Scuba Diving thread?

Repta · 10 Oct 2011 at 14:13

danbt said:
So how would I go about getting into Scuba diving like this? I am a poor student, so it would need to be as cheap as possible lol.

If your university has a dive club that would probably be the cheapest way to learn. What uni are you at?

danbt · 10 Oct 2011 at 14:21

University of Birmingham.

I currently do Rowing, so probably wouldnt be able to take it up as a full time thing. Something for relaxation tbh.

funguST · 10 Oct 2011 at 23:15

What method do you prefer using to pop your ears? i've only tried scuba once (was in Gran Canaria on some pleasure boat thing), would love to get my open water cert, but i had problems popping my right ear last time i tried. Only way i can seem to pop it most of the time is by yawning (don't think i can do this under water). Is it worth me trying for open water straight away or maybe getting a taster session in the UK to see if i struggle. I live very close to the muddy lake by Heathrow.

PistolPete · 11 Oct 2011 at 00:11

I prefer to pinch my nose and blow.

Tried a few other hands free methods, but none work for me as well as the nose pinch.

platypus · 11 Oct 2011 at 16:51

I actually cannot get the hands free methods to work at all. Really irritating as I've practiced a fair amount, just can't do it.

DominicStar · 15 Oct 2011 at 20:42

I used to be able to wiggle my jaw but can't equalise properly that way now. I need to pinch and blow and swallow at the same time.

Xerco · 17 Oct 2011 at 09:49

I got my open water cert last year, but yeh i have to hold my nose and blow quite hard, the wiggling jaw thing does nothing for me and swallowing is ok.

Bluntwrapped · 20 Oct 2011 at 12:30

I'm so jealous. This doesn't really count I suppose... but a few years ago my sister bought me a voucher to dive with the Tiger Sharks at Deep Sea World. One of the greatest experiences of my whole life

hitting the floor and feeling dwarfed by the shadow of a pregnant female covered in teeth marks. Was pretty frightening being so close to this monster! The curvature of the glass tunnel made them seem so much smaller on the outside so I did s*it my pants a bit. Thankfully I had a dry suit on and the Sharks couldn't smell my fear!

PistolPete · 20 Oct 2011 at 14:57

That "fear" does leak out through a shoulder or cuff dump ;-)

Bluntwrapped · 20 Oct 2011 at 15:43

PistolPete said:
That "fear" does leak out through a shoulder or cuff dump

Rofl thankfully I had quite a snazzy shell suit on under the dry suit

it gave me a few more minutes to get out of the water.

joxang · 21 Oct 2011 at 11:09

These are awesome! Guys can you post what equipment you're using? I.e. Camera (+ housing), and any external strobes?

I'm going to Seychelles in February and am a keen photographer but I'm struggling to find a suitably priced kit for underwater photography.

Snax · 21 Oct 2011 at 13:14

joxang said:
These are awesome! Guys can you post what equipment you're using? I.e. Camera (+ housing), and any external strobes?

I'm going to Seychelles in February and am a keen photographer but I'm struggling to find a suitably priced kit for underwater photography.

I would like to know this too.

I am torn between underwater housing for a TZ8 or just buying a tough smart cam like the olympus 810 of panasonic ft3

ripoffthemonkey · 4 Dec 2011 at 13:22

PermaBanned said:
How do you even get started in Scuba?

Really?

ripoffthemonkey · 4 Dec 2011 at 13:24

danbt said:
University of Birmingham.

I currently do Rowing, so probably wouldnt be able to take it up as a full time thing. Something for relaxation tbh.

Truro College down in Cornwalland is the cheapest dive center in the UK, It is also the only Uni with a dive center as part of the college. Its great, loads of trips being orginised.

shroomz · 28 Jan 2012 at 10:45

Just paid for my open water course, due to do the dives in the first weekend of march

Amp34 · 28 Jan 2012 at 12:34

ripoffthemonkey said:
Truro College down in Cornwalland is the cheapest dive center in the UK, It is also the only Uni with a dive center as part of the college. Its great, loads of trips being orginised.

Is Truro College part of the University of Plymouth?

EDIT: Yes it is

The UOP has it's own dive centre as well, in fact there are several courses you can do that give you the option of a diving module. Last time I checked you can get professional diving qualifications in both Civ Eng and Biological degrees.

I did a year of Civ Eng there and did the pre requisites (boat handling, first aid, Sea survival, radio) module, didn't get to do the diving module (second year) as I changed courses.

Out of interest, i'm wondering about getting an open water qualification this year but would love to spend some time on a live aboard at the same time (preferably a nice sailing yacht type arrangement). Am I likely to be able to do my open water on a live aboard if I do the prerequisites before I go (pool dives etc)?

shroomz · 11 Mar 2012 at 17:39

Got certified OW today

mattyg · 11 Mar 2012 at 18:26

Congrats pal, Just use it more often than I do (once a year on holiday)

PistolPete · 12 Mar 2012 at 19:55

Amp34 said:
Am I likely to be able to do my open water on a live aboard if I do the prerequisites before I go (pool dives etc)?

Yes, this is called an Open Water Referral course. You do the confined water sessions at home in a local pool then the open water sessions elsewhere, maybe abroad. Just need to check that where you are going do referral courses.

mr tommo · 9 Apr 2012 at 13:35

Guys I'm off to Maldives for my honeymoon in July, would love to have a go at scuba diving. Its fascinates me, but I'd rather it wasn't my first go when I get there as I really want to be able to take it all in rather than worry about everything else. What would people recommend? Getting to a certain level before I go?