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Awwwwwwwww.....I thought this was another kind of diving!
Since I'm posted to Florida for the next few months I've decided to get back into diving (It's been 10 years since I got wet). I hooked up with the only shop around (SSI) and am getting their version of Advanced Open Water (Which includes a NITROX certification) and will make a few dives out here before I get back to San Antonio. Any comments into SSI's certifications?
Question: Since my old U.S. Divers Monitior 2 is kaput, any suggestions on a new computer that won't break the bank (Under $500) and any clubs to hook up with when I get back?
Awwwwwwwww.....I thought this was another kind of diving!
Great minds . . .Awwwwwwwww.....I thought this was another kind of diving!
Yeah, no kidding. At least when AHF made a thread with a similar le, he anticipated and addressed any potential perversion.
Hang in there, 1369. A real answer will no doubt be coming . . .
SSI is ok. I am PADI open water cert. I don't like nitrox cause if it's mixed wrong U die. I'll stick to good old polluted air. As far as the dive computer I have no idea. I use a Matrix Pro but that's like 8 years old.
I am PADI Deep Water Cert as is Mama hussker. I am not familiar with SSI, only PADI and NAUI. If you want to ask me some questions on NITROX and the different delivery percentage and risks, fire me an email at [email protected] I was a Dive Doc in the AF for a few yrs and as a diver, I also keep up with the literature. O2 toxicity os a real threat at 32 and 36 mixes but the REAL threat is to your equipment if you are not careful. We RARELY had DCS cases with Nitrox guys, and I only had one guy get DCS and he was TRI-MIX (though he filled his own tanks and it was tough to ascertain what his real PCT was in the mix). Most of the problems we had in Okinawa, Japan were stupid Marines going on 160 ft+ dives multiple, and then doing PT. They would get bent easily. Some would wait 5-7 days before presenting for a Table 6 dive in our chamber at Okinawa. Most of what we saw was Type I and Type II, but again, RARELY Nitrox divers. My opinion is...you get THAT much training, your awareness is MUCH higher!
Mama hussker and I have not been diving since 2002 when I went back to Okinawa on a mid tour from Korea. Mama likes to do her Underwater Photography, which means I get to play ranger rick and find the for her to take pics of while she conserves air! Anywho...fire me an email and I can give you some intel and a few links to people I know in the dive community from a global perspective.
Computers under 500? Dude, if you are going RECREATIONAL and RARELY (I call it RnR with my buds) rent a computer...
I like to take scuba pics as a hobby.
I like to take scuba pics as a hobby.
GREAT PICS VASH! Do not take this personally, but I hate you! I know what it is like to be the "picture place finder" and suck air!!!!!!
I have some buddies who found the USS Emmons off of Okinawa in 2000, and there were some serious DCS cases invlved with that. It was a great find and I am good friends with those that located it, but man...they had dudes doing wreck dives that were barely past their Open Water certification!!!! We raised the BS flag and I actually developed and taught a dive safety course from a medical perspective to the public. Had a sweet deal with the local dive shops owned by gaijins in Okinawa. I was free tow to dive sites in the Keramas because I was the Dive Doc and the shop owner used that in his spiel before we left the dock. He would always open with "Look at that man back there and remember him" He would do his thing and then have them look at me again and he would say "If you get stupid, you get to spend 6 hrs with him in a hyperbaric chamber". The schtick worked and we were safe!
I have not done dive medicine since. I love it!
Uh, yeah, slight exaggeration thereI don't like nitrox cause if it's mixed wrong U die.The only fatalities/dive injuries associated with Nitrox have been where idiots go too deep breathing it. And frankly, if you can't grasp the fact that oxygen toxicity can kill you if you go too deep on Nitrox, well, let's just say you deserve to win that Darwin award you're destined to get
I'm an assistant instructor for PADI. I'm not a big fan of SSI - any dive organization that endorses solo diving has one too many bubbles in their blood stream
Just find a good instructor and use common sense on everything. I'm jealous though, I'm trying to find time to get away and go dive the Spiegel Grove off Key Largo. of a dive from what I hear.
If you want the non-geek doctor (hussker) take on Nitrox, feel free to send me a PM.
Oh, as for picture time...
Yup at Brooks we had one of the worlds best chambers. I have no idea if it's still there they had talked about moving it to Wright Pat by taking it apart and putting it in a C5.
BTW, this is me on the left..
