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Started By
Message
Want to get certified for Scuba Diving
Posted on 2/19/15 at 10:56 am
Posted on 2/19/15 at 10:56 am
Where is the best place in BR to do so?
Also, as a side note, I was thinking about getting as a bday present for my mom a certification to scuba because she's always wanted to. But what age limit would be a cutoff for y'all? She's turning 65 and I'm trying to get her to travel around the world more and do some scuba diving things, but I think it may be a moot point at this juncture with her age. Any advice would be great
Also, as a side note, I was thinking about getting as a bday present for my mom a certification to scuba because she's always wanted to. But what age limit would be a cutoff for y'all? She's turning 65 and I'm trying to get her to travel around the world more and do some scuba diving things, but I think it may be a moot point at this juncture with her age. Any advice would be great
Posted on 2/19/15 at 10:58 am to LSUButt
Try Underwater Adventures on Government Street.
Posted on 2/19/15 at 10:58 am to LSUButt
There are a few guys on the outdoor board that dive and one who is an instructor (Out of New Orleans I think). You may get them quicker over there, but they should be here soon enough.
Posted on 2/19/15 at 11:00 am to LSUButt
How is her health? Maybe a dive shop would want her to have a doctor sign something before you started taking classes?
Maybe start off with one of those beginner classes where you see if you would really be interested in doing it....then you take the more expensive classes if she decides it's for her.
The "Explore Scuba" classes are usually like $50 at a dive shop and you don't have to buy all the gear first(snorkel,mask,fins, etc) like you do for regular scuba classes.
quote:
I was thinking about getting as a bday present for my mom a certification to scuba because she's always wanted to
Maybe start off with one of those beginner classes where you see if you would really be interested in doing it....then you take the more expensive classes if she decides it's for her.
The "Explore Scuba" classes are usually like $50 at a dive shop and you don't have to buy all the gear first(snorkel,mask,fins, etc) like you do for regular scuba classes.
Posted on 2/19/15 at 11:01 am to LSUButt
Don't blow your eardrum out like I did.
1. It hurts really fricking bad
2. You won't be able to dive anymore, or at least won't want to
1. It hurts really fricking bad
2. You won't be able to dive anymore, or at least won't want to
Posted on 2/19/15 at 11:03 am to DirtyMikeandtheBoys
Or get really bad ear infections in both ears at the same time like my husband and I did
OP...make sure she REALLY wants to do this for herself. Don't be like me and do it for someone else and then realize just how much you really don't want to dive
OP...make sure she REALLY wants to do this for herself. Don't be like me and do it for someone else and then realize just how much you really don't want to dive
Posted on 2/19/15 at 11:03 am to LSUButt
There's no age limit. Just depends on her swimming ability and health.
Posted on 2/19/15 at 11:04 am to LSUButt
quote:
I was thinking about getting as a bday present for my mom a certification to scuba because she's always wanted to
Just remember that a certification often times costs more than JUST the class. You've got the equipment most places require (mask, fins, snorkel, booties) then any costs associated with an open water certification dive which is often held along the gulf coast.
Posted on 2/19/15 at 11:07 am to LSUfan4444
quote:
Just remember that a certification often times costs more than JUST the class. You've got the equipment most places require (mask, fins, snorkel, booties) then any costs associated with an open water certification dive which is often held along the gulf coast.
I think we spent over a grand total for both of us to get certified after the costs of gear, classes, cert dives, etc.
And I will likely NEVER dive again. What a massive fail that whole experience was. $500 to realize diving is not for me. My husband really liked it...but kept having issues with his ears at depth so likely he'll never try again as well. But at least we have a really good set of snorkel gear for when we want to go snorkeling on vacations
Posted on 2/19/15 at 11:10 am to lsunurse
quote:
I think we spent over a grand total for both of us
The gear alone is probably $200 per person (on the cheap end), classes are about $100 each so it can be done for $1000, but alot depends on where the open water cert is. If it is in the Gulf in Destin it will be more than if it is in the fresh water srpings in Ponce Deleon.
Posted on 2/19/15 at 11:10 am to LSUfan4444
I meant to say that as well. Paying for someone else to get certified would be quite the investment. Unfortunately, it's not a cheap hobby.
Posted on 2/19/15 at 11:10 am to lsunurse
Same thing I did. $600 in classes and gear. Pass everything, get to the open water test, descend to 30 feet unable to clear my ears due to an unnoticed sinus infection, get to 30, ears hurting decide to clear extra hard. Viola, extreme pain in my left ear and salt water rushing into my mouth through my ear/sinus cavity.
