Hope there's a few other divers out there. If you're interested in checking out some underwater shots in Asia and Western Pacific, here's my website: http://www.buffleheadprod.com. These are strictly amateur, but I welcome any comments.
Hope there's a few other divers out there. If you're interested in checking out some underwater shots in Asia and Western Pacific, here's my website: http://www.buffleheadprod.com. These are strictly amateur, but I welcome any comments.
Hope there's a few other divers out there. If you're interested in checking out some underwater shots in Asia and Western Pacific, here's my website: http://www.buffleheadprod.com. These are strictly amateur, but I welcome any comments.
All the best,
ScubaDave
Nice pictures, I really like the one with the twin cuttlefish, because I find the lack of clarity makes them look more mysterious, like aliens lol. That's pretty sweet that you saw that whale shark! What was your favorite place out of the ones shown? I've been scuba diving once and I am interested in getting certified because I think it would be a great hobby. Any tips on getting started?
Sorry for the delay in responding, but I just returned form a week-long dive trip in the Maldives - had some great diving...at one point surrounded by over 100 manta rays, and another dive with 4 whale sharks. Pretty incredible, and I hope to have the pics up in a few weeks or so.
With regards to your questions on how to get started. First - I'm assuming that you're comfortable in the water. If you are not, then you need to get there - generally one of the tests during open water certification is a ten minute treading water exercise, and a 200 meter swim (I think that's the distance).
Next, contact a dive shop that offers certification with either PADI, NAUI, or SSI (these are the most common in the US, but I'm not sure where you're from so there may be others, such as the British Sub-Aqua Club). If you know of any divers in the area, check with them for reputable instructors. Also, depending on your location, you may be doing some of your training in fresh-water and/or cold water locales. You just want to be prepared for this, as it's a bit different than blue-water 80 degree F water temperature diving.
The book work is generally pretty straightforward, and shouldn't present a problem. The underwater work will just take some time getting used to. A good instructor will make it fun and interesting.
Good luck, and feel free to contact me if you've got any other questions.
Dave
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"Those who assume hypotheses as first principles of their speculations...may indeed form an ingenious romance, but a romance it will still be." Roger Cotes - preface to Newton's Principia Mathematica 2nd ed 1713
great pic's. My favorites where the mantis shrimp, porcelain crabs, limpits, and the pic of the goby/pistol shrimp relationship. that is a truly cool little deal the two species have worked out.
"Those who assume hypotheses as first principles of their speculations...may indeed form an ingenious romance, but a romance it will still be." Roger Cotes - preface to Newton's Principia Mathematica 2nd ed 1713
Just the thread ive been lookin for! Need some help Dave
hey dave - that site and pics are incredible!!! You have a hell of a hobby brother,. i was hopin you could give me some tips and some unbiased info (since your not workin the counter at a scuba joint).
I live in Jupiter, Florida (about 30 minutes north of palm beach int'l airport). Here's a map link for reference.
I did about a year of diving in community college about 12 years ago, openwater and advanced certs. Deepest were some 100 feet wrecks in the Keys. I've lost a ton of weight and been swimming in my pool alot lately; broke out the mask and snorkel, and the weightbelt fits again. I started researching dive outfits, and there are 2 with boats, within 5 minutes of my house. It got my wheels spinning! But then I saw the dive report it freaked me out a little
Jupiter, FL 2/27/05
Seas were 3-5ft with some bigger waves coming in quite often. Water temp was 70 degrees and there were sharks everywhere. We saw bull sharks, lemon sharks, black tips, and reef sharks. The lobster were scarce but the visibility was 60-70ft and everyone who braved the seas got an awesome big animal encounter.
Sharks:
Whats been your experience with sharks? are there colors, sounds, scents that they prefer to chomp on- ie) the yum yum yellow myth? Id like no part of an ass chomping, what would your advice be?
Equptment:
Do you have a favorite brand of equiptment - masks in particular? Should a casual diver (1-3 per month) - rent, buy used, or buy new eqpt?
Well thats all im gonna blast you wth this round. Any info you can give is GREATLY appreciated!
.
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Last edited by *KNUCKLEHEAD*; 06-14-2008 at 06:43 PM.
I'm going to thailand this summer, hopefully be scuba diving
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Thanks for the comments Knucklehead - here's my two cents worth on your questions below.
Sharks:
Whats been your experience with sharks? are there colors, sounds, scents that they prefer to chomp on- ie) the yum yum yellow myth? Id like no part of an ass chomping, what would your advice be?
My experiences with sharks has been largely limited to reef sharks, although I have had a few dives where some pelagics showed up. Generally, they leave you alone, unless you're doing something that interests them (so...don't do anything that interests them). Normal strategies for dive groups when a big munchy shows up is to have everyone get into a circle facing outward, keep your hands in, and just let the animal do its thing. Issues tend to occur when people start feeding the creatures. The ONLY time I've had been on a dive boat where someone got injured seriously was when the idiot was feeding. In that case, a moray eel got the better part of his thumb. In my opinion, sharks are the least of your worries. You are far more likely to be injured by some stinging critter than a shark. In my experience, scorpionfish, stingrays, and stonefish generate a lot more problems simply because they lay well-hidden until an inexperienced or out-of-control diver puts his hand down on top of them.
