Any divers here?

[RobertN]

Our Boy Scout troop had a 1st and 2nd class swim test today. We did it at an indoor pool, at a local dive center. The place is a full Scuba facility, with sales and training.

It got me to wondering, anyone here into Scuba or free dive?

I have certs, but have not dove in a couple of years. I have primarily dove Monterey Ca, and the Channel Islands in southern Ca. The Channel Islands were a blast, because we did 3-day liveaboards on boats from Truth Aquatics

I have also done a few dives in Maui and Kauai. I liked them best, mostly for the warm water /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

My wife has done tons of dives. Her original pursuit was Marine Biology. In school, she used to dive 4 or 5 times a week in Monterey and Moss Landing.

Going to the dive center got me interested in getting out again...

 

[Gomez]

Like you, I'm certified but have not dove in several years. A buddy of mine just booked a sailing trip and I wanted to go, hoping to get some diving in, as there was another diver going, but he cancelled so I didn't go. Did a Bonaire trip about 10 years ago, that was great, did some wreck diving off Jersey as well.
I'm in Puerto Rico quite often but have not had a chance to do any diving there yet.

Unfortunately, my wife has no interest in diving, but I'll keep her anyway. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

We're planning on going to Hawaii this fall, maybe I'll get out then.

 

[Richard]

Ditto on the C card.

I also went out & bought a Nikon N-90S and underwater housing to begin my Jaques Cousteau career... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Perhaps you've seen my work... (and perhaps not! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif)

Coolest place I've been to diving was Saba in the Carib. Near St. Martin.

Not only is it a way cool place to dive, the people there are about as nice as anyone you could meet.

long story short, dove near end of trip, wife stayed on St. Martin so gave her all my cash...after all "Mr. Don't leave home without it had his ??? card" and as we got setup to dive, guess what they did NOT accept. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

I had also rented a camera and had just enough cash in pocket to pay for my single dive (out of 2).

She looked at me realizing what had happend and said "No one comes to Saba and doesn't dive..."

"Tell you want, get ready for our second dive, KEEP your cash and when you get home, you can send me a check for what you owe"

So I got to go on two dives, lunch and rental camera on my word of honor.

Of course, when I got home the first thing I did was send them a check.

Although it dawned on me their real financial "risk" was 2 tanks of air and rental camera (so their net out of pocket risk was quite minimal I'd say) their attitude none the less simply sealed the deal for me on how charmed I was with the place.

Check it out Saba

 

[jeffinsgf]

Certified in 1997 and for several years we went on 3 or 4 Caribbean dive trips a year. Since we bought our place, I've chosen to spend my free time tractor'ing and 'scaping. We still go at least once a year and have two planned for 2007. Bonaire is our favorite. We go the end of August / first of September every year.

 

[woodchuckie]

My son and I went on a tourist cruise ship dive in St. Thomas and decided to get certified when we got home. Our certification dives were done on a seven day stay at Bemini. We have since dove Bemini twice more, a live aboard to Dry Tortegas and dove Aruba on another cruise. My last dive was a weeks stay in The Bahamas at stewart coves three years ago. . My son has outgrown me (26) and lifes changes have prevented more diving.

 

[TresCrows]

NAUI certified in 1966, life long and active diver since I was 12yo. Hold various advanced certs. Dive lot's especially when I go on walkabout. I am leaving in a few weeks for an extensive dive trip throughout Florida retracing some of the places I dove as a child. Also have dived many exotic areas and California, freshwater lakes and caves. Love the water, when the time comes I am headed back south.
I have lot's of dive gear but mostly these days I use vintage gear,like Sea Hunt, it is fun diving the way I began. J

 

[MarEng]

Police Diver. The fish and coral bored me stiff so now I dive where I can't see. It's all done by feel, often in moving and very black water. Dry suits, special soap and skin infections are the order of the day. I am trying to restore an old two hose Costeau regulator - more comfortable in the mouth - for dives done without an AGA. Gauges are useless - can't see and they tend to get tangled - so the surface tender times the dive. It is nothing to get tangled 2-3 times in a 30 minute dive and have to drop the tank, extract it and re-rig all in the dark.

 

[Richard]

Yeeeesh... not to mention some of the objects you might be looking for (some of the times)... especially when you're feeling about for them in the dark.

/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[MarEng]

Dead bodies don't stink underwater. Just don't remove your mask/regulator until the body is bagged. Of course as a diver you spend more time as a tender that a diver (rotate) so chances are you'll bag more than you'll find. Makes looking for guns, dumped cars, etc. far more appealling.

 

[Richard]

Yes, I'm aware they don't stink underwater. Having never "grabbed" one though, I just get all kinds of icky thoughts as to what the texture might be after some of the locals nibble away ... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif