Question or Suggestion

[decodiva]

I have found that I dont like murkey water-- Is there any where other thatn cerelean in the Midwest that we could go and get good vis so I can practice my skills and not freak out because I cant see?

[nauifins73]

I don't blame you - I feel the same way. Most of my dives have been in the Ocean with really nice vis. I have found that with more dives; the more confidence I get; the easier it is to do some of the skills.

I REFUSED to take my regulator out of my mouth (& I have 110 dives) until I started having to show my Scuba Rangers how to do it. About the only skill I would do is to flood my mask (beacuse it was fogged) and then pruge it. I really wonder how many divers actually do any of the skill after their check out dives?

Wish I knew of some clear water locally but I promise with more dives will come a better comfort level.

We need to get a MidWestDive.com Ladies weekend planned!

[decodiva]

I would love to but once again I have this fear. I want to have Bob with me. I just feel more safe with him there. I should get over it but ugh maybe next summer. I did my open water last weekend at table rock and its safe to say I wont be back there anytime soon. It was not the cold I just couldnt see and that freaks me out and it was hard for me to just relax an get my buoncy and go. Bob did not dm my class but he was there and it made me feel somewhat better. Put it this way on our deep dive i freaked out at 15 ft but at 100 I was ok-- crazy huh?

[DeepDiverBob]

I dont know what you are talking about, no vis. Once we got under 25 feet, I thought it opened up beautifully.

[theskull]

For the most part, in the Midwest, if you want good vis you either have to go deep (sometimes at least 40 feet, often at least 70 feet) or you have to go cold (Mermet Springs usually has very good vis, at 55 F, and the winter dives are often good vis locally).

However, you will also find that poor vis will not detract from your enjoyment once you have gained confidence and improved your skills. You learn to take your enjoyment from the weightless feeling and from your ability to navigate flawlessly in spite of not seeing where you are going.

OR, you settle for diving only when you can afford the time and travel to go to the Carribean or even more exotic destinations. Hope you learn to like the local diving and come out and join us often,

theskull

[Atlaua]

I have found that I dont like murkey water-- Is there any where other thatn cerelean in the Midwest that we could go and get good vis so I can practice my skills and not freak out because I cant see?

As others have mentioned, it's all about confidence. Correct me if I'm wrong, but you've never been diving in blue water yet have you?

My advice is, keep hacking away at the local stuff and continue to build confidence slowly. If you need Bob around, that's fine, he's not one to turn down a dive :D.

When you do get that nice vacation in warm, clear water, pay attention to the other people on the boat. Watch them strut around and then take some peeks at them in the water. You'll be amazed at how easy and efforless it is after the diving you have done here, and you'll be surprised at some of the thing you see in others.

Diving in low vis is a struggle for anyone, but with those who are new and are still learning bouyancy it can be very frustrating. Hang in there and it will come.

As for local sites with good vis, we had great vis in Lake Michigan a couple of weeks ago and Bonne Terre is always an option.

James

[Finally Swimming]

I have found that I dont like murkey water-- Is there any where other thatn cerelean in the Midwest that we could go and get good vis so I can practice my skills and not freak out because I cant see?

I agree with you here, my hope is that after learning my skills in the limited vis of the midwest I will appreciate good vis and have the need skills for diving in the big blue. Also, if I give up now, I may never get to the big blue...so I continue to work on.

We've been diving at Lake Wazee in Black River Falls, WI. The vis is pretty good-25-30 feet three weeks ago.

Best of luck-

[jcm996]

For the most part, in the Midwest, if you want good vis you either have to go deep (sometimes at least 40 feet, often at least 70 feet) or you have to go cold (Mermet Springs usually has very good vis, at 55 F, and the winter dives are often good vis locally).

However, you will also find that poor vis will not detract from your enjoyment once you have gained confidence and improved your skills. You learn to take your enjoyment from the weightless feeling and from your ability to navigate flawlessly in spite of not seeing where you are going.

OR, you settle for diving only when you can afford the time and travel to go to the Carribean or even more exotic destinations. Hope you learn to like the local diving and come out and join us often,

theskull

Last week I was at 60 feet and could not see my gauges without my light. This was inland, I was more worried about my buddy who was not very exp. Not that I am overall. But it was a great learning exp for both of us.