What to expect?

[chris_thompson98]

I was just curious on what to expect to get my OW dive certification. Were doing the classroom, pool and OW all in the same weekend. Just curious on what im going to be doing.

[DeepDiverBob]

expect to be very tired at the end of every night. Those are some long weekends.

[MgicTwnger]

Yeah. I frankly don't see how it even possible to cram that all into two days.

[DeepDiverBob]

It can be done, but it has to be a small class, and a pretty good paced one. Might even start it on Friday sometimes.

[M&P+4]

I was just curious on what to expect to get my OW dive certification. Were doing the classroom, pool and OW all in the same weekend. Just curious on what im going to be doing.

first - your going to get wet

I would suggest you and your gf partner up with other students rather than together so you develop your skills independant of each other. It also helps keep peace after the class....;)

good luck!

[theskull]

You'll be doing everything! And personally, I love doing it that way--intense training with a lot of immediate repetition.

To be best prepared, make sure you have done all your reading in advance, completed the Knowledge Reviews (and hopefully understand most of it), and do your best to understand the RDP (dive tables) or ERDP (calculator-like thingy that is replacing the tables in many classes).

Also be sure you have a good set of mask & fins that fit well.

Enjoy yourself. It will be a blast!

theskull

[nauifins73]

Which agency are you certifying with? SSI doesn't spend a lot of time on the tables anymore.

[DeepDiverBob]

Which agency are you certifying with? SSI doesn't spend a lot of time on the tables anymore.

I think this might have to come another topic on its own. I personally dont like the fact agencies are going away from tables. Whats wrong with knowing the basics?

[theskull]

I think this might have to come another topic on its own. I personally dont like the fact agencies are going away from tables. Whats wrong with knowing the basics?

Bob, you'll be happy to know that they are about to release a Nitrox ERDP.

Soon you won't have to learn tables until you get to Deep Tech/Deco classes. Even then, with dive planning software and a backup dive computer some folks seem to avoid tables.

Not that I don't agree with you.

theskull

[DeepDiverBob]

Bob, you'll be happy to know that they are about to release a Nitrox ERDP.

Soon you won't have to learn tables until you get to Deep Tech/Deco classes. Even then, with dive planning software and a backup dive computer some folks seem to avoid tables.

Not that I don't agree with you.

theskull

But...and...what if...ahhh, forget it.

[nauifins73]

But...and...what if...ahhh, forget it.

The way of the future?

(I'm not saying I agree - I have been married to a guy that was certified in 1969 - we have been known to check my dives by the tables after I have gotten home from a trip)

[DeepDiverBob]

I dont want to get away from the point of this thread, but I am really interested to see how many people will miss dives because their eRDP gets wet and doesnt work, and they dont know how to use a table. Granted, they should have bought a computer, but they fail, too.

edit - The further we get from the basics, the less "thinking" a diver has to do, I think that is only going to increase accidents and put a black eye on our sport.

[nauifins73]

I have not taken any PADI classes - what is the eRDP?

[MgicTwnger]

I have not taken any PADI classes - what is the eRDP?
Electronic dive planner:

http://www.simplyscuba.com/ProductDetails.aspx?StockID=14083

No more working those pesky tables! PADI dumbs it down once again.

[M&P+4]

I dont want to get away from the point of this thread, but I am really interested to see how many people will miss dives because their eRDP gets wet and doesnt work, and they dont know how to use a table. Granted, they should have bought a computer, but they fail, too.

edit - The further we get from the basics, the less "thinking" a diver has to do, I think that is only going to increase accidents and put a black eye on our sport.

I never took you for a technophobe Bob - but the dRDP does look pretty cheesy (coming from a Wisconsonite that's saying something!).
I most certainly am not opposed to teaching the dive tables but emphasizing it does seem an awful lot like using an abacus to do your taxes when you have TurboTax loaded on the PC sitting right next to you. Fun for some maybe, but it does seem a bit cave man to me.

[chris_thompson98]

Thanks for the info, We all have our fins and masks. We have been snorkling around the lake for quite a while. I know its not the same as diving, It is fun though. We just got in our books to start reading today.

Another thing, My fiance' has a small face, her masks leaks bad. Does anyone have any sudjustions on what to do, or on a good mask for someone who has a small face?

[DeepDiverBob]

I never took you for a technophobe Bob - but the dRDP does look pretty cheesy (coming from a Wisconsonite that's saying something!).
I most certainly am not opposed to teaching the dive tables but emphasizing it does seem an awful lot like using an abacus to do your taxes when you have TurboTax loaded on the PC sitting right next to you. Fun for some maybe, but it does seem a bit cave man to me.

Okay, then let me know how your taxes come out when you lose power due to a spring storm on April 12th, and power is out for 5 days. What I mean by that is, if you are dependant on the eRDP, and you bring it on the boat, and it dies, you are clueless about tables. Granted, the dive computer is the way to go, buy this is your life we are talking about. I think, in my opinion, its very important to understand what the numbers are telling you.

