Know what, Bookymad? There are several obvious intelligent divers who post here. That TS&M girl/guy always has something intelligent to write and Spectrum is another that always seems to make interesting, relevant, and intelligent comments. There are others but those two come to mind.
Like you, I am very much a new diver. I got certified in June, 2006 and have completed around 50 dives so far, all but about 10 in the carribean. A few weeks back, I was on a live-aboard cruise. Everyone there was a seasoned experienced diver, well everyone but me. I soon met several very nice people who were excellent dive buddies and enjoyed the whole trip immensely.
I did many things that were a first for me, dives that were beyond my training and kinda scary. I did a couple of night dives, a couple of drift dives and a few deep dives. I was very apprehensive about the night dives. The current was almost always present, and the thought of being in the dark with current pushing me somewhere away from the boat was something I was very concerned about.
But, after everyone telling me how night dives are great dives and how everything is different at night, I decided I just have to try it. So, I decided I am going down the mooring line and staying in a tight 10-20 foot circle around the line. But after I was down, I got more and more comfortable and ended up swimming along with two great guys I trusted as good divers and enjoyed the dives tremendously. And after the first 5-10 minutes, all apprehension disappeared.
The drift dives were incredible, just hang with the group and watch the scenery as you float by. Although, I may not want to do a drift time every dive, I sure would like to do a drift dive on a regular basis.
As for deep dives....well, frankly, I have not seen anything at 95 feet that I havent seen at 40-50 feet. Just as you stated, Bookymad, 50 feet of water over your head is a lot of water and like you, I discovered I cant breath water too well.
But again, I trusted and felt comfortable with my dive buddies. I went down to 95 and 100 feet because the reef was there and we all enjoyed seeing that eel stick his head out or to look for those lobsters hiding in the nooks and crannies of the reef.
Still, I would much prefer a shallow dive, I can stay down longer, feel safer and see almost everything I can see at a deeper depth.
As for your fears. I will readily admit that I became a certified diver because I wanted to see brightly colored fish, the magic of reefs and all the splendor under water offers. My OW course was a nightmare though and I wondered what was I thinking in deciding to do this. I aint no spring chicken and swimming those 12 laps and then treading water for 15 minutes on the first night had me close to checking out on day 1.
The open water check out dives were no fun. Do this, do that, flood your mask, flood it again. I hated it and if that is what diving is, I would quit.
But after my final checkout dive. I dove with a friend who is an experienced diver and all I had to do was pay attention to him and follow him around as he tried to point out all the things I became certified to see. When we got up, I was amazed to discover that was the best dive I ever had. And really, it was a nothing dive, we just explored some old wreck off Panama City, FL, the Black Bart.
Bookymad, if you wanted to dive for the same reasons I did, because you want to see beauty beyond what you can find on any sidewalk, then suffer through the OW course. Do as well as you can, pay attention as hard as you can and realize that the better trained you are, the safer you are going to feel.
Take your first 25-50 dives and work on buoyancy, trim, knowing how to do proper ascents and safety stops. Become comfortable and soon you will find yourself paying more attention to the scenery then to the sound of your bubbles as you concentrate on whether you are breathing right or not.
Diving is great. Get Clay Coleman's book, The Certified Diver's Handbook. Live life, dont just live.
