The best dive computer (or computers) will never replace the gray matter between the ears. First action in any emergency is THINK!. Glad there was no panic and bolt. You didn't indicate if this was dive one of the day (sounded like it) but presumably not dive 4-6. That said, there is no way she...
Keep it simple, go to Catalina. Some of the best and easy entry diving right on the Casino Point and two dedicated dive boats ready to go for more variety. Besides, its a world apart from California the way most think of. Lots of other land based stuff also. No need for car rental.
Floats with surface lines can be a problem on Catalina. West side not much kelp, east side the kelp is returning. Used to be all over and hopefully it will come back. That said, I know of no way to navigate kelp field dragging a float line. If the surface conditions were as you described, a...
Being onsite and involved, I was told it was their first open water dive and from my patient, her last. You are correct, there is no standard on where the OW class dives must take place. Just consistent with safe conditions the student may experience as a certified diver. I am not passing...
As a PADI Instructor, there is no requirement to start from shore dives. I've used Catalina mostly for OW. I know other instructors use the boats (Spectre included) for OW. It's the instructor's call. I have cancelled classes even on Catalina due to surface conditions. The focus is expected to...
I am an S&R diver also and have recovered one and assisted in others. As a S&R diver, you are providing a service to help the family with their overcoming the grief of the loss of a loved one. It can be creepy as most dives are zero vis but you are helping someone in ways 99% of the population...
I did my aow right after ow. Even though I'm comfortable in the water I wanted 5 more closely supervised dives before venturing out on my own. Now as an instructor, I still feel the same way. While some are naturals, others need closer supervision at the start. It's all about safety. Your new...
I have one and use it as my backup. Seems to work great except that it has a very limited charge life. Big problem for me as a search and rescue diver, I am required to keep my gear in the car for a callout. By factory specs, it is permitted to loose 3-5% battery power while in the box or not in...
Night Dive not a PADI Advance requirement but included as one of the AOW dives by may instructors including myself. There can be issues different from OW. Partially based on the 'I can do anything I want' mentality only to find out, its not the same as OW too late. I had one student surface in...
Ditto. I have one for sale also. Seems like a nice machine but the battery consumption while not in use greatly limits my ability to carry as I am a volunteer search and rescue diver for the local sheriff's dept. I need a computer to be ready whenever I am needed and since I keep my equipment in...
PADI's new standards are the dive partners are to be no more than 2 arms lengths away from each other. Handholding for OW students achieves this very well while reinforcing the stay close issues. As for wimpy OW dive students, I agree. This, however is NOT a navy SEAL team or Army Ranger...
Your OW class will require mask off and reg recovery skills using a standard mask/reg setup. Full Face Masks are not use in recreational dive training. I use one for search and rescue but for my classes and students, its the good old regular mask and reg. and yes full face masks are expensive...
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