I want to Dive!!

[DougRecovery]

Not sure if this is the right place for this post but i'll go ahead anyway.
Basically i have been a member of this site for about a year now and i visit it everyday over here in the uk because this is what i love!! I think its the thrill of adventure or the risks you guys take, even if its just research, the thrill of putting a piece of the puzzle together is awesome. now unfortunately i have only ever been able to do research (you may remember a post on the "Merchant Royall") unfortunately that was my first attempt at research and i was stonewalled by another researcher here in the uk who was working on the project for a salvage company. But hey what can you do. Now however i have got to the stage where i want to dive (i have been there for a while already) so im going to start learning now but i really dont know what to do from there can any of you fuys help in anyway?? advice, etc...

Thanks in advance.
Doug sunny old london.

 

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[wreckdiver1715]

First and foremost, welcome aboard TreasureNet!
First thing you need to do is get with a local, internationally recognized dive organization to get you basic open water certification. I found that my PADI card works all over the world, and is required to rent gear, hire a charter, and to get your tanks filled. http://www.padi.com/padi/en/kd/seeknewadventure.aspx
Once you have that C-Card in hand, keep diving to get comfortable and proficient, then start working on some advanced certifications, Advanced open water, NITROX, Search and Rescue, Dry Suit, and even Wreck Diving just to name a few. You will soon find yourself running with the dive crowd, and making new friends who share you passion.

Enjoy!


Tom

 

[ThTx]

I cannot agree more with Tom. Get certified, continue to enhance your skills. When I worked at a dive shop I was amazed at people who had been certified divers for 20 or 30 years and had a total of 60-75 dives in their log book. Then of course there there are people like me who get that many dives each year. And compared to some I really admire, I don't dive at all! There is an amazing world below the surface (both land and water). Certainly worth the effort.

 

[ScubaFinder]

Doug, you're getting good advice here, I would also go with PADI as the organization of choice. You never know where treasure hunting will take you in the world...so having an internationally recognized PADI C-card is preferrable.

Much like ThTx was eluding too, dive EVERY chance you get, continue to take classes and improve both your skillset and your comfort level in the water. When swinging a detector 120 feet down, you don't want to be concentrating on bouyancy or your dive gear, that should be second nature so you can concentrate on what the detector is telling you! I dive dirty Texas lakes all the time...good for getting you familiar with diving in low visibility (VERY common in treasure hunting). So many divers only want to go to crystal clear waters with no current and tons of colorful coral. While I highly recommend that type of diving, some of the most interesting experiences I've had diving were in low viz, hanging on for dear life in a strong current, or in 46 degree water, etc.

We call them "fair weather divers", they miss most of the good stuff...don't be one of those guys

See ya' on the bottom!

Jason

 

[M-60]

Good words here. Practice helps you get where you want to be. You will also make friends and net work while you enjoy your journey and they could also point you in the right direction. Honesty in your capabilities is essential. Don't tell people you can do what you can't. Diving is not the place.Document your dives. You made them safely, take credit for them and any thing else that could add to your credentials. Pictures are good. Boat side is good under water is better. I didn't document the first several years I dove and wish now I had. Diving course's are relatively cheap considered what you get out. Decompression dive certificate is a great place to start, than Nitrox, wreck etc. My dad used to say babies crawl and men walk. Good luck to you. I am fortunate that I may have an opportunity this summer to work a wreck here in Florida. I wish you well....M-60

 

[diverlynn]

Dougrecovery,
Experience is your best friend, even though certifications are good it does not mean much without experience in deep, dark and cold water. Make sure you don't rely on your divebuddy. I also recommend PADI and Nitrox certifications and a GOOD COMPUTER.
Diverlynn

 

[Voldbjerg]

Diverlynn: How do you define a good computer? Is that a conservative recreational computer or one that pushes the envelope?

Also im wondering if a PADI or any other recreational cert can be used to perform paid underwater work. In Denmark that would require a commercial diving certification.

V

 

[diverlynn]

V,
A computer is only as good as it's user. If you push the envelope you are looking for trouble. Some computers are more conservative than others. I use the Vitek made by Suunto, you can set it for altitude diving and it will be more conservative or on the normal settings for more accuracy and it will also allow the use of up to 3 mixes. I think you will see, in the near future, that computers will be taught in dive classes instead of tables.

If you plan deco diving, deep or cave, have the experience and knowledge and a good tech divebuddy before attempting, your life depends on it. Deco procedures can be complicated it your using more than one gas mix.
TDI certification is best (I think) for more extreme and cave diving procedures.

Depending on the underwater work you plan on doing, get the certification required. Commercial diving covers anything from underwater host such as escorting divers on recreational dives to or assisting instructors with classes, treasure diving to underwater welding. DiveMaster (not MasterDiver) certification usually gets you to become a great diver as long as you rack up as much diving as possible along the way. I have met instructors who have only been diving a year, an it shows. I am a PADI DiveMaster but also have a TDI cavern certification and SSI Nitrox cert.

Hope this helps
Diverlynn

 

[Voldbjerg]

Diverlynn: If I understand correct there are different algorithms for diving computers. The enclosed table show you the difference between the different tables. The depth are in in meters at the left collum. And this table dont even mention the deepstop models which would create further variation.

Can a PADI divemaster do paid inspection or salvage jobs in the US? In Denmark that would require a commercial dertification.

V

 

[Voldbjerg]

I forgot to get to my point

My point is that a computer is a computer that suit your purpose. For instance if you plan onlyt to dive in the 0-10m range then a simple divetimer would propably be as good as any other computer since the no-deco limit is so high thats its almost unreachable. On the other hand if your diving CCR you will proably like a VR3 computer.

My advice is talk to the those youre gonna dive with and find out what theyre using, its not fun to be the only one that needs deco

BTW: I also strap a suunto, nice and conservative.

V

 

[DougRecovery]

Thanks very much for your help with this. im looking at courses at my local dive school. i'll let you know how the first one goes.

 

[Bassfish]

Took my first class last Thursday and every Thursday for 6 more weeks. Open Water Cert dive in June (Too cold in NY now)

An exciting new journey.

 

[Darren in NC]

Way to go, Bassfish! Now you'll be able to spearfish...but not bass

 

[Bassfish]

Had my second class last night, first class in the water. All I can say is WOW!! I'm hooked (pun intended).

The half hour we spent on the bottom was the quickest half hour of my life to date!