#61101 - 03/16/07 12:57 PM
First timers need advice...
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Travcarib
Member
Registered: 03/13/07
Posts: 119
Loc: Washington DC
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We have been to Bora Bora and Moorea before and just did snorkeling but we are heading back this year to Bora Bora and Taha'a and are entertaining the idea of diving this year. We both really want to do this but are nervous and know nothing about diving yet. What are some of the risks for beginnner divers? What if you get nervous down there and feel the need to come up quick? (even if it is only 25-30ft) I have problems clearing my ears on planes etc, will that pose problems for diving?
We are both fairly comfortable snorkeling. I can't say we like to be out for long periods of time, most likely because we have to spend so much time clearing our masks etc. I am hoping to buy some good ones before we go this time. I love seeing all the life under the sea but feel a little scared about the whole process of scuba.
Any advice???
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#61109 - 03/16/07 03:27 PM
Re: First timers need advice...
[Re: Travcarib]
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Old Wife
Expert Advisor
Registered: 02/21/03
Posts: 2369
Loc: Burlington, Ontario, Canada
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Personally, I would take lessons back home first (and maybe even get certified). You'll be far more comfortable in FP & really able to enjoy the dives & what you see. I took scuba lessons years ago and discovered it wasn't for me and I'm glad I figured that out in a pool and not in the deeps.
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#61142 - 03/17/07 12:05 PM
Re: First timers need advice...
[Re: Old Wife]
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Carol S
Member
Registered: 02/03/04
Posts: 458
Loc: La Cañada, CA USA
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I agree, take your classes and certification near your home. I have known many people who go through the classes and when they get in the water, it's too claustrophobic or just too scary. There's a lot to be thinking about when you are diving and some just want to cruise along snorkeling on the top. There are some things you can't see when you are snorkeling, but you can still have a great experience. There are also "introduction dives" that are available at some resorts..you are taken out, given some instruction and then go for a very shallow dive. This is best if it is one on own instruction and your instructor speaks good English. This is how we got started when we took an intro dive on Rangiroa and then came home and got certified. My husband and I have loved doing this in many different places for about 15 years. We are both retired and I am often the oldest woman on the dive--sometimes that makes for great attention, sometimes, particularly with a French divemaster, they couldn't care less.
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#61183 - 03/18/07 11:46 AM
Re: First timers need advice...
[Re: Carol S]
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Henry Newman
Junior Member
Registered: 09/18/06
Posts: 6
Loc: Minneapolis, MN
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I am an experienced diver and strongly recommend if at all possible getting certifed before your trip. You do not want to waste time on the trip learning to dive or even doing certification drills. Get certified before leaving and be sure to review your class work just before you head out for your first dive.
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#61186 - 03/18/07 01:52 PM
Re: First timers need advice...
[Re: Henry Newman]
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Travcarib
Member
Registered: 03/13/07
Posts: 119
Loc: Washington DC
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Thanks so much to everyone for your feedback. We plan on taking the class here and were thinking of doing our dives in FP. Do they usually still have you do the "pool" dives in the US and then the open water can be done anywhere? I do want to be somewhat familiar with what I am doing before we go...
Also when booking is there anything particular we need to tell the tour operators?
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#61192 - 03/18/07 03:09 PM
Re: First timers need advice...
[Re: Travcarib]
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Henry Newman
Junior Member
Registered: 09/18/06
Posts: 6
Loc: Minneapolis, MN
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Yes you can do the open water anywhere it is usually 2-3 dives, but most of the time is spent giving not doing skills. You must get a referal from you dive shop and the place you are diving must support that referal. So for example if you take classes at a PADI shop you need to dive at a shop in Tahiti. I actually did my certification dive 25 years ago last week from a dive shop in Wisc. Ave in DC out in a quarry in VA. It was March it was cold, it was snowing and it was NO FUN.
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#61219 - 03/19/07 07:29 AM
Re: First timers need advice...
[Re: Henry Newman]
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sst
Member
Registered: 12/07/05
Posts: 483
Loc: Texas
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Henry is right - you can get a referral, wfter you do your pool and classwork at home, but then you hafta do your checkout dives in FP. I imagine th expense of the checkout dives in FP would be very high - I did mine in Mexico in '91 and they wer $275.. Plus you spend your first 2-4 dives doing skills etc and not enjoying the dives..
I have seen divers get certified and then not be able to get in the water on their first ocean dive - just too nervous or claustorphobic I guess. I have also seen many people do the resort dives (crash course in scuba) but that will depend upon whether you want to spend 4 hours or so learning the basics on your vacation..
In my opinion, if I were you and you really want to learn to dive, most, if not all dive operators offer a free "discover scuba" class in which they allow people to strap on all the gear and hang out at the bottom of a pool for free.. They know by doing this that if you are at all interested, you will be hooked and then take the class. If it freaks you out, then you've saved yourself a lot of money and time.. I think you will enjoy it tho..
Regarding your ears, if you take the full certification course, they will teach you various methods to equilize the pressure within your ears. Most people hold their nose and blow - if at any point your ears do not "pop" you would need to come up a few feet in depth and try again. If on land, your ears do not pop, you may need to try a decongestant or you may have a buildup of wax or some other physical issue that would need to be checked by a doctor before you dive.. Keep in mind that, yes, you have to equilze as you go down, but your ears also pretty much equilze as you come up from a dive as well. If you have an ear issue that is making it difficult to equilize, you need to resolve that before you learn to dive.. Meaning - you may be fortunate enough to equilze when going down, but if your ears clog and you cannot equilize coming back up... well, then you'd have a bit of a problem! So my advice is to get that checked or at least be fully confident that you can equilize your ears at any time.. Definitley try the "hold your nose and blow" to see if your ears pop easily - if not, don't blow too hard - don't wanna blow out an ear drum or anything..
Good luck with that and let us know how that all goes and if you have any other questions..
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#62339 - 04/15/07 01:38 PM
Re: First timers need advice...
[Re: Travcarib]
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amyb3517
Junior Member
Registered: 04/14/07
Posts: 26
Loc: Rochester, NY
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Sounds like you've already gotten a lot of good advice... so I will only add two things:
1. went with a couple who HADN'T done their check off dives for their certification, and she couldn't do it!! Tried three days and couldn't complete it.. to the tune of around $500. She lost a lot of valuable time trying to do all the skills, and her stress level went through the roof!! Not my kind of vacation. Water in NY is COLD!! (LAKE ERIE NEVER WARMS UP) but you will be much more comfortable when you get there. Remember that your comfort level increases with the number of bubbles you blow.
2. for my check off dives, I was a little bit stuffed up, and attributed my "clogged" ears that evening to my stuffiness. Not so... ruptured BOTH ear drums, and (as the Doc put it) the clogged, hollow sound was the blood in my ear canal.... 35-45 feet (or there abouts) is the hardest to equalize.. after that first atmosphere, it's easy... just don't get hung up on it or stress about it. Take your time and only do what you feel comfortable with. The dive masters (in resort locations) are usually wonderful, and will go as slow as you need.
Good Luck!!
Amy
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