--------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 186 SCUBA Ref: E2T00002 Date: 02/19/97 From: STEVE ELLIOT Time: 12:44am \/To: TODD JASPERS (Read 1 times) Subj: Newbie Diver Hi Todd, Let me also give you some recommendations on learning to dive. HOW TO BECOME A SCUBA DIVER Why Take Scuba Lessons? Taking recreational Scuba diving lessons and becoming a certified Scuba diver is fun, exciting, easy and safe. Upon completion of your course, you'll receive a certification card (known as a "C-card") from one of the Scuba certification agencies (PADI, NAUI, SSI, YMCA, etc.) It's your ticket to the underwater world. With a c-card in hand, you can rent or purchase Scuba equipment, have air tanks filled, and take dive trips around the world. As an example, the PADI certification card (and others) is recognized worldwide and never expires. Nearly anyone over the age of twelve who is in average physical condition and who is comfortable in the water can learn to dive and join the thousands of kids, and adults young and old who are currently enjoying this spectacular pastime. When, Where and For How Long? At most dive centers regularly scheduled classes start every month, all year long. Most classes are scheduled to meet a couple of times a week for about three weeks. The typical introductory class includes three classroom training sessions for about three hours each, three training sessions in a swimming pool for about two hours each, and a weekend of diving to try out your new skills. The classes are usually offered in the evenings, but private courses to fit your schedule can be arranged with your local dive center. The weekend of diving will either be conducted in your local diving area, a lake, quarry, ocean, or perhaps you would prefer to make your open water checkout dives as a part of a vacation in an exotic tropical dive destination. To ensure quality instruction and personal attention, class size is generally limited to 8 new divers. Private instruction is available from most dive centers for an additional fee. How Much Does It Cost? The cost of learning to dive will vary by area, but here are some basic guidelines you can follow. The basic fee should include your registration materials, your textbook and course materials, certification fees, and the use of all scuba equipment needed for the course. Students usually have to purchase their own mask, fins, snorkel, wetsuit booties and weightbelt for the course, and most dive centers will give their new students a discount on these items. Most dive stores charge around $300 for the open water introductory class as described above, but if you see a class advertised for a whole lot less, check carefully to see what is *NOT* included in the price. Call several of the dive centers in your area, and then visit them and talk with their instructors. The most important factors to consider when choosing where to take your lessons should be the quality of the instruction and a sense of "comfortableness" with the dive center and your instructor. How Well Do I Have to Swim? For recreational sport diving, it's more important that you are comfortable in the water than to have Olympic swimming skills, but you do need to have some basic swimming ability. The swimming evaluation involves treading water for a brief period of time and a short swim using any swimming stroke that you choose. Are There Any Medical Issues To Consider? To become a recreational Scuba diver, you must be in good physical health. There are some medical conditions that could present problems, to any diver under the water. Most dive instructors will ask their students to complete a medical questionnaire and if any potential problem areas are uncovered, the student will need to get a physician's clearance before diving. Where Can I go Diving After Being Certified? Diving opportunities exist all over the world, and your local dive center will likely sponsor trips to a variety of destinations. Your dive center may also sponsor a dive club where you will have the opportunity to meet other divers and participate in diving-related activities. What Other Training Opportunities Exist? Your introductory course is just the beginning of your knowledge about the sport of Scuba diving. Additional courses are available to teach you the skills of wreck diving, underwater photography, night diving, deep diving, underwater hunting, etc. Check with your local dive center for more information. See you underwater! OOo O Steve Elliot O oO FidoNet Scuba Moderator o [\] Diver Down BBS [\] _____ o o Ft. Lauderdale, FL (_/-\_).. 954-436-3937 ===(O). selliot@attmail.com --- Babewatch patrol * Origin: Scuba Moderator [\] Diver Down BBS [\] (1:369/134) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 186 SCUBA Ref: E2T00003 Date: 02/18/97 From: LAURENCE CHARLOT Time: 09:25pm \/To: SEAN BUTLER (Read 1 times) Subj: Re: cold water -=> Quoting Sean Butler to Laurence Charlot <=- LC>a dry suit. Yes, they are expensive, but perhaps you are doing LC>enough diving to justify it. SB> Too many other hobbies. I have a 4x4, and '57 pontiac starchief, a I know what you mean about "too many other hobbies! My "other hobby" is sailing - I have a '79 Catalina 25, and an '86 Catalina 22 I am trying to sell - and it seems like these boats soak up cash like your 4 X 4 probably consumes gasoline (g). --- HyperMail! v1.22 * Origin: Omni - (916) 388-0905, longest running Sac BBS (1:203/3333) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 186 SCUBA Ref: E2T00004 Date: 02/18/97 From: LAURENCE CHARLOT Time: 09:39pm \/To: RON DENBOW (Read 1 times) Subj: Re: dive computers -=> Quoting Ron Denbow to All <=- RD> Hi there, RD> I'll be in the market for purchasing a dive computer. Would appreciate RD> any input, information, and prices. Thanks in advance!!! I like my Uwatec Aladin Sport. It is downloadable to a PC with the optional interface cable, stores 19 dives, cost is reasonable about $250, and is fully automatic (you don't have to manually push a button to start it like the Oceanic computers). --- HyperMail! v1.22 * Origin: Omni - (916) 