Officially a certified diver as of the weekend...Sub along for the ride!

[tifosi]

After years of wanting to do it, I finally did it and got my diver's certification over the weekend. So glad I finally did it! It was a ton of fun! Had to bring the Sub along since it will be tagging along on all my future dives. The open water portion was at a quarry not too far from my house. I knew it would be cold water, and it was (47deg.F at 50ft.). Had on a 7mm wetsuit and gloves so I decided to throw the Sub-C on a NATO so I wouldn't have any fitment problems. I don't have any underwater pics, but one of the divemasters was taking pics on land. I'm hoping to get my hands on some soon. For now I just have a pic of my Sub-C on the NATO before I left. The NATO really worked out well, but for warmer water and thinner wetsuits I'll keep it on the bracelet. I hope to have some more pics soon.

[Sean.c]

more pics!!!!!

[bmac11c]

That's awesome! The first time I went diving was in Cabo this past December. I just don't have too much free time right now to go for my certification. Do you have any underwater pics?

[tifosi]

Originally Posted by bmac11c

That's awesome! The first time I went diving was in Cabo this past December. I just don't have too much free time right now to go for my certification. Do you have any underwater pics?

Nobody was taking underwater pics that weekend. The instructor that normally does take underwater pics was instructing. I'm hoping to get some next time I go.

[MonBK]

Congrats

[Bangel]

Congratulations! May your sub serve you well in your future underwater adventures.

[TSW]

Congratulations

[QueueCumber]

Originally Posted by tifosi

After years of wanting to do it, I finally did it and got my diver's certification over the weekend. So glad I finally did it! It was a ton of fun! Had to bring the Sub along since it will be tagging along on all my future dives. The open water portion was at a quarry not too far from my house. I knew it would be cold water, and it was (47deg.F at 50ft.). Had on a 7mm wetsuit and gloves so I decided to throw the Sub-C on a NATO so I wouldn't have any fitment problems. I don't have any underwater pics, but one of the divemasters was taking pics on land. I'm hoping to get my hands on some soon. For now I just have a pic of my Sub-C on the NATO before I left. The NATO really worked out well, but for warmer water and thinner wetsuits I'll keep it on the bracelet. I hope to have some more pics soon.

What's the most important rule in diving?!

[tifosi]

Originally Posted by QueueCumber

What's the most important rule in diving?!

Never hold your breath!!!!

[QueueCumber]

Originally Posted by tifosi

Never hold your breath!!!!

Indeed.

[tifosi]

Originally Posted by QueueCumber

Indeed.

Shheeewwww!!! I passed!

[QueueCumber]

Originally Posted by tifosi

Shheeewwww!!! I passed!

You can screw up on a lot of things, but air embolisms are a killer, and the bends are too!

[raiderceb]

Originally Posted by QueueCumber

What's the most important rule in diving?!

actually...the number one rule in diving is...YOU GOTTA LOOK GOOD!!! lol

That's what the sub is for!

In all seriousness, I've been certified since 1997, but grew up on every family vacation going on dive trips with my folks, just didn't actually get certified til I was in college. It is a sport I love and still enjoy with my folks.

Your plan to dive the quarry some and get experience is a great way to go, then furthering your dive education. An experienced and well trained diver makes a safer diver! Don't get caught up in thinking you have to go to the Bahama's or some super tropical destination to dive, anytime you can get wet and breath air underwater is great and provides more experience and comfort level in the water. Seek out more quarry's or if you get to Florida, check out some of the springs and rivers in Florida. Excellent visibility and still a lot of fun!

ETA: To echo what a couple other guys have said, when you can, work on getting your own gear. It makes a huge difference in comfort level mentally and literally since it is your stuff, but mainly because you know how well it has been maintained and are familiar with it and know where all the extras are (which pocket such and such is in). There are a lot of great companies out there, some will tell you a back plate/wing, others say a BC is good. Personally, I still dive a BC just because I like it and it is weight integrated vs. wearing a weight belt. Just all about personal preference, but do try some stuff out and build your gear inventory a little at a time. As you gain experience, you may find your needs or wants change regarding a certain type of gear or piece of gear.

[mjclark32]

Congrats!

[kilyung]

Congrats! Keep studying, wreck and night certs are cool. Soon enough you'll be a master diver.

[tifosi]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Congrats! Keep studying, wreck and night certs are cool. Soon enough you'll be a master diver.

Thanks. That is my goal!!

[Cru Jones]

having done my first dive recently, all i can say is, HUGE congrats. good fun. and sweet pic, too. thanks.

