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Toadie:Ok, so I'm on my way.... today I ordered what appears to be one of the best gee-golly-whiz-bang dive computers on the market(thanks for that by the way, that's a pretty neat way to describe it)
First things first... I'd like to also chime in for scuba toys... Kip helped me out with my Aries Elite and he price matched for me, and even better, had a ton of information. I'm glad I called you guys. I belong to several boards in other hobbies and I always try to support the sponsers. Doing so here, will be a very easy decision.
Second, I totally agree with you Derek... although I"m a newbie in this hobby, I'm quite experienced in many others where the terms life and death are common. (ice climbing, mountaineering, blah blah blah)
Reliance on equipment is never a substitute for a good solid foundation of skills and the fact that a dive computer is an excellent tool, it shouldn't be used as the only source of ones knowledge. As stated in my original post, I have every intention of using the dive tables and planning my dives with those. By using the two, and correct me if I'm wrong... I'll be able to learn the differences and deltas between the two systems, and be able to plan more effiecent dives.
As for the certification part, perhaps I should be more clear...
I have taken the discover scuba program and have logged a massive... get ready for this....5 dives under my belt!! So, while that isn't really experience, it does tell me that I won't freak out and that I know what I"m getting into from a basic perspective. I'm very comfortable in and under the water....but now I want the skills to go along with it.
When I contacted my dive shop there were a few options I could pick from with regard to my open water component... being in Denver, and the fact that it's winter I wasn't really thrilled about my local testing options. So I asked if there was a dive trip that I could join. The LSD said yes that there was one in Cozumel coming up with 6 others. At that point I gathered the details (recreational dives, testing dives, etc) During this time (about 2 hours) the dive master and I spoke in depth about all kinds of diving, things I like to do etc... I expressed an interest in doing walls, wrecks, and shark dives. He then said to me that while I was to be doing my recreational dives, the other members of the group are going to be doing AOW and Nitrox. He said that it may be something I want to consider based on our conversation and since we'll be doing it anyway, it won't be any trouble. He also told me to see what I thought about my pool dives, and let him know anytime before our trip so I can get my studying in.
Hence my post... I wanted to see what experienced divers thought that didn't have a vested interest, so to speak. So, earlier this week I stopped in for about an hour and we talked in great depth about dive computers, tables, navigation, etc. Needless to say, it was an offer that was put out as an option for me. Also, if for some reason I don't pass my OW dives, I won't be charged for the other certs.
I feel very comfortable with the shop but I'll know more after this weekend when I do my confined dives. Although, when I was in the Dominican doing my discover scuba, there wasn't any anxiety, nervousness, etc. So, I'm feeling pretty confidant.
