What to Consider as a New Student to Diving?

[k ellis]

Hi. My summer is getting more boring each day so I plan to go scuba diving. Thing is, I have asthma. Can I stand the water pressure of the ocean? Anyways, GDI's post have been very helpful. Can I go scuba diving without taking any lessons? Can I just ask help from a friend who's an experienced diver?

Have a great summer everyone!

There really is no law about diving without a certification but its extremely unwise to not get the basics first. As far as Asthma id check with your doctor first because asthma attacks underwater can be extremely unforgiving too.

Its possible to dive with an asthma history but your doctor is the one who should say yes or no. this is one reason they have medical questionaires.

Besides the no brainer that the classes are extremely benieficial they also introduce you to many fellow divers

Now as for diving with a more experienced diver question...... there are those who are experienced and remember what it was like to be a new diver and are extremely attentive to the situation but all to often more veteran divers tend to see newer divers as a nuisance or they will talk up stories of how they have been around the world yet they cant say with honesty they would be able to handle a true life or death situation.

 

[k ellis]

I am pretty new myself (JUST got my Open Water Certification! Yay!) but I will jump in here and say that I don't suggest going without taking some classes. There is a lot to know about emergency situations, like being out of air, or emergency accents, that you can't really learn from a friend in a quick chat. Even if they do tell you all of the info, if you haven't practiced it in a controlled environment, you might not remember what to do when you are really in the situation.

As far as the asthma goes, please talk to your doctor! I don't know what to advise and I wouldn't advise online anyway. There are a lot of things to consider, like medication and aggravating factors, and your doctor can take all of that in to account.

Just my opinions. I am not a pro!

Hey you may not be a pro but your 100 percent correct in your statements scuba is one of the safest sports in existance when everything is correct however even a minor medical emergency 100 feet underwater can be as serious as a massive heartattack on land. Doctors are the only way to go when it comes to medical considerations.

Also not giving medical advice on a forum is a good decision as I have witnessed first hand so many people call doctors on the phone and attempt to get FREE medical advice over the phone. While it makes sense to want something for free ones life is not something they should try to skirt corners with

Besides most hospitals and doctors wont give advice any way but face to face due to liability reasons

 

[dpaustex]

As an instructor, and with a family full of divers, I'd say you'd have to be pretty hard-up not to take lessons. I just don't get someone not wanting to spend a mere $200 for good lessons/training. Is your life worth $200? In lessons, you get full instruction into how your body reacts to the physics of diving, you learn good skills, you learn to dive safely, and you learn to do it all correctly.

Most places will not rent you gear or tanks without a certification. It would be like giving you a car with no training, then you thinking you can safely drive on the interstate - instantly - with no lessons or training.

Can't really believe someone would risk their own life, and that of their buddy, by not taking lessons. Simply inconceiveable.

 

[bowlofpetunias]

Some asthmatics can dive safely but you will only know if that applies to you after adequate medical evaluation and advice. Not all doctors know about the risks associated with diving so I would suggest more than a chat with your own GP.

If you have a bronchiospasm or mucus blocks one of your air passages during a dive air can be trapped and expand within your lungs rupturing lung tissue. You need to have a thorough and honest evaluation to know if it is safe for you to dive.

I hope your asthma can be managed to dive safely. Please do not take any chances that may risk your life or mean that you destroy any chance that you will be able to dive

 

[Scubadam]

This is all true, thanks GDI!!

 

[denisem228]

I have been certifed for 15 years, but have not got to dive in Cozumel for a number of years. I am really sorta of scared now, a man died on an ascent, and then I have these stories about the current taking you out to sea..and I don't remember being scared at all the first 5 years we dove there..but I am kinda freaked out. I can not wait to to dive again in the ocean. I am diving with Scuba Mau and have heard they are really professional and take fewer divers, 5-6 instaed 10-14. I dive all over the area here, lakes, dive parks, etc. I want to dive safe, lots of fish, corel etc, I don't care about going 100', just a nice dive..I don't remember them calling them anything but dives, now the boards are talking about drift dives and wall dives,and I'm thinking, what are they talking about..help diving friends

 

[pir8]

I have been certifed for 15 years, but have not got to dive in Cozumel for a number of years. I am really sorta of scared now, a man died on an ascent, and then I have these stories about the current taking you out to sea..and I don't remember being scared at all the first 5 years we dove there..but I am kinda freaked out. I can not wait to to dive again in the ocean. I am diving with Scuba Mau and have heard they are really professional and take fewer divers, 5-6 instaed 10-14. I dive all over the area here, lakes, dive parks, etc. I want to dive safe, lots of fish, corel etc, I don't care about going 100', just a nice dive..I don't remember them calling them anything but dives, now the boards are talking about drift dives and wall dives,and I'm thinking, what are they talking about..help diving friends

If you're really freaked out about it, I would reccommend taking a Scuba Review with a Professional and talking with them about your concerns. The fact that you are concerned is a good sign. Of course I would think that if you are diving lakes consistantly then you should be fine. One man dying on an ascent only sounds like a small part of the story.

