if you hold your > breath under water and start to surface the air in your lungs starts to [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > mathematical formulas to calculate pressure, volume, and temperature. I > scanned it but didn't put it to memory. It does get a little bit more complicated.. you'll probably be asked to do a couple of very simple calculations involving ambient and absolute pressure at various depths. You'll learn in the class exactly what the instructor will want you to know, and it will be easy. But the science will be on the test. BTW, a lot of the stuff (mask clearing, buoyancy control, etc) sounds extremely simple on the surface... but get very different when you're a few feet underwater. Just remember that land-logic doesn't necessarily correspond to water-logic and these things will take a bit of getting used to. You're off to a good start, just be sure you go into the class with the right attitude... you're there to learn from someone who knows what they're doing. You don't know it all. Jon > > No, I don't think I'm mistaken. I understand that if you hold your > > breath under water and start to surface the air in your lungs starts to [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > You'll learn in the class exactly what the instructor will want you to know, > and it will be easy. But the science will be on the test. Really? How hard are the calculations? Formulas (or mathematics) are not my strong point. Or is it basic adding? Is it harder than learning how to use the dive tables? Thanks! > > > No, I don't think I'm mistaken. I understand that if you hold your > > > breath under water and start to surface the air in your lungs starts to [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > > Thanks! Probably, you'll be asked to find the pressure at certain depths. This means that you'll have to be able to coorelate 33ft to psi (or bar, or ATM). It's really pretty simple stuff. Pressure @ sea level = 14.7 psi (1 Bar, 1 atm). Every 33 ft (approximately 10m) of water adds 14.7 psi (1 bar, 1 atm). basically, multiply and add... 66ft = 2 X 14.7 + 14.7 = 44.1 psi (3 bar, 3 atm)... That's probably as tough as it will get for Open Water cert. They may ask you to find percent change, but my test didn't. For instance, ascending from 33 ft to surface the pressure change is 29.4 psi to 14.7 psi. Pressure is decreased to half (14.7 / 29.4) so gas expands to double it's volume at depth (33ft). Basically, as long as you remember that 33 ft = an additional 14.7 psi (1 bat, 1 atm) and that pressure * volume is constant (for the test), you should do fine. Your instructor will *probably* be a little more explicit though. > > > > No, I don't think I'm mistaken. I understand that if you hold > your [quoted text clipped - 48 lines] > should do fine. Your instructor will *probably* be a little more explicit > though. Thanks for the info to all. One more question. Is all this in the Padi book/cd rom course that dive shops sell? > Thanks for the info to all. One more question. Is all this in the Padi > book/cd rom course that dive shops sell? I think so. Lee > Thanks for the info to all. One more question. Is all this in the Padi > book/cd rom course that dive shops sell? Yup... but the PADI Encyclopedia of Rec diving can be had on Ebay a hell of a lot cheaper than through padi and doesn't come standard with the OW course. You'll get the OW course book which covers it but the encyclopedia is far more detailed and covers a lot more topics. rhys > > > > > No, I don't think I'm mistaken. I understand that if you hold > > your [quoted text clipped - 61 lines] > Thanks for the info to all. One more question. Is all this in the Padi > book/cd rom course that dive shops sell? I certified through SSI, so I can't comment on the material in the PADI course. That having been said, I can't imagine it not being covered. > > You'll learn in the class exactly what the instructor will want you to > > know, and it will be easy. But the science will be on the test. > Really? How hard are the calculations? Formulas (or mathematics) are > not my strong point. Or is it basic adding? Is it harder than learning how > to use the dive tables? For the most part, it's simple multiplication or division and, in an open water course, it's likely to be kept quite simple, i.e. nice round amounts and the like. The idea is to teach the concepts and how to use them, not to see if you can do complex math. Personally, I found the tables to be the most difficult part of my course. The math and science were easy. The reverse may be true for you, but it's really not all that difficult. If you have problems, it's almost certain that you've missed the concept rather than that you can't do the math, even though it may not seem like it at the time. If you run into problems, come back and ask again. We don't mind