388-0905, longest running Sac BBS (1:203/3333) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 186 SCUBA Ref: E2T00005 Date: 02/19/97 From: DENNIS SEAVEY Time: 09:11am \/To: RON DENBOW (Read 1 times) Subj: Dive Computers RD> I'll be in the market for purchasing a dive computer. Would RD> appreciateany input, information, and prices. Thanks in advance!!! It might be helpful if you define the problem a bit more. What kind of diving do you do? Does the computer have to adjust to altitudes or mixed gasses? Are you looking for something interfaceable with a computer or are you really looking for something to function mostly as the old dive timers used to? Give us more and we'll give you more. But mom blowing bubbles is not a "chemical" addiction! Dennis * SPITFIRE v3.51 --- Alexi/Mail 2.02b (#10000) * Origin: BrickYard BBS Gonic, NH 603 332-0419 (1:132/243) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 186 SCUBA Ref: E2T00006 Date: 02/17/97 From: TIM HAWKINS Time: 06:33pm \/To: ALL (Read 1 times) Subj: Hello...? Hi All! I've just fixed into this echo because... well, because it's here basically! I'm learning to scuba-dive at the moment - I've finished my pool training and will do my first open-water dive in the next month or so I think... And this just seems like a good place to get some general ideas about diving. :)) Some background about myself: I'm 18, I climb, I go mountain biking, I play the guitar, I listen to loud rock music, and I'm still at school (6th-form, to anyone who understands that! )... I'm *hoping* (i.e If I make the grades!) to study marine biology at Uni. next year... Hi again... er.. ok then, bfn, -=Tim=- ... Prunes give you a run for your money. --- Terminate 4.00 * Origin: The Call of the Ktulu (2:253/417.69) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 186 SCUBA Ref: E2T00007 Date: 02/20/97 From: TODD JASPERS Time: 08:31pm \/To: STEVE ELLIOT (Read 1 times) Subj: Newbie Diver -> See you underwater! . Hey thanks! i took a capture of all that, i have really been thinking about it, and i have the money now with my new job. Plus how can i not when i see everyone having sooooo much fun doing it. I have been swimming since i was like 3 i think.. or i dunno i think even before i could walk.. hehe and i am in really great shape so i am going to give it a try, thanks for the info! --- InterEcho 1.19 * Origin: Law Enforcement Computer Network - (954) 430-7300 (1:369/20) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 186 SCUBA Ref: E2T00008 Date: 02/18/97 From: HARRY OLDENHUIS Time: 11:21pm \/To: TODD JASPERS (Read 1 times) Subj: Anyone there? -> -> Anyone there? I haven't seen a message come through here since -> -> 1/14/97. Just want to know if the problem is the feed or there is -> -> message traffic. -> There is talk her In West Australia that the phone companies are -> Volume charging on the Internet in March -> So we might see some Scuba People back here. TJ> . TJ> i have heard some things like that too here in the US, TJ> they wanted to charge people for using American TJ> Online... per minute.. plus the regular American Online TJ> rate... it wont happen though.... people wont let it TJ> happen. Unless of course some lame ass lawyers have TJ> something to do about it. The Goverment is selling Tel$tra ( the phone Company ) so it could heppen here it would show there is a big profit in the Phone Company, they would get a better deal. :) Cheers Harry --- Maximus/2 3.01 * Origin: OziWest BBs Perth W.A. MultiLine 61-[09-458-1255] (3:690/416) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 186 SCUBA Ref: E2T00009 Date: 02/18/97 From: HARRY OLDENHUIS Time: 10:46pm \/To: TODD JASPERS (Read 1 times) Subj: What's New Hallo Todd -> > I'm just checking to see what may be going on in this echo since it -> > been some time since I have been hooked in to a node. For anyone TJ> . TJ> ok, hmm... i would like to start diving, i heard its TJ> really cool, but i havent given it a chance.. i live in TJ> south south florida... just above the keys.. so i live TJ> in the right place... what do i need in order to get TJ> started diving.. and what courses do i need or should i take? I would like to help you, But I'm in West Australia and it is about 30 to 40 Degrees Celcius here everyday so the best thing is for me to go Diving here. The water temp is about 23 deg celcius. I think it would be beter that sombody from your area would explain and told you where to go, I could not tell you where the best instructers are, or shops to get the best deal for your instructions. Cheers Harry See you Down under :) --- Maximus/2 3.01 * Origin: OziWest BBs Perth W.A. MultiLine 61-[09-458-1255] (3:690/416) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 186 SCUBA Ref: E2T00010 Date: 02/18/97 From: HARRY OLDENHUIS Time: 11:22pm \/To: ALL SCUBA (Read 1 times) Subj: Name Hi all fellow Scuba divers. I wonder if sombody could help me, I'm looking for a good name for a Scuba shop etc If you think you saw a good name please let me know. I need something starting with the letter A That would allow you first in the Phone Book. The project I'm looking at would take me about 2 jears to complete as I have a lot of red tape to go trough before I could get it of the ground. Cheers Harry --- Maximus/2 3.01 * Origin: OziWest BBs Perth W.A. MultiLine 61-[09-458-1255] (3:690/416) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 186 SCUBA Ref: E2T00011 Date: 02/21/97 From: TODD JASPERS Time: 04:17pm \/To: HARRY OLDENHUIS (Read 1 times) Subj: What's New -> I would like to help you, But I'm in West Australia and it is about -> 30 to 40 Degrees Celcius here everyday so the best thing is for me -> to go Diving here. -> The water temp is about 23 deg celcius. -> -> I think it would be beter that sombody from your area would explain -> and told you where to go, I could not tell you where the best -> instructers are, or shops to get the best deal for your instructions. . oh thanks, i have gotten lots of help from this echo... --- InterEcho 1.19 * Origin: Law Enforcement Computer Network - (954) 430-7300 (1:369/20)