Any divers here?

[KJIM]

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.

 

[Here me roar]

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.

 

[JakeandElwood]

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.

 

[Vombatus]

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

 

[MileHigh]

I got certified after my closest friend kept pestering me for years to do it. It's really incredible. Took the classes and went on a trip, but my ears got messed up -- which was my biggest fear and hesitation to do it (had ear problems as a kid).

Did a weeklong trip to Honduras with my friend and her husband. It was amazing. They were "meh," there are much better places. They've been all over the world to some amazing places.

I might do it again some time. The classes aren't bad -- two days on a weekend, then go do the dive certification. It's an expensive hobby, but I recommend it.

 

[KJIM]

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.

 

[Here me roar]

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.

 

[Shoeless Joe]

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.

 

[spikechiquet]

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

 

[micropolitan guy]

 

[Evil Bastard (aka Chris_L)]

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.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

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

 

[KJIM]

Taking the plunge! I did two "confined" dives today. "Confined" off this particular Philippine island means you wade into whatever the heck body of water it is and have at it.

So far, the scary part is losing the regulator. I have heard the whole "don't hold your breath" thing too many times, and I fumbled trying to find the damn thing and ran out of breath doing the "ahhh."

I had to take an hour ferry across some strait to get here, and looking down at the water, I kept thinking, "Now why would I want to just jump off the boat?"

Still don't know the answer to that and I have had some little panic attacks, but I am so far good to go. Slightly terrified, but good to go.

It is pretty down there, even in shallow waters. I'd never seen a live sea urchin before.

 

[JakeandElwood]

Awesome, KJIM! How deep did you go? When I was doing my cert dives they were in rivers in Florida. Day one was clear and beautiful. Day 2 had visibility so bad I could barely see four feet in front of me. Taking my mask off and putting it on in that muck was pretty ****ty.

 

[Sam Mills 51]

Where in the Philippines are you, KJIM?

My mother got PADI-certified many moons ago in Batangas, off the southwestern coast of Luzon.

 

[terrier]

Yes. Uncle Junior taught me how.

 

[KJIM]

I am at White Beach on Midiro (sp?), which is about an hour by high speed ferry from Batagas. I did my third dive today and my God, it's phenomenal.

We went to a shipwreck (think large jon boat, not yacht) and just hovered and held bread while the fish ate out of our hands. "Magical" was the only word I could come up with.

 

[Sam Mills 51]

Oh, you're down in the Visayas. We never left Luzon. At least you're on a solid-sized island among the 7,107 (at least that was the count a lot of years back).

I take it the typhoon didn't affect that area nearly as much as Tacloban and Leyte?

 

[BDC99]

I used to be able to do a mean Triple Lindy.

But seriously, folks. A good friend was into it for a time, but I never got certified despite his pestering. Too expensive a hobby for my blood. Would love to do it, but I think I would panic.

 

[KJIM]

Sebang Wreck, Giant clamshell and something else. I totally understand how people love this.

Where I was didn't seem to be affected by the latest storm; they said the rainy season would be starting now, though, and run until late summer. I have a three-day holiday in early October and might change my plans of visiting Nepal and just go back.

The Manila airport is horrible, though.