Any qualified scuba divers out there?

[keith_d]

Originally Posted by SUPERSTARDJ01

Pick a good school

Of course you only recognise a good school when you've been diving for a while.



Here's my 2d worth.

1) Start off by doing a PADI Open Water qualification somewhere warm with plenty of interesting fish. Then spend a few days going diving and see how you get on.

After 20 or 30 dives a lot of the basic stuff starts to become routine and you can concentrate on skills like buoyancy.

2) When you get back think about whether you want to take up UK diving. Diving in the UK is harder work than diving in the tropics because the water is colder and you need more insulation. But there are some great dives around our coasts.

If that appeals start looking at your local dive clubs to find one that goes diving regularly and drinks plenty of beer. The beer is essential because UK dives are sometimes cancelled due to sea conditions and you need something to do while the rain is lashing against the windows.

On the plus side, once you're used to diving in the UK tropical diving is an absolute doddle.

Just my thoughts,

Keith.

[Kenzie]

We were thinking the same about UK diving. If we learn here then anywhere else would be straightforward! Going to chat with Diveline on Friday/Saturday and see what they can offer. Also going to the London International Dive show at the Excel. This ties in with the Triathlon Show, London Cycle Show as well and the MCN bike show.

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by Kenzie

We were thinking the same about UK diving. If we learn here then anywhere else would be straightforward! Going to chat with Diveline on Friday/Saturday and see what they can offer. Also going to the London International Dive show at the Excel. This ties in with the Triathlon Show, London Cycle Show as well and the MCN bike show.

Diveline are very good, they charge the air bottle we use at work for our BA equipment.

If you ask politely, they might give you a free trial dive in their pool. Its great fun & warm.

My sister did her PADI course somewhere near Peterborough, but she's been diving all over the world, usual places.

[Kenzie]

Popped in and spoke with David at Diveline. We have taken the first step and picked up the training packs. Will do the theory first while we put some money aside.

[maviczap]

Cool, I'd love to do it, but I have too many expensive hobbies already.

[Kenzie]

It's not too bad for the training, I think its the kit that will cost!

Sent from my Kindle Fire

[maviczap]

Yes, although I bet you can get some stuff 2nd hand, like the air cylinders & harnesses

[keith_d]

Originally Posted by maviczap

Yes, although I bet you can get some stuff 2nd hand, like the air cylinders & harnesses

Here's what I bought new and what second-hand.

New:

Computer (these days I'd get a secondhand vyper)
Regulators
Mask
Drysuit

Secondhand:

Wetsuit
Backplate & wing (similar to BCD)
Weight harness
Fins
Weights
Torch

I bought a lot of my secondhand kit from club members. The club also had a reasonable amount of equipment that the trainees could use on club dives which helped to spread the cost a bit when I started out.

I used club cylinders for a long while, then bought a couple of new ones in a sale because secondhand ones almost all needed testing which worked out almost the same as new ones.

Keith.

[Kenzie]

From speaking to the chap at Diveline, there are just some things that are not worth skimping on, as you have said in your new only section. Looking at the prices in their shop, mask and fins aren't too badly priced. Going to looks at LIDS next week and try on some masks and stuff. Would you recommend normal or split fins?

[Kenzie]

Originally Posted by Teejayexc

Must resist, must resist......

You know you want to!

Sent from my Kindle Fire