Never diving again
Never diving again
This post was edited on 2/19/15 at 11:12 am
Posted on 2/19/15 at 11:16 am to DirtyMikeandtheBoys
Thanks for all the help. I a) knew it would be quite an investment b) I grew up snorkeling and just really want to go further and I'm fascinated by scuba diving c) she's always mentioned it throughout my life about going scuba diving, but she always says stuff she never ends up doing. I was going to ask her more if she really wanted to do it, she will most likely say no, but I was just seeing if it was even logical. And she's in pretty good health. No heart problems or any medical issues. Except that she had hand surgery a year ago after her dog undercut her
Posted on 2/19/15 at 11:17 am to DirtyMikeandtheBoys
So you busted your ear drum because you tried too hard to clear? Cuz you got be nervous, brah
Posted on 2/19/15 at 11:18 am to DirtyMikeandtheBoys
We did our open water in a lake here in AZ in January. Water temps 50 degrees and you can't see shite for visibility. Felt like a fricking teletubby in the thick wetsuits and the hood made me feel like I was being strangled(I'm claustrophobic). Thick gloves made it really difficult to handle anything underwater as well. To make things even more cheery that day...it rained all day long.
But yeah...did those damn underwater regulator sweeps over and over and then I start feeling extreme pain in one ear.....rushed up to the top (I was only like 25 feet down) not thinking and BAM...felt like my ear exploded. We had to reschedule dives cause of the ear infections and we both got certified(me just barely). I tried a dive in warm water in Costa Rica(cause everyone said it would be more enjoyable in clearer, warmer water). No it wasn't...made it down like 15 feet and realized I just wasn't enjoying it at all and all I was focused on was being back at the surface. My instructor did tell me that I could always technically still rent a tank and just do deeper snorkeling at say 10-15 feet and just pop up to the surface when I wish....may consider that, but that's the closest I'll ever come to diving.
But yeah...did those damn underwater regulator sweeps over and over and then I start feeling extreme pain in one ear.....rushed up to the top (I was only like 25 feet down) not thinking and BAM...felt like my ear exploded. We had to reschedule dives cause of the ear infections and we both got certified(me just barely). I tried a dive in warm water in Costa Rica(cause everyone said it would be more enjoyable in clearer, warmer water). No it wasn't...made it down like 15 feet and realized I just wasn't enjoying it at all and all I was focused on was being back at the surface. My instructor did tell me that I could always technically still rent a tank and just do deeper snorkeling at say 10-15 feet and just pop up to the surface when I wish....may consider that, but that's the closest I'll ever come to diving.
This post was edited on 2/19/15 at 11:19 am
Posted on 2/19/15 at 11:19 am to LSUButt
My two instructors were probably pushing 60. Granted, they've been doing it for decades but still shows that it's possible. She can do it if she wants.
I love it. Wish I could go more often.
I love it. Wish I could go more often.
Posted on 2/19/15 at 11:20 am to LSUButt
Ever had asthma?
If so, and you say you did, they'll scrap your app.
If so, and you say you did, they'll scrap your app.
Posted on 2/19/15 at 11:22 am to DirtyMikeandtheBoys
Your instructors should have told you to not force yourself to clear. I was told that if you're having difficulty, go back up, try again. Never force it. You also shouldn't have pain while descending if you are clearing the whole way like you are supposed to.
Posted on 2/19/15 at 11:23 am to Winkface
quote:
My two instructors were probably pushing 60. Granted, they've been doing it for decades but still shows that it's possible. She can do it if she wants. I love it. Wish I could go more often.
Our instructors were older as well. One is my sister in law's father in law so we see him at all my nephew's bday parties and he still tries to encourage us to try diving again. I really, really wanted to like it...would see all the cool videos of all the stuff you see underwater and sooo wanted to have that experience. Just could never overcome my fears I guess.
Posted on 2/19/15 at 11:25 am to Winkface
quote:
You also shouldn't have pain while descending if you are clearing the whole way like you are supposed to.
This was my husband's issue. I think it was just his ears though. His dad has a history of ear issues as well. I'd have no problem getting down while clearing and he would over and over be going back up and trying to go down again and still pain each time. Last time we saw our old instructor he told him about a special mask they now have for people with ear issues like him that he should try.
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