Scuba diving question
Discussion
Going away for 2 weeks to the Dominican Republic soon 
and want to do some scuba diving.
Seen mention of doing a PADI course, is this a requirement before you're allowed to scuba dive? Is it typically done at the resort or is it something easily done in the UK before I go? Will they let me loose with my own devices when I go off diving, or do you have to stay with an instructor?
and want to do some scuba diving. Seen mention of doing a PADI course, is this a requirement before you're allowed to scuba dive? Is it typically done at the resort or is it something easily done in the UK before I go? Will they let me loose with my own devices when I go off diving, or do you have to stay with an instructor?
You'll be able to go diving without a qualification. As I recall there are dive shops in Cabarete and Sosua that are quite good. You will have to stick with an instructor - even as an experienced diver you'd be foolish to dive in unfamiliar waters without at least a divemaster to show you the area.
You can do a PADI OW course in a few days - recommended!
You can do a PADI OW course in a few days - recommended!
cannot comment on PADI in general ( usually they are "pay as you go" diving ).
do a short course in resort .. 3 - 4 hours of theory / pool lessons, then some open water lessons.
You should NEVER dive on your own. Always go with someone as qualified or more qualified than yourself.
Just remember also that your life depends upon doing things correctly.
Remember to check and double check you know what to do in an emergency, remember once again SAFETY.
I started diving just over 12 months ago. Im BSAC qualified, and have over 40 dives under my belt (Just got back from Diving this afternoon (4degrees at 25meters!)) in Very Low visibility UK waters, and 8 dives in tropical waters.
do a short course in resort .. 3 - 4 hours of theory / pool lessons, then some open water lessons.
You should NEVER dive on your own. Always go with someone as qualified or more qualified than yourself.
Just remember also that your life depends upon doing things correctly.
Remember to check and double check you know what to do in an emergency, remember once again SAFETY.
I started diving just over 12 months ago. Im BSAC qualified, and have over 40 dives under my belt (Just got back from Diving this afternoon (4degrees at 25meters!)) in Very Low visibility UK waters, and 8 dives in tropical waters.
I did my PADI openwater on an Island off Cairns on the great barrier reef in Oz, was a great course and a lot of fun. Sure the theory can be a little boring but it's really necessary when you realise what a serious and dangerous passtime diving is.
Also gives you the ability to be able to dive anywhere (except altitude or wreck diving I believe) and only to a certain depth with just a partner. However to second what justayellowbadge said, diving in an unknown area without a divemaster or equivalent is really not recommended as there's no telling whats down there without an experienced guide with extensive knowledge of the underwater landscape to help you.
Diving is well worth all the trouble though, some truely incredible stuff to see down there!
Andy
Also gives you the ability to be able to dive anywhere (except altitude or wreck diving I believe) and only to a certain depth with just a partner. However to second what justayellowbadge said, diving in an unknown area without a divemaster or equivalent is really not recommended as there's no telling whats down there without an experienced guide with extensive knowledge of the underwater landscape to help you.
Diving is well worth all the trouble though, some truely incredible stuff to see down there!
Andy
I started diving when I was 10 (snorkeling only) and passed my 3rd class with BSAC at 14. Now 34 and the divings been on and off since my 20's. As far as PADI is concerned I've never gone through the course but I have always been of the same opinion - it took me 6 months of lectures, pool training (every week), three open water tests and an exam before I was qualified to dive. All in about 1 year (I started training at 13 at a non BSAC club).
3 - 5 days PADI. Worthless.
There is no way on god's earth that is enough to teach you how to dive or what to do in an emergency. I know BSAC has changed recently to accomodate those who want to train quicker but its still around 3 months for sports diver.
Don't underestimate how dangerous diving can be. Personnally, I truely deplore this holiday diving malarky. You wouldn't go base jumping after 3 days training would you?
3 - 5 days PADI. Worthless.
There is no way on god's earth that is enough to teach you how to dive or what to do in an emergency. I know BSAC has changed recently to accomodate those who want to train quicker but its still around 3 months for sports diver.
Don't underestimate how dangerous diving can be. Personnally, I truely deplore this holiday diving malarky. You wouldn't go base jumping after 3 days training would you?
PADIs alright for what it is and how deep they take you on the course. Main problem with that approach to diving is that you then come back a few years later having forgotten it all. At least thats my prob. I've got Advanced Open Water cert, but not the skill anymore.
