oceancat
Contributor
I am questing for a new dive shop in the RTP area. I have been to two and one I definitely am not happy with--is it standard practice here to envelope tanks in PADI Nitrox stickers before getting them filled? I have gotten tanks filled with nitrox in New England for years without having to have a PADI nitrox sticker put on the tanks and the other shop I went to here in NC did not make me do that (and they are also a PADI shop). The shop I went to today refused to fill my tanks unless I paid for this stupidly large PADI nitrox sticker that they slapped on my tanks and they said all the shops in this area require it--which I know is not true since I had my tanks filled and they didn't put on the sticker at the other place....anyway, I won't use them again. Unfortunately, I desperately needed nitrox since I went diving yesterday and am going again on Tues. and they were the only ones who could get me gas before my dives--they shop I had been using was closed today. SO-what shops do you long time locals recommend? The first shop I tried was ok, but don't know what the favored shops in the area are. I am in Chapel Hill but will travel anywhere in the RTP area for a good shop--preferably one with an active dive club, as I would like to go diving with people I know. Thanks.
I will say, I was absolutely AMAZED at the diving down here--went out with Olympus Sat. and at first the boat broke, but they fixed it after a 2 hr delay and we were off (I have had my 4 dives prior to this one blown out-so am very happy they got the boat fixed). I am a convert already! Wow! Had very nice dives on the Spar and Indra--so many fish the the water--a good number of sharks on the Spar. Viz was better than what I am used to--30' on the Spar and about 15' on the Indra. The baracuda here are large-yikes!
I will say, I was absolutely AMAZED at the diving down here--went out with Olympus Sat. and at first the boat broke, but they fixed it after a 2 hr delay and we were off (I have had my 4 dives prior to this one blown out-so am very happy they got the boat fixed). I am a convert already! Wow! Had very nice dives on the Spar and Indra--so many fish the the water--a good number of sharks on the Spar. Viz was better than what I am used to--30' on the Spar and about 15' on the Indra. The baracuda here are large-yikes!