 

[DivemasterDennis]

Student divers should also always expect that you must do your reading and quiz taking before class sessions to get the most our of both classroom and pool sessions. Be Prepared! You are investing time and money to get a credential that says you can dive. Diving is very cool and fun, and not cheap. get you money's worth by reading your materials and being prepared for class. The you will ask important qquestions. Then you will be more comfortable and at ease.
DivemasterDennis

 

[feelingold]

While I can't comment on how other instructors do their classes I thought it important to illustrate to a new student what they should expect to see from a instructor who is out for their well being as students and as a customer.

First the need to feel comfortable. It is important that a new student feel comfortable with whom they are ready to take scuba lessons from. The instructor is preparing you for a fun activity in a world that is for the most part forgein to us. If you have a instructor that concentrates solely on the fun side of the sport then I say start looking again. A good instructor will talk about the fun stuff and will also be able to explain the risks related to scuba diving. Not in a negative way but in a way that will be understood illustrating the importance of taking lessons. Scuba diving is a sport that truely the more you know the more fun it is.

Second telling it like it is; Right up front the instructor should show a willingness to listen to your expectations and explain how the class will be conducted with this in mind. A instructor or a LDS that appears to be wanting to rush you along may not be interested in any thing other than handing out c-cards. A good instructor and LDS will explain to you the need for additional classes if required and any additional costs thus related should you approach the preset maximum training time frames. Believe it or not that is good for you and yes good for their business. They will discuss any equipment requirements you'll be expected to have for taking the classes. All I can say here is diving is not a cheap sport but it is a sport that if you do not have the right equipment you will not enjoy it as much as you could. Shop wisely and be prepared to drop down some cash.

Third, The paperwork!; Ah yes how we all hate this part. As boring as it may be it is to your best interest to make certain your instructor covers all the meanings of what these forms are indicating. The forms protect you and the instructor should something go wrong. An instructor that ensures all the forms are completed and signed is showing their attention to detail. If you are required to get a medical opinion from a doctor as to your suitablity to learn to scuba dive then take the time to visit the doctor. Some instructors and LDS shops will know of doctors who are also divers ask if you have any doubts because not all doctors understand the risks associated with scuba diving. Don't be afraid to ask the instructor to see a copy of their c-cards and log book and their proof of liability coverage and teaching status

Fourth, The Knowledge and Skills Don't assume that your instructor is the know all and end all of diving knowledge. A good instructor will learn right along with you. They will seek out answeres to your questions or find out who knows. Make certain the instructor takes the time to answer your questions. I do need to point out that you may need to be patient to others in the class if they don't grasp the concepts as easily as you may, every student is different and a good instructor will keep you challenged and entertained even while dealing with those who need a little bit more attention.
Watch the instructor in the pool and at the dive sites as well as in the classroom. Does the instructor walk the talk, and setting good example. Do be afraid to assess the instructor. A good instructor will be open to constructive critque just as you are. They want to improve how they do their classes and it is your feed back that helps. Besides it is by way of mouth that a good instructor gets new students.

In teaching my classes I use a simple technique in that I see what the student is Interested in, I do my best to reach them based on their Comprehension level, I Emphasize key points and movements. I seek out the students active Participation all in aspects of the class and most importantly I Acknowledge each student as an individual and provide them Confirmation as to how they are doing. I call this technique ICEPAC

Fifth, The Freebe Goodies; These are the extras that you may expect from your instructors and/or LDS. They may include membership into a dive club, DAN student insurance, a limited Subscription to a dive magazine. The list goes on and on. Ask what goodies your instructor may inlcude.

In short select your instructor and LDS with care, interview them and make certain you're comfortable with them and understabnd fully what to expect from them and they from you. Have fun, good luck and safe diving

I'm in my early fifties, in reasonable, but not top shape, and I quit after the first of four open water dives. I was just too tired. If your class is structured with two closed water dives in 8 mil wetsuits with lots of time standing around with equipment on, you may be gassed by the time you first enter the pool. After completing the drills, you get to shed the wetsuit and do your 200M swim and then tread water. If your open water dives are at a beach with a long equipment walk followed by working your way through surf and paddling out to a dive ring, you had better be in much better than average shape. Remember, you have to paddle and walk back with the equipment, rest a bit, and then do it again. I did resort diving in my 30's with no problem and thought I'd get the Padi Open Water before a vacation where I wanted to dive again. I passed the written and survived the pool, but the hike to and from the open water decent point was too much. In hindsight, I should have found a class that wasn't as time compressed and physically demanding. I didn't appreciate the demands. Mea culpa?

 

[Quero]

Why don't you ask for a referral, feelingood? That way you can credit your classroom and pool training towards your full certification by doing your open water dives at your vacation destination rather than at home. In many ways it's easier since you may have boat dives (no long walks carrying gear), and you won't have to lung around as much lead weight since your wetsuit will be thinner. Just ask your local dive shop/instructor to fill out the paperwork for the referral and present it to a cooperating dive shop at your destination.