Isn't BSAC all beardy and dry suit work?
fatbutt said:
3 - 5 days PADI. Worthless.
You wouldn't go base jumping after 3 days training would you?
No but you would parachute jumping!
This BSAC is best crap really irritates me
So you like to dive in cold shiity quarries where you cant see jack all
I like tropical waters and for what PADI allows is great
I like being quidede in shall waters and for what PADIs allowed me to see in Bermuda and Cyprus Im grateful
So PADI it is with its limitations - take it easy - dive sensibly and be guided by the dive master
ENJOY
You will stay with an instructor, which is the wise thing.
You cannot learn to dive competently over the weekend.
PADI courses these days can have you up to sports diver level over the weekend, which took me a year to aquire with BSAC.
Most of the interesting stuff like the coral though will be pretty shallow at about 10 metres so shouldn't be too much of a problem. The visibility will also be a lot better than England negating claustrophobia.
Grouch.
>> Edited by groucho on Sunday 16th January 09:32
You cannot learn to dive competently over the weekend.
PADI courses these days can have you up to sports diver level over the weekend, which took me a year to aquire with BSAC.
Most of the interesting stuff like the coral though will be pretty shallow at about 10 metres so shouldn't be too much of a problem. The visibility will also be a lot better than England negating claustrophobia.
Grouch.
>> Edited by groucho on Sunday 16th January 09:32
RobDickinson said:
PADI is a 3-5 day course usualy dealing with theory, pool training and a couple of open water dives, can do the first part in the Uk and the open water stuff on holiday.
Dunno a whole lot esle, theres a few avid divers on ehre.
I have PADI Divemaster and BSAC Advanced and over 600 dives. The PADI system of diver education uses the best teaching systems in the world. BSAC is a brilliant club system for enthusiasts of UK diving. They are different things.
With PADI you can do a referral. This means you do all your theory and poolwork here in the UK before you go on holiday. Take your time and make sure you have mastered all the skills. Then when you get to resort you take a referral form with you and just have to do the open water dives. This method means you don't waste your holiday in the classroom and you don't have to dive in cold UK waters. This is what I advise people at work and they have been happy with the result.
I would recommend doing the PADI Advanced as soon as possible after the Open Water. It is not really advanced but does give you different sorts of dives with an instructor, moving you up the learning curve. You should then get to do the better dives on resort.
Not all PADI schools and instructors are the same, there is a hierarchy in both. Also there is a big difference in class size. Most of my training was in a class of one which obviously helps.
I did my PADI open water in Thailand, and it was one of the best things I've ever done.
Our instucter was a fully qualified chap who'd done the whole BSAC/PADI thing, and regularly dove in british waters searching for wreaks and big black holes!
Felt totally safe, at no point were myself or my mate left unsupervised, the theory part of the course is essential and gives you a good understanding about it.
First couple of days I don't think you go lower than 12m. Last couple is 18m.
We went to a smaller dive school and got the instucter to ourselves, looks a little hectic in some of the larger schools though.
Totally recommeded, you'll have a great laugh.
Watch out for those trigger fish tho!!
Our instucter was a fully qualified chap who'd done the whole BSAC/PADI thing, and regularly dove in british waters searching for wreaks and big black holes!
Felt totally safe, at no point were myself or my mate left unsupervised, the theory part of the course is essential and gives you a good understanding about it.
First couple of days I don't think you go lower than 12m. Last couple is 18m.
We went to a smaller dive school and got the instucter to ourselves, looks a little hectic in some of the larger schools though.
Totally recommeded, you'll have a great laugh.
Watch out for those trigger fish tho!!
if you are staying on the north coast there is a lot of padi schools at reasonable prices- sosua is a good place to start nice beach too, the south coast is less developed has less competition and is more expensive if you want to do anything,
we have been twice to the north coast and would definitely go again but i would not go back to the south coast if it was free!
we have just booked 2 weeks in sharm with explorers staying at the hyatt regency, really good price too
we have been twice to the north coast and would definitely go again but i would not go back to the south coast if it was free!
we have just booked 2 weeks in sharm with explorers staying at the hyatt regency, really good price too
jvaughan said:
Aye. Dry divers the lot of us!
I would actually like to go back to wet suits for the freedom of it but its bloody cold...
