Diving advice please

[Deactivated] on 25/04/2013 - 03:45
Last edited 25/04/2013 - 08:59 by 1 other user

Hi there, I am interested in going to cities like Bali or Phuket for diving. I read that you need certification for this. Can anyone recommend a good diving place in Sydney (inner city)? Anyone has views on this, $199 course

Prior to meeting my current partner, I have had no interest in the ocean or beach as it made me uneasy. I'm scared of marine life (eels, snakes, sharks, worms) and in my early childhood I often had many recurring dreams about drowning in the ocean. I would wake up all sweaty and panicky. Not sure how badly this would affect me.

EDIT: Realise that group deal was for scuba diving, I am interested in open diving.

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  toxman on 25/04/2013 - 08:27

  Sent you a PM.

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    [Deactivated] on 25/04/2013 - 16:40

    Thanks! Just replied :)

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  toxman on 25/04/2013 - 08:47

  For some local insider info, get in touch with Michael McFadyen through his site:

  http://www.michaelmcfadyenscuba.info

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  kwaker on 25/04/2013 - 13:17

  +1

  Open water is scuba - self contained underwater breathing apparatus. You will need to know that and about how carbon monoxide affects you I.e the bends as to get cert you need to do an exam. Padi is a reputable institution. You need to qualify for open water cert to swim without an instructor.

  Advice: use google and study. Practise snorkeling. And taking you mask off under water and putting it back on and clearing the water out. Its very hard lifting the tank out of the water so practise biggybacking a kid or something to build the muscles. You will learn most in your course but prep helps. Get a good wetsuit of your own

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    [Deactivated] on 25/04/2013 - 16:42

    Thanks! Yeah I really lack muscles, would I be relying more on my back or arm muscles? I'm female and not very strong unfortunately, though I have been using my shakeweight and general 2kg weights

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      tonka on 25/04/2013 - 19:14

      Aerobic fitness is then most important underwater. The gear is pretty much weightless underwater, it is very heavy topside though, if it is a resort type dive there should be someone to help with this.

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    tonka on 25/04/2013 - 19:16

    Note, a wetsuit suitable for Sydney is probably useless in Bali or Phuket.

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  tonka on 25/04/2013 - 19:11

  Highly recommend diving, it's the best thing ever IMO.

  Most holiday destinations I have been to that have diving have what is called Discovery Diving.
  Discovery Diving is for uncertified divers where the dive master takes a small group usually 1 or 2 and personally looks after any tricky stuff.

  I have seen people Discovery dive that can't swim.

  I am a certified diver but next time I pay for a resort dive I will probably not say so if there are discovery divers in the group. I have found lately that resort dives include discovery divers who pay the same but get a lot more attention, ie first back on the boat, first choice of gear, instructor spends the time pointing interesting stuff out. The certified people end up just hovering along behind them.

  So advice is contact where you are going and find out if they have discovery dive. If so do that and you should get some credit you can use toward a certification course when you come back.

  If your partner dives definately get them to take you through the basics first.

  Also if you get a bit panicky the first time you go under , please just take a minute to relax and try again, it can be a little freaky until your mind understands there is plenty of air available. Once this happens it is a completely different experience.