Quote:
Originally Posted by *KNUCKLEHEAD*
Equptment:
Do you have a favorite brand of equiptment - masks in particular? Should a casual diver (1-3 per month) - rent, buy used, or buy new eqpt?
I like Scuba Pro BCs & Regs, but there's lots of good equipment out there. Masks are a real personal thing. Ya gotta make sure you've got a good fit - otherwise, it's no fun at all. With regards to rent/buy - the economics become pretty clear if you're diving 1-3 times per month. Not to mention that if you have a BC that fits you really well, you use less air when diving because of comfort factors. I'm a big fan of owning your own equipment, and then getting is serviced regularly.
Have fun!!!
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Life begins underwater
"Those who assume hypotheses as first principles of their speculations...may indeed form an ingenious romance, but a romance it will still be." Roger Cotes - preface to Newton's Principia Mathematica 2nd ed 1713
I also stayed aboard the Truk Agressor II. Oh man that was such a fantastic trip!
Tks SF - We were aboard Truk Aggressor II as well. Great boat, and great crew. Capt. Niall was the at the helm when we were there. They have since moved the boat to North Sulawesi Indonesia, and we dived again aboard the boat this last Spring. Capt. Niall and his brother are still in charge and it was a great time.
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http://www.buffleheadprod.com
Life begins underwater
"Those who assume hypotheses as first principles of their speculations...may indeed form an ingenious romance, but a romance it will still be." Roger Cotes - preface to Newton's Principia Mathematica 2nd ed 1713
I got scuba certified and have all of my own gear and it's great. I find myself freediving more than scuba diving, though. If you are interested in spearfishing Florida for grouper, hogfish, and amberjacks then I would recommend you try freedivng as well as scuba and see which one you like more.
I believe we're going to dive @ either Belieze or Cossamel. Don't know which one is the best.
North Belize has the amazing reefs and the Blue Hole and the South the Whale Sharks and the outer reef too. Ecologic Divers is a good outfit with capable boat and experienced crew.
In Cozumel check out SCUBA Tony (if he's still around), Yucatech Expeditions, or Dive Cozumel. All are good outfits.
If you have the choice, definitely go to Belize, no question there.
North Belize has the amazing reefs and the Blue Hole and the South the Whale Sharks and the outer reef too. Ecologic Divers is a good outfit with capable boat and experienced crew.
In Cozumel check out SCUBA Tony (if he's still around), Yucatech Expeditions, or Dive Cozumel. All are good outfits.
If you have the choice, definitely go to Belize, no question there.
WOW, thanks. Belize sounds like just what we're looking for. I appreciate it.
Tks SF - We were aboard Truk Aggressor II as well. Great boat, and great crew. Capt. Niall was the at the helm when we were there. They have since moved the boat to North Sulawesi Indonesia, and we dived again aboard the boat this last Spring. Capt. Niall and his brother are still in charge and it was a great time.
Im very interested, if i got PADI certified what would be the chances of getting some work in scuba on a boat? I can go to mails or PM's if you want. Thanks.
Im very interested, if i got PADI certified what would be the chances of getting some work in scuba on a boat? I can go to mails or PM's if you want. Thanks.
If you had experience and got instructor certified I'm sure you can find a job at some resort or dive shop. There is absolutely no money it though, payment is not too much higher than minimum wage, the bonuses are gear discounts, free fills, and obviously free diving.
If you had experience and got instructor certified I'm sure you can find a job at some resort or dive shop. There is absolutely no money it though, payment is not too much higher than minimum wage, the bonuses are gear discounts, free fills, and obviously free diving.
Scuba sounds awesome. I'd love to live in an area where I'd be able to get into that.
Yes i had never been aware of a training provider until i moved to the coast. Wonder where the greatest dive sites are around the world, i would say Barrier Reef or shipwrecks.
A couple things to think about before you consider becoming a full-time instructor:
1) You have to love dealing with all types of people, and all of people's fears, concerns, and issues about being in the water. You'll have to do a fair amount of hand-holding along the way.
2) Diving 3-4 dives a day at a resort or on a boat leaves little time for anything else. Your life becomes about diving and work. You will rarely have time for "fun" dives, and when you do have time, you generally won't want to go diving.
3) The money sucks.
If you're still keen after reading this, and taking it to heart, then you probably are one of the few who are cut out to do this type of work.
Good luck!
Dave
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http://www.buffleheadprod.com
Life begins underwater
"Those who assume hypotheses as first principles of their speculations...may indeed form an ingenious romance, but a romance it will still be." Roger Cotes - preface to Newton's Principia Mathematica 2nd ed 1713
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Just the thread ive been lookin for! Need some help Dave
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