The Red Sea to the Pacific Northwest - Get Training or Go Diving Advice

grammaticus · Jun 11, 2014

I've been diving around the world for over 20 years; however, the majority of my diving experiences have been in warm water although I've dove in a lake a few times in Washington State. I am going on vacation in Washington State to see family in July and would like to do some diving.

I know the Pacific Northwest is cold because I grew up there.

I wanted to take a rescue diving course, either with PADI or SDI, while I am there because I believe the training is much more rigorous (with some instructors) than what I can get in Egypt, where I am currently working. On the other hand, I am thinking it would be wiser to get dry suit certified and do a few dives in the Puget Sound instead.

Any advice would be helpful. Thanks.

dbulmer · Jun 11, 2014

I'm not familiar with the USA but from what I have read the PNW sounds like the UK except with better vis and diving.

I think that your best bet is local diving and drysuit first.

Getting used to the drysuit in my opinion is a longer learning curve so it would benefit you to do the local training and diving first.
It also gives you a newer perspective on diving with the extra exposure equipment which would be useful when you go for rescue ie different water conditions, cold water stress.

In your position I'd probably want to send a private message to a member of this forum called NWGratefulDiver.

grammaticus · Jun 11, 2014

Thanks for the advice.

MXGratefulDiver · Jun 11, 2014

I'd recommend a drysuit class and some diving, then depending on your schedule if you can get into a Rescue class that's a good idea too. But Rescue class doesn't really involve much actual diving, and you're probably going to want to do it in a drysuit anyway.

Shoot me a PM if you want more details on diving here ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

TSandM · Jun 11, 2014

I'm with Bob. Although I believe Rescue is an excellent class and that everyone should take it at some point, I don't think it is necessarily true that the class is better in the PNW. On the other hand, we do have very interesting and enjoyable diving here. I'd go with the dry suit training and local diving, especially if you take a day or two to go out on our charter boats and dive some of the rock reefs we have.

If you need a buddy or advice on shops/instructors/charters, give a holler! (Although if you hook up with Bob, you can't do better.)

DivemasterDennis · Jun 11, 2014

Add me to the drysuit training and local diving side of the discussion.
DivemasterDennis

btw2459 · Jun 13, 2014

Dry suit class and diving would be thoughts as well. It is certainly a skill that needs to be mastered and practiced. Rescue can be completed anywhere with a good instructor- of course.

The Red Sea to the Pacific Northwest - Get Training or Go Diving Advice

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