I Want To Try Scuba Diving

den's wife · 12-12-2011, 09:34 PM

We live on the Lake Erie and have a dive shop in our town. I'm thinking of taking up scuba diving next summer. This winter we're going south for a couple of weeks. I don't want to try to qualify to do scuba diving before we go but I was wondering if I could give it a try while we're on our vacation. What are the rules for this?

ppine · 12-13-2011, 10:41 AM

Be aware of the dangers related to diving of which there are many. You need to be a good swimmer and comfortable in the water to consider it. A good dive instructor will weed out people that shouldn't dive. For instance, can you dive into the deep end of a swimming pool to retreive all your gear on the bottom? If someone shuts off your air and takes your mask will you panic? Can you swim a mile?

Snorkeling is the best way for many people to experience the water. You can't get deep enough to get into serious trouble for the most part.

Lake Erie is deep, cold, and has average to crummy visibility. That creates some hazards. I know people that dive in Lake Tahoe at night all year long. It has never interested me. The tropics on the other hand, hold a strong fascination for diving.

Pathfinder1 · 12-13-2011, 11:15 AM

[QUOTE=ppine;50363]

Snorkeling is the best way for many people to experience the water. You can't get deep enough to get into serious trouble for the most part.

Hi...

Yes, I think that's a good suggestion. I've never scuba dived (not officially, anyway), but I've done some snorkeling in the Bahamas. It was good fun and excercise...discounting a piece of something "poisionous" that broke off in my big toe.

Some people told me it was a piece of coral, but I never found out for sure.

Grandpa · 12-13-2011, 11:33 AM

My dream as a kid was to learn to scuba, then go to the reservoir and hook a couple of lines together from opposite sides of the lake and watch them yank each other. Then make a big critter looking thing to stick up in the middle of the lake on opening day of fishing season. Don't you think Devil Creek Reservoir should have some sort of devil in it? Okay, me bad, but I never did it.

My son-in-law and daughter both dive and he is a certified instructor.

oldsarge · 12-13-2011, 03:57 PM

Back when I was a weak swimmer, I started snorkeling to help me build confidence in the water. I agree that this is a good way to prepare for scuba. As far as scuba diving on vacation, I have heard that there are places you can get some training prior to going out and doing some diving with a guide. Normaly these dives are preaty safe from what I was told. Nothing to deep or too long of a bottom time. This would be another way to get a taste of diving before going out and signing up for classes.

Lovefall · 12-13-2011, 07:52 PM

I don't know of any rules... it sure sounds fun. If it's something you want to try then go for it. Check it out off-season so you are ready to go when it's nice out. I bet it will be so much fun!

**CozInCowtown** · 12-14-2011, 06:55 AM

If at first you dont suceeds.....so much for skydiving.
I think the same can be said for scuba!

ejdixon · 12-19-2011, 09:47 PM

I really wouldn't consider these to be rules. More like tips:

1. Take some time to condition your body to carry all of the weight of the equipment. The oxygen tank alone can be quite heavy. Combine that with the increase of pressure as you go down, it can make you tire more easily causing you to use up your oxygen quicker and having to go up after just a short time.

2. If you can afford some time to get your certification before your trip, so much the better. There are resorts that will give one-day lessons to get you to dive but they can be rather expensive.

3. Like what oldsarge said, do a bit of snorkeling first to get your confidence while swimming. Going down can be quite overwhelming and if you're not that confident, the conditions can easily make you panic.

4. Pay attention to the signals that they teach.

5. Dive with a more experienced buddy.