helping. Lee > > Good move. You're mistaken about the laws governing compression of gas at > > depth, but it's not as hard as you think. The course will straighten that > > out, or somebody here will. If you've got specific questions, I'm sure > > you'll find people here more than happy to help. > No, I don't think I'm mistaken. I understand that if you hold your > breath under water and start to surface the air in your lungs starts to > expand because of less pressure, which could blow up your lungs. It's the > same going down. The pressure compresses the air. It doesn't get more > technical than that in a scuba class does it? Yes, it does. Planning a dive usually includes consideration of your consumption rate and your consumption rate depends on the pressure at which you breathe the gas. > And if yes are you tested on it? I was. You should be. > The laws I was talking about was stuff like Archimedes Principle, > Boyles Law, Gay-Lussac's Law, Daltons and Henry's Laws. This is all from a > chapter that covers the science of diving, and it has a bunch of > mathematical formulas to calculate pressure, volume, and temperature. I > scanned it but didn't put it to memory. You'll be exposed to what you need in the academic portion of your course and will be tested on it. The fact that you've even reviewed it, puts you ahead of most new divers. Lee > You'll be exposed to what you need in the academic portion of your course > and will be tested on it. The fact that you've even reviewed it, puts you > ahead of most new divers. That's the point. I want to learn it all even before I sighn up for the class. I'm going to order the PADI CD rom course and see if I understand it all. I don't want to pay $400.00 and get down there and flunk because I forgot how to do a simple formula. I want to be well prepared. Then again, maybe I shouldn't worry. One instructor that I e-mailed said everybody passes his course. > > You'll be exposed to what you need in the academic portion of your course > > and will be tested on it. The fact that you've even reviewed it, puts you [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > maybe I shouldn't worry. One instructor that I e-mailed said everybody > passes his course. I'd be very hesitant myself of taking a course from someone that says all his students pass. You don't think there's a possibility that he means he'll lower the standard until even the poorest student can meet it? As well, I'm inclined to agree with Lee. The average newbie student has never even been exposed to scuba other than what they may have observed on TV or in the movies or magazines. Don't try so hard to learn it all before going in - there's a possibility you can end up with a superiority complex and nothing defeats the purpose of taking the course faster. Relax and be prepared to LEARN. Stop trying so hard to teach yourself everything. At best it's not necessary and at worst you could teach yourself WRONG and then you'd be in a fine mess. (I know what I'm talking about) > One instructor that I e-mailed said everybody > passes his course. Whats your details? I wanna take out a life insurance policy on you with myself as the beneficary if you go with him. rhys > That's the point. I want to learn it all even before I sighn up for the > class. I'm going to order the PADI CD rom course and see if I understand it > all. I don't want to pay $400.00 and get down there and flunk because I > forgot how to do a simple formula. Relax. You are going to be amazed at how simple the course is. The fact that you can breathe pretty much guarantees a pass. >I want to be well prepared. Breathe in, breathe out. There...you're prepared. > Then again, > maybe I shouldn't worry. Bingo. > One instructor that I e-mailed said everybody > passes his course. Pretty much everybody passes the course. It is very, very hard not to. Brian Edmonton, Alberta > It is very, very hard not to. Assuming your check doesn't bounce, of course.  Signature"We're going to rush the hijackers." -Jeremy Glick, aboard United Airlines flight 93, September 11, 2001 > It really sounds like there are very few things to learn about scuba - > lets see: never hold your breath, know how to clear your mask and second > stage of water, know how to inflate and deflate your bc for buoyancy, know > how to read those dive tables, know how to share your extra second stage > with someone else, and know some hand signals. Did I miss any other > important points? Well, you need to know how to make coffee if you're going to be a dive master... > > It really sounds like there are very few things to learn about scuba - > > lets see: never hold your breath, know how to clear your mask and second [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > Well, you need to know how to make coffee if you're going to be a dive > master... Only in a coffee drinking