Am I good?

[Jakestg]

Hello,

My name is Jake and I live in Destin, Florida.

I am the age of 15 and I love the water. We have a boat and go out every weekend to party or just to snorkel and swim. I have been in the water since the age of 8 and love it to death. I am very comfortable in the water and wanting to dive.

I went to my local diveshop and found a good deal for 300 bucks a person in my family and that includes 60 days of free rental, 4 practice dives, pool training, and gear given to you for training.

I am about 6'3'' and 250lb's. I am a pretty big guy. I have no medical problem history in the past. I can swim perfectly fine in the water and stay afloat for a while.

Do you think that I am ok to scuba?

Thank You

 

[hypertech]

If you can swim and don't have any medical conditions that are of concern, You Bet You Are!

 

[NC Wreck Diver]

Sure............we all need a doctor's physical to get certified, but it sounds like you would love it. See how your family feels, and get with a good instructor. You'll all have a blast!

Good luck, and safe diving to you and your family.

 

[hypertech]

You don't need a doctor's physical to get certified. You only need that medical form filled out by a doc if you answer yes to any of the conditions. Otherwise, for open water diver, you are good to go. No doc required.

 

[Thalassamania]

You don't need a doctor's physical to get certified. You only need that medical form filled out by a doc if you answer yes to any of the conditions. Otherwise, for open water diver, you are good to go. No doc required.

While that may have been true for the course run by your instructor that is not always true. Some instructors and operations want a medical exam and a doctor's signature, even if the are not clear contraindications.

 

[bigken462]

Forgo the gear and grab the football! Unless of course you go diving after a good Saturday of playing ball. I have to say Roll Tide. But in all seriousness, get ya some good mentors and go dive and have fun. Enjoy life to the last drop!

 

[Jakestg]

What are the types of Diving.. EX. Open Water ETC.

and what is the best start kit for a guy like me? I just want some suggestions for later on down the road.

 

[TSandM]

Jake, Open Water is the first class that divers take. It's a very basic class, to introduce you to scuba gear and how it is used to spend time underwater. There are many additional classes one can take past that initial training, to add to your knowledge base and improve your skills. They range from classes focused on buoyancy control to fish identification and wreck diving.

You are very fortunate in your location, because you are not far from cave country, and cave divers are some of the most highly trained divers there are. It would be my very strong recommendation to contact Dive-aholic on this board, who is a dive instructor. If he can't run an open water class for you and your family, he will know someone very reputable who can. Getting a good foundation is the way to fall in love with the sport!

Don't even think about buying gear, until you have completed your class and know that diving is something you can and want to do. And even then, don't rush; check out all the local dive shops, rent some gear and go diving and see what other people are using, and peruse the equipment threads here. The world of dive equipment is a big one, and one size does not fit all; at your size, you may well want to buy a BC that's infinitely adjustable, otherwise known as a backplate and wing. If you get hold of Rob, he can show you what that is.

 

[pnw_diver]

Jake - I'm a big guy too (though a lot older than you) and although it presents some challenges, size alone isn't something that should keep you from diving. Being comfortable in water is a good indicator. As others have said, your instructor may require a physical, however that's often not needed unless you have a potentially contraindicating condition.

Someone young and enthusiastic, who loves the water is bound to love scuba.

 

[pnw_diver]

Don't even think about buying gear, until you have completed your class and know that diving is something you can and want to do. And even then, don't rush; check out all the local dive shops, rent some gear and go diving and see what other people are using, and peruse the equipment threads here. The world of dive equipment is a big one, and one size does not fit all; at your size, you may well want to buy a BC that's infinitely adjustable, otherwise known as a backplate and wing. If you get hold of Rob, he can show you what that is.

+1 on this.

I went out and bought all new gear right after being certified, and although it served me well for years, I wish I had waited and became more educated about what actually works best in my local diving conditions. Talk to lots of experienced divers and find out what works for them, and go from there.