I have both a Dry Suit and a Semi-Dry. Im still diving in UK waters in the semi dry. its not that bad.
Not diving but I bodyboard in the North Sea in a wetsuit and have been known to spend up to a day in there without dying of hypothermia. I have been out this month and the only changes I have made since the summer is to wear a rash vest underneath for a bit of extra warmth.
John
I am involved in the diving industry in a round about way (I sell diving holidays).
Here is my unbiased opinion.
Firstly, ignore totally what Fatbutt says, he is talking through his eponymous self. Diving is not a dangerous sport if you stick to the rules and understand clearly your own limitations. More people die each year being stung by wasps than from diving.
Secondly, you have to ask yourself this question: Are you ever going to dive in this country (or similar)?
If not, then you do NOT need to do a BSAC course. Of course you would not be capable of diving in this country if you have done 10 or so dives in a tropical location where the visibility is always better, the water warmer, generally the sea conditions (currents, surge etc) are less, and you will be unfamiliar with a lot of the equipment (dry suits, direct feeds etc). If you plan to be a "recreational" diver then there is nothing wrong with the PADI course at all.
Generally it will take you 3 or 4 days to do the PADI O/W Course, and it is split into 4 main components. Classroom work, where you learn diving theory, some safety issues etc; pool work where you will go over some of the skills discussed in the classroom; a multiple choice exam ; 4 openwater dives where again you will go over the skills learnt in the poool and have a pootle around a shallow coral reef with your instructor. Pass the exam and the openwater skills and you are a qualified openwater diver. You are then entitled to dive without an instructor (but always with a buddy), though most dive boats will be more than happy to provide a qualified guide (divemaster, assistant instructor or instructor) to assist you.
Bruce is right in that you want to do the Advanced course as soon as possible after the O/W course. The Advanced course will allow you to maximise your time under the water much quicker than if you just get dives under your belt/in your log book.
My advice before you do any of this is to do a resort course. This is where you go out before you have any formal training with an instructor; a little bit of theory (the major dos and don'ts of diving), a quick dip in a pool and then a shallow easy dive in the sea. This way you can see if you like diving, before you commit major money to doing a course. Some dive shops would give you a small discount off the O/W course if you do a resort course first and then commit to the O/W course.
There are some medical limitations for divers, the most notable being such things as:
1. Are you a diabetic
2. Are you asthmatic
3. Have you had open heart surgery
4. have you got a collapsed lung
5. Are you epileptic
6. A few others I won't bore you with!
99/100 any of the above will preclude you from diving.
You will be asked to fill in a self assessment medical form before doing anything. Lie on the form and the onus is very much on you if you have an accident. ("Yes, Your Honour, I AM an epileptic, but I SO wanted to go diving" ain't gonna wash!)
Remember, don't jump in the water thinking you are the next Jacques Cousteau. Take your time, take it easy, know your limitations and above all, do what you are told!
That way you will enjoy diving for many years.
If you want some more advice, PM me.
Cheers
Jim
I am involved in the diving industry in a round about way (I sell diving holidays).
Here is my unbiased opinion.
Firstly, ignore totally what Fatbutt says, he is talking through his eponymous self. Diving is not a dangerous sport if you stick to the rules and understand clearly your own limitations. More people die each year being stung by wasps than from diving.
Secondly, you have to ask yourself this question: Are you ever going to dive in this country (or similar)?
If not, then you do NOT need to do a BSAC course. Of course you would not be capable of diving in this country if you have done 10 or so dives in a tropical location where the visibility is always better, the water warmer, generally the sea conditions (currents, surge etc) are less, and you will be unfamiliar with a lot of the equipment (dry suits, direct feeds etc). If you plan to be a "recreational" diver then there is nothing wrong with the PADI course at all.
Generally it will take you 3 or 4 days to do the PADI O/W Course, and it is split into 4 main components. Classroom work, where you learn diving theory, some safety issues etc; pool work where you will go over some of the skills discussed in the classroom; a multiple choice exam ; 4 openwater dives where again you will go over the skills learnt in the poool and have a pootle around a shallow coral reef with your instructor. Pass the exam and the openwater skills and you are a qualified openwater diver. You are then entitled to dive without an instructor (but always with a buddy), though most dive boats will be more than happy to provide a qualified guide (divemaster, assistant instructor or instructor) to assist you.
