Scuba

**TimmyBoston** · 06-06-2007, 10:58 PM

Over the past year, I've developed a real urge to learn to Scuba dive. We have Slider, our resident expert, along with a few recreational divers here.

What's the best way to get started? And any other words of wisdom would be appreciated as well.

**Xert** · 06-06-2007, 11:12 PM

Tim, a few more posts like this and we may find ourselves more alike than different!

**TimmyBoston** · 06-07-2007, 02:43 AM

Originally Posted by Xert

Tim, a few more posts like this and we may find ourselves more alike than different!

I have a feeling our tastes are very much alike.

**Labarum** · 06-07-2007, 02:51 AM

Both of my childen learned at a PADI School in Cyprus.

They say PADI means "Put-another-Dollar-in"

But of course you must go to a good school where all the correct safety procedures are followed.

http://www.padi.com/padi/default.aspx

**Mama Bear** · 06-07-2007, 03:32 AM

+1 on Padi... even most of the schools overseas are great. I took my open water classes here in Chicago close to 20 years ago and my certification dive was in Cozumel... it has been tough to beat the diving there. I was certified as an advanced open water in Hawaii and got a number of specialty courses in as well as the rescue course in Negril. Jamaican diving is pretty durn good too.... there is one dive they call the throne room where you dive down into a crack and come out in the most beautiful cave you can imagine with nothing but sand everywhere, the crack and cave are built into a shelf.

Diving is even better than riding my Harley. If I was young I would want to do what SLider is doing tho.. I am living vicariously through him...

I love my split fins by the way.... ;-) Some day I will get to Maldive...

**Frank7580** · 06-07-2007, 07:05 AM

Hi Tim,

I gained my open water & advanced OW through PADI as well. When looking at training programs there are good things about most of them but I found PADI instructors/services to be most prevalent in the areas I was intending to dive.

That said I haven't been under the water in almost a decade. (I mostly notice my diver's license when I have to pay my life insurance premium each year

.) However, the experiences that I've had diving in the Florida keys have been amazing!

I believe that you're in Indiana... not a locale known for its underwater radiance but I'm sure that there are some competent instructors & programs near you.

My one recommendation is, if possible, take your training with an outfit that offers a trip to a nice diving location (read tropical w/ clear water) to do your check-out/certification dives. Many people opt to complete their certification in a cold rock quarry. This is a cheap way to get certified but the experience is usually not at all comparative to the reasons one wants to dive in the first place. You'll have a much better experience finishing your training in warm water where you can enjoy the sea life.

**Mottern Man** · 06-07-2007, 07:13 AM

I learned in Guam. Sorry I can't help you states side.

I will tell you this, its fun.

**SLider** · 06-09-2007, 10:54 AM

Just caught wind of this thread...

whatever agency you choose, where ever in the world you choose to do it, you training should be very very similair. All the agencies have standardized traing programs, so the training will be the same where ever you take the course. My suggestion is to go with one of the top three agencies, as they will be recognized world wide. Those are PADI, NAUI, and SSI. PADI is far and away the largest, so chances are most dive shops you walk into will be running PADI courses.

My suggestion for you would be to find the closest local dive shop, and go in and ask them about it. The course should run between $200-300, which would include all the materials you'll need, plus scuba equpiment for the pool sessions. I've found that some places will not provide mask, fins, and snorkel to try and encourage you to buy them. They do this because research shows people who own equipment, even if it is just the mask, fins, and snorkel, will continue to dive much more frequently than those who don't have equipment. If you do choose to buy those rather than rent them, the cost of mask, fins, and snorkel will be anywhere between $120 - $350.

A PADI course has 5 knowledge development sessions, 5 confined water sessions, and 4 open water dives. Chances are a shop will run either a two week course, holding 4 hour sessions (half class/half pool) on MWF nights, or they'll do one night a week for 5 weeks, and then on the last weekend you'll complete your 4 open water dives (2 saturday, 2 sunday).

I'm leaving for the islands tomorrow, if you have any questions, please let me know and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.

It's the best thing I've done with my life, I'm sure you will enjoy it