country... rhys > > Aaaaaaaaargh! Orlando is in the center of the state a long way from the > > good recreational diving. [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > and all the scientific laws of compression and gravity and things, which I > assume is not part of any scuba test. Laws of Compression (Boyle's and Henry's) are EXTREMELY important (at least, the ideas they represent are). You will see them, or at least Boyle's law in a written exam in some manner. > It really sounds like there are very few things to learn about scuba - > lets see: never hold your breath, know how to clear your mask and second > stage of water, know how to inflate and deflate your bc for buoyancy, know > how to read those dive tables, know how to share your extra second stage > with someone else, and know some hand signals. Did I miss any other > important points? Probably the most important point. Make sure that your gear matches and is fashionable. Other than what you wrote and the fashion aspect, the rest is icing... ;-) It has been reported by the Department of Homeland Security that on Mon, 09 Feb 2004 23:46:20 GMT or thereabouts, "Von Fourche" <monaco8292@hotmail.com> wrote the following intercepted missive: >> Aaaaaaaaargh! Orlando is in the center of the state a long way from the >> good recreational diving. [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] >with someone else, and know some hand signals. Did I miss any other >important points? In my short, rather mild career in scuba, the following has happened to me: got sick in my regulator -- fun! slipped my tank ran out of air got mashed in heavy surf got separated from my buddy got caught downcurrent from the dive boat For a start, begin to think how you would deal with emergencies such as these. sh.t happens, and always at the least convenient time. The most important lessons have to be learned through trial and error. And never, never, NEVER panic. You won't die, don't worry! CUL8r -- R*Horse www.sonic.net/~lkokot -- Lesson #1 - do not expect sane, rational behaviour from someone who dives. > You won't die, don't worry! Tell it to black. Signature"C'mon, you sons of bitches, you want to live forever?" -Sergeant Major Dan Daly > > Thanks for all the replies. I have already contacted a place > > down in Florida by e-mail and they already replied: [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > That's on the expensive side, but it's up to you. Personally, I enjoyed the > social aspects of a group class. My dive buddy in the group class was an attractive woman. She was flirting with me like crazy - the only problem was that she was planning a trip to Belize with her current BF (who was already a certified diver). She had this poor guy wrapped around her finger - he was so jealous that he suited up and got in the water with us when we were doing our pool sessions. You wouldn't get this kind of entertainment in a private lesson :-). -Eric >> > Thanks for all the replies. I have already contacted a place >> > down in Florida by e-mail and they already replied: [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > >-Eric Be glad you weren't taking a spearfishing class! Rick Simms ******************************************** "Isn't it interesting that the same people who laugh at science fiction listen to weather forecasts and economists?" "Rick Simms (Rick Simms)" <rick_simms@sharks.eat.spammers.bellsouth.net> wrote in message news:402af920.269468890@newsgroups.bellsouth.net... > >> > Thanks for all the replies. I have already contacted a place > >> > down in Florida by e-mail and they already replied: [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > Be glad you weren't taking a spearfishing class! Indeed. I might have "accidentally" shot him in the a.s, and I could have gotten into all kinds of trouble :-). -Eric > This has come up before, but I can't recall the answer for sure. I'll leave > it up to the instructors in the group to respond. > > Lee straight from the 2003 PADI Instructor manual, page 20 of section one... General Standards and Procedures, Referrals. Point 4. 4. For all PADI Courses the maximum referral time is 12 months from the last completed training segment except for Adventures in Diving program and Speciality Diver courses which have no maximum time limit. rhys >> This has come up before, but I can't recall the answer for sure. I'll > leave [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > rhys Personally, I'd consider 12 months far far too long. ymmv > >> This has come up before, but I can't recall the answer for sure. I'll > > leave [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > ymmv Yeah... I'm surprised myself... more people would run out of time and have to Pay Another Dollar In for a scuba review if it was a 3 month limit... :) rhys |
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