Bruce is right in that you want to do the Advanced course as soon as possible after the O/W course. The Advanced course will allow you to maximise your time under the water much quicker than if you just get dives under your belt/in your log book.
My advice before you do any of this is to do a resort course. This is where you go out before you have any formal training with an instructor; a little bit of theory (the major dos and don'ts of diving), a quick dip in a pool and then a shallow easy dive in the sea. This way you can see if you like diving, before you commit major money to doing a course. Some dive shops would give you a small discount off the O/W course if you do a resort course first and then commit to the O/W course.
There are some medical limitations for divers, the most notable being such things as:
1. Are you a diabetic
2. Are you asthmatic
3. Have you had open heart surgery
4. have you got a collapsed lung
5. Are you epileptic
6. A few others I won't bore you with!
99/100 any of the above will preclude you from diving.
You will be asked to fill in a self assessment medical form before doing anything. Lie on the form and the onus is very much on you if you have an accident. ("Yes, Your Honour, I AM an epileptic, but I SO wanted to go diving" ain't gonna wash!)
Remember, don't jump in the water thinking you are the next Jacques Cousteau. Take your time, take it easy, know your limitations and above all, do what you are told!
That way you will enjoy diving for many years.
If you want some more advice, PM me.
Cheers
Jim
John,
most of the advice here is good. I'm just a warm water,holiday diver with 50 odd dives and a PADI Advanced qualification (not very demanding).
I started with a referral course as mentioned earlier in the thread. You get the classroom and pool work done here before you go and then do the open water dives on holiday.
Yes, diving is dangerous, but so is driving a car around a track. If you stick to the rules with both, then you will be fine 99.99% of the time.
most of the advice here is good. I'm just a warm water,holiday diver with 50 odd dives and a PADI Advanced qualification (not very demanding).
I started with a referral course as mentioned earlier in the thread. You get the classroom and pool work done here before you go and then do the open water dives on holiday.
Yes, diving is dangerous, but so is driving a car around a track. If you stick to the rules with both, then you will be fine 99.99% of the time.
diddyman said:
John
Firstly, ignore totally what Fatbutt says, he is talking through his eponymous self. Diving is not a dangerous sport if you stick to the rules and understand clearly your own limitations. More people die each year being stung by wasps than from diving.
I do agree with everything else you said with the exception of this bit. Even if you know what you are doing and stick to the rules it can still be a very dangerous "sport"
I think I can say catagorically I have got more experience underwater than any sport or recreational diver I have ever met and that includes every single instructor, to the extent that when I was in Cyprus the owner of a dive shop after looking at my log book summary and accumulated hours (just shy of 6000 hours underpressure) including search and recovery, construction, salvage, and research, asked if I would accompany him on some exploration of an uncharted cave system they had recently discovered, I declined because I didn't trust him enough (but did go back with someone else and check them out later). However for the last 7 years I have been medically unfit to dive due to tearing a lung in an accident that happened at 20 metres (equipment malfunction) in what is in effect a swimming pool. I would have died had it not been for my own ability to recognise within 4 seconds to onset of the problem (oxygen narcosis) and act before I lost conciousness and the fact that we had an on standby single man emergency decompression pot within 20 feet of where I broke surface.
I always say the same thing to people and that is that they need to realise they are potentially risking their lives and that only they can control the degree of risk through training and knowledge. Having said that once you understand what you are risking it is no more dangerous than driving a car or riding a motorbike you need to work within your own limitations but have an understanding that the unpredicatable can happen and know how to respond if it does.
A PADI course is like a driving test in that you can legally drive at 70 mph on a rain soaked motorway 2 minutes after you pass, however if you had a tyre blow out you may well crash and die. We all have to learn and start somewhere and PADI is a good enough choice, just don't listen to anyone who comes out with its "perfectly safe" or "more people die from wasp stings rubbish" lets face it proberbly 80%+ of the worlds population are exposed to wasps but how many dive? It is a fact that fatality to participation wise Cave Diving is the most dangerous pastime in the world, base jumping doesn't come close. Go into it with your eyes open and know the risks involved, but don't let then stop you experiencing the different world that is underwater.
As a foot note I also know that there is currently a PHer still in hospital after a diving accident that happened early in December who has very little feeling below the waist, accidents do happen and when they do they hurt LOTS.
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