[tifosi]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

having done my first dive recently, all i can say is, HUGE congrats. good fun. and sweet pic, too. thanks.

Congrats to you as well! Thanks.

[beaglehusky]

Congratulations!!! I'd say the Mayan Riviera would be a good spot for your first few dives.

As far as gear goes, for the longest time all I owned was mask and snorkel but now that I'm moving near the water I've bought a BCD, a wet suit, and some other knick knacks. There are some super cool and (apparently) very practical travel BCDs that now I wish I would have looked at more carefully.

Enjoy the experience!!

[tifosi]

Originally Posted by beaglehusky

Congratulations!!! I'd say the Mayan Riviera would be a good spot for your first few dives.

As far as gear goes, for the longest time all I owned was mask and snorkel but now that I'm moving near the water I've bought a BCD, a wet suit, and some other knick knacks. There are some super cool and (apparently) very practical travel BCDs that now I wish I would have looked at more carefully.

Enjoy the experience!!

I would like to get a BCD. During my certification I ended up using two different BCDs. One was OK, but the other just did not fit me well. When you are renting it is hard to be too picky. I would like my own BCD so it fits the same every time. Not sure about a wetsuit yet. I will have more oppurtunity to dive cold water than I will warm. I may want to dive dry in my local quarry. I might buy a cold/dry gear setup eventually.

[psv]

Big congrats!

[QueueCumber]

I just rent everything... I don't want to carry all that stuff around.

My wife, brother-in-law, oldest daughter, and myself are all PADI certified. My younger kids aren't old enough yet, but they will be certified as soon as it is possible. My younger kids do the entry level PADI pool stuff, so they can get comfortable with the gear. Fun stuff......

I was thinking of doing the Advanced Certification this summer; I want to do the wreck diver and emergency first response provider courses.

My older daughter was diving with dolphins last fall!

[tifosi]

Originally Posted by QueueCumber

I just rent everything... I don't want to carry all that stuff around.

My wife, brother-in-law, oldest daughter, and myself are all PADI certified. My younger kids aren't old enough yet, but they will be certified as soon as it is possible. My younger kids do the entry level PADI pool stuff, so they can get comfortable with the gear. Fun stuff......

I was thinking of doing the Advanced Certification this summer, I want to do the wreck diver and emergency first response provider courses.

My older daughter was diving with dolphins last fall!

I want to get a couple dives under my belt then I'll be going for the advanced course as well. I would like to do those same courses. I want to be at divemaster in a couple years.

[Zed Homme]

Congrats on the certificate and welcome to a great new hobby!

[azguy]

Congratulations, now you need to plan a trip to Bealize

[Ebruner]

Congrats!! You will be salty before you know it if you just get out there and dive.

IMHO Buy all you're own gear. My wife and I make ~120 dives a year, and I would never trust my life to some wornout rental gear in some far flung corner of the world.

As far as specialty certs, some are useful, most are just a piece of plastic. Most important is to get out there and DIVE, DIVE, DIVE.

Enjoy!!!!

-Eddie

[Zed Homme]

Originally Posted by Ebruner

Congrats!! You will be salty before you know it if you just get out there and dive.

IMHO Buy all you're own gear. My wife and I make ~120 dives a year, and I would never trust my life to some wornout rental gear in some far flung corner of the world.

As far as specialty certs, some are useful, most are just a piece of plastic. Most important is to get out there and DIVE, DIVE, DIVE.

Enjoy!!!!

-Eddie

Agreed, after I got the joy of practicing what to do when a high pressure line burst valve fails in 80 feet of water, I got all my own gear and have it tested annually.

[sea-dweller]

Congrats!

[poppydog]

Congratulations - most relaxing hobby I've ever had, although I rarely get to dive in warm, clear waters.

[gwalker]

Congrats. I see you are in NJ so shoot me a PM if you want to dive any. I dive about 100x a year. Mostly tec diving now but I do some rec every now and then. The NJ coast is the best wreck diving in the world IMHO. I've taken both my SubC and DSSD down 2-3x each but honestly don't like diving with them unless I'm on vacation in the Caribbean.

Most guys I dive with have ditched the BC for a backplate/wings setup. It was mostly used for tec diving but many rec divers have switched to the setup. Much more customization for the individual. I would suggest trying drysuits. I have 2 and diving dry in NJ is the only way. I have a DUI CF450 and a Dive rite 905. Both are great. I would suggest a demo day to try all gear. Most dive shops just push what they sell. You should explore what you like best. In cold water I like my ScubaPro MK17/S600 and my Apeks regs. Would also highly recommend a dive computer. It will really extend your time diving.