Any divers here?

Considering a new hobby, or at least the possibility of learning a new trick during my next vacation.

Some colleagues just went diving in the Philippines and I've been inspired by the photos.

Any divers here? I'm poking around at some learn-to sites and don't really know what kind of questions to ask.

There seems to be a couple of courses; a half-day "intro" and a three-day open water that can lead up to more certifications.

Any guidance on what to look for, where to go, what to ask? I found this: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/australia/travel-tips-and-articles/77736 on cool places to learn, but I don't know what kind of information I need to compare.

 

I got certified many moons ago, although I no longer dive.

I did a standard class. One a week for xxx numbers of weeks in an indoor facility that culminated with an in-water test (in a pool specifically constructed for diving), plus an actual test. Then did my cert dives in the islands. You want to make sure you're working with a PADI or SSI facility. I would go one step farther and make sure the instructor has years and years of experience in not just diving, but as an instructor.

 

To get certified you have to take an actual class. Those half day things will allow you to go out for a day supervised with whoever trained you, so it might be a good way to see if you like it, but that is not an actual certification.

And diving is awesome, you should give it a try.

 

I've done SNUBA twice and liked it a lot.

 

There are a couple of PADI-certified places a short hop from me. I figure it would be a pricey thing to do, but I you can just rent the equipment, right? That would be included in the lesson rates? I haven't done the conversions to USD to figure out how much they cost.

Ear issues hadn't crossed my mind. That's kind of freaky. I really don't know much about it but I was looking for something to do while on vacation in April. I haven't determined the destination, so I could pick a spot.

His Philippines photos were just utterly fantastic.

 

I had to buy a mask, snorkel and fins for class. They provided everything else. Get fins that don't need boots. Dive boots suck.

And diving is awesome.

 

When I was in the Navy, I took PADI classes and was certified. I had all my own gear, the whole nine yards. I have dived all over the Caribbean. Diving is awesome. In the Caribbean, take Vanilla Wafers with you. Fish love them. Anyway, when I got out and came home, I went once in one of the local lakes. The visibility was about 12 inches. I came up, went straight to the only dive shop in the region and sold all my stuff. I haven't been since. That was 20 years ago, and I miss the heck out of it.

 

Just a muff diver here.
<img src="http://cdn.mos.totalfilm.com/images/k/kingpin-1996--04.jpg">

 

I'll echo what others have said. Take a class and get certified. Look at the cost of the class and the cost of a snorkel, mask and fins to see if its affordable. In addition to PADI also look for NAUI instructors / classes.

One other thing - never dive in the ocean alone. Always with a buddy. However, once you have your snorkel mask and fins - do some fresh water snorkeling in local ponds and lakes. You'll be surprised how beautiful it is.

 

I'm certified, although I haven't been in ages...