Aerosynth
Contributor
- Messages
- 114
- Reaction score
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- # of dives
- 25 - 49
Hi everyone. New to diving here. I'll be obtaining my cert within the next month, in order to go on a Catalina dive with a friend. I have two questions... I am sure you've heard them before, but I hope you will still entertain me by helping with answers. If they sound moronic, I take full responsibility for that... just go easy on me, lol. I am a newbie to all of this.
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(1) PADI vs. NAUI
The dive shop in my area that offers the most affordable classes uses PADI instructors. They were my first choice until I started asking questions about the different certifying agencies. I was told that PADI certification is fine if I never intend to do anything more than just "leisure diving," but that I should seek NAUI certification if I think I might want to dive at a more skilled/professional level later down the line. How accurate is this? I don't know what my future plans are, but I would like to start out on the right foot with the right certification in case I do decide to seek additional certifications or take additional training later on.
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(2) GEAR
I plan to buy my own gear. I know that I will learn more about what I need when I start classes, but since I will probably be taking classes at a DIVE SHOP, I don't want to fall into a trap where they try and sell me a bunch of crap I don't need. I've tried to do a little research online but the price ranges I keep finding vary wildly, anywhere from $500 to $3000 for a basic setup. I know scuba is not a cheap hobby, but I would like to try and narrow down the gear expense a little better if I could. Any help, or a rough and quick list of the essentials... that would be awesome.
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I'm really excited about this. Scuba diving is something I've wanted to do for a long time, but am just now getting around to it. Would love to hear any tips, also... mistakes you made as a beginner, things to avoid, etc. Anyone that knows any cool dive sites in Southern California, also... I would love to hear about them.
Thanks a million.
Tim
~
(1) PADI vs. NAUI
The dive shop in my area that offers the most affordable classes uses PADI instructors. They were my first choice until I started asking questions about the different certifying agencies. I was told that PADI certification is fine if I never intend to do anything more than just "leisure diving," but that I should seek NAUI certification if I think I might want to dive at a more skilled/professional level later down the line. How accurate is this? I don't know what my future plans are, but I would like to start out on the right foot with the right certification in case I do decide to seek additional certifications or take additional training later on.
~
(2) GEAR
I plan to buy my own gear. I know that I will learn more about what I need when I start classes, but since I will probably be taking classes at a DIVE SHOP, I don't want to fall into a trap where they try and sell me a bunch of crap I don't need. I've tried to do a little research online but the price ranges I keep finding vary wildly, anywhere from $500 to $3000 for a basic setup. I know scuba is not a cheap hobby, but I would like to try and narrow down the gear expense a little better if I could. Any help, or a rough and quick list of the essentials... that would be awesome.
~
I'm really excited about this. Scuba diving is something I've wanted to do for a long time, but am just now getting around to it. Would love to hear any tips, also... mistakes you made as a beginner, things to avoid, etc. Anyone that knows any cool dive sites in Southern California, also... I would love to hear about them.
Thanks a million.
Tim