[theskull]

Thanks for the info, We all have our fins and masks. We have been snorkling around the lake for quite a while. I know its not the same as diving, It is fun though. We just got in our books to start reading today.

Another thing, My fiance' has a small face, her masks leaks bad. Does anyone have any sudjustions on what to do, or on a good mask for someone who has a small face?

Easy. Get her in to the dive shop to try masks on with help from the store staff. Those of us with narrow faces can be fit, but there will only be a couple masks in the entire shop to choose from that fit well. You just gotta put them all on to find the one that fits. Go for fit first--and style and color last. The entire experience is much more enjoyable with a mask that is not constantly leaking.

theskull

[chris_thompson98]

Easy. Get her in to the dive shop to try masks on with help from the store staff. Those of us with narrow faces can be fit, but there will only be a couple masks in the entire shop to choose from that fit well. You just gotta put them all on to find the one that fits. Go for fit first--and style and color last. The entire experience is much more enjoyable with a mask that is not constantly leaking.

theskull



Thank you verry much for the info, Ive never been into this dive shop at Table Rock before? Does Scuba Sports have a good selection of dive masks?

[theskull]

Thank you verry much for the info, Ive never been into this dive shop at Table Rock before? Does Scuba Sports have a good selection of dive masks?

I'm sure they have the best selection in Branson. It is a good shop; I've done business with them several times. They are also the sponsors of Project AWARE, Sept. 15-16 at Table Rock, which would be a great place to get some diving in if you're certified by then.

There's also a good-sized shop in Springfield, but I have not been inside it.

theskull

[BottomDweller]

I was taught that to fit a mask, you put it on your face without pulling the strap over your head and breathe in with your nose. The mask should stick to your face without your having to hold it in place with your hands. Mine did that, I bought it, and I've never had a problem with it leaking.

Chris, have you had your class yet? What agency are you certifying with, SSI, PADI?

There were people in my Open Water class who didn't do the reading and the quizzes before class, and they were way behind. One couple even tried to buy one logbook and one textbook for both of them, thinking they could share. Learning to dive isn't hard, but the more reading and preparation you do, and the more you put into the classes, the more you'll learn, the better you'll learn it, and the more you'll enjoy it. Have fun!

[chris_thompson98]

We are doing the PADI class, We bolth have our books and have been reading them for the past 2 weeks. Im really excited to dive, Just from snorkleing I can tell that im going to be hooked the first time I do it.

Il tell my Fiance about the mask trick, She needs a better one. I use the pro ear 2000 I think its called. With the ear protectors, They do a nice job of keeping water out of my ears. I use to get swimmers ear really bad.

Tank you to everyone who has answerd my questions. Its helped me get over my rookie fears about it.

[theskull]

. . . Tank you to everyone who has answerd my questions. Its helped me get over my rookie fears about it.

Fears?? There's no fear in SCUBA!!

(One of my favorite movie lines -- from "A League of Their Own" -- "There's no crying in baseball!")

I'm sure you meant apprehensions. ;)

Have a great class,
theskull

[SLIM]

An there is "no crying in SCUBA" Just a sad day.

You will learn so much and have so many aprehesions when you try to take a new class or even advance you skills each dive you do. It only takes time and dives to get that compfort zone down that each dive is more and more enjoyable.

SLIM

[BottomDweller]

An there is "no crying in SCUBA" Just a sad day.

You will learn so much and have so many aprehesions when you try to take a new class or even advance you skills each dive you do. It only takes time and dives to get that compfort zone down that each dive is more and more enjoyable.

SLIM

That's the truth. I've had some less than perfect days diving, but the more I do it, the more the skills become automatic. I took the rescue and search & recovery classes this weekend, and, like every other time I've taken advanced training, my confidence level has skyrocketed. I've done a lot of reading outside of my scuba texts, including the book Diver Down, which analyzes actual dive accidents and says what went wrong. Again, the more you put into diving, the more you'll enjoy it and the better you'll be at it. Pay close attention in class, and be sure you get a chance to perform every skill at least once. If you don't feel comfortable with any skill, ask the instructor to let you do it again. You can't know the skills too well.

[Finally Swimming]

Okay, then let me know how your taxes come out when you lose power due to a spring storm on April 12th, and power is out for 5 days. What I mean by that is, if you are dependant on the eRDP, and you bring it on the boat, and it dies, you are clueless about tables. Granted, the dive computer is the way to go, buy this is your life we are talking about. I think, in my opinion, its very important to understand what the numbers are telling you.


that's why our taxes are done in January...refund years anyway!!!

Same goes with doing tables...do them early and often;)

[PSDIVERTOM]

Somehow I have a feeling you're doing a PADI course with all of that in just a weekend. Best of luck!!