[QUOTE=Aggie Hoopsfan]Uh, yeah, slight exaggeration there
I'm an assistant instructor for PADI. I'm not a big fan of SSI - any dive organization that endorses solo diving has one too many bubbles in their blood stream
Just find a good instructor and use common sense on everything. I'm jealous though, I'm trying to find time to get away and go dive the Spiegel Grove off Key Largo. of a dive from what I hear.
If you want the non-geek doctor (hussker) take on Nitrox, feel free to send me a PM.
1) I agree, PADI is best
2) Thanks for the slap AHF
3) Great pics!!!
That looks like cozumel (last pic). Those others from Florida? Nice nudibranch.
We should go diving sometime.. Medina and Canyon been calling me.
Also I still would like to do Flower Gardens. I just don't know about reboarding in bad weather. With my bad back it could BEEP my up. But normally I can hand off the lead and most gear then reboard. Getting in is easy. I just inflate and toss gear in then put on in water.
BTW, this is me on the left..
DUDE! With your permission, send that to my email and I want Mama hussker (Japaggie) to download and frame that!
We have a pic of us from diving over the toilet in the guest bathroom. Male friends have come out and said..."Hey Jim, I feel like you and ChiChi were watching me pee." HAHAHA Chicks don't notice (but they are being watched.....hehehe)
jk, they aren't
Vash, all those are actually from the Bahamas.
As for the Flower Gardens, I think we discussed it on this forum last year, and I'm going to try and put together a ST Flower Gardens trip at some point this summer
Here's a teaser from the rigs...
hussker - just right click and download, that's full resolution (shark/Ag flag).
BTW, here's my desktop (same dive, all in Bahamas)...
And another of me...
If you're talking about Miami Fl go eat at "La Esquina de Tejas" it's a Cuban joint, real good food...
Yea Frogman's does rig trips right? I am pissed at fish right now, so I want to spear me a big SOW snapper to fill up my freezer.
SSI is actually VERY good. The controversial things about solo diving is handled by them in a very mature fashion and it's not something for the beginner/holiday diver but for some more extreme diving where it actually makes sense. There's an on going debate on the subject what is more dangerous a stupid buddy or solo diving. As someone who often has to dive with buddies I meet at the dive destination for the first time, I can definitely see some merits in solo diving (again for certain types of diving - holiday diving in easy spots is not an issue).
As for the Nitrox thing Vashner is exagerating it quite a bit. If you're afraid of the wrong mix you do what they teach you - you carry your own analyzer (I know I do). In repe ive dives situations at shallow deeps or as a safety stop gas on deeper dives Nitrox is a lot safer and seriously diminishes the risk of the bends. Of course it requires additional discipline and a little more logistics - but they teach you that and as anything in diving you are as safe as you yourself decide to be (adhere to the safety rules they taught you).
From what I've seen so far the level of the certification is often more depended on the quality of the instructor than the certification agency, If your instructor is competent and helps you get over any bits you may have problems with and you feel you understand everything that is said - you'll probably be OK.
I personally like suunto dive computers (the D6 is very very nice - but too expensive) and because of some new models appearing this year you could probably pick up a Stinger for a good price right now (I carry mine all the time instead of a watch), but the new Aladins are also quite affordable and very good.
My personal financial black hole: http://www.cikava.com/windward/KL_2k3.htm
http://www.cikava.com/windward/Piran_uw.htm
Well said
They can check the corner of your eye now for little bubbles. I went out on one dive in Cozumel in 2001 and 2 couple had stayed up till 5 AM drinking at the local gringo club (Charlies something). Anyway one couple was husband and wife. I guess she lost track of him. They found his body a week later all chewed up. The dive master didn't realize he was missing till we where surfacing. I stick to my partner like stink on man let me tell you. Sucks to have a bad / drunk partner.
Exactly!!!
I have a couple of horror stories about buddies that did everything in their powers to drown. You know you accept a certain level of resposabillity the moment you agree to dive with someone - there have actually been succesful lawsuit on the subject.
While I have no problem at holiday destination with easy dives (I know how to take care of rowdy/drunken/idiotic buddies (btw rookies are easy - usually a nice talk after the dive will take care of it)). But when doing more serious stuff (wrecks, deep dives, filming) I like to either have a buddy I know and trust or I make it clear to the dive master I'm not happy with the buddy assignment and just skip the dive.
Another thing that can be dangerous is buddies with faulty/dodgy equipment or bad setups. I spend a fair amount of time and money each year to maintain my equipment in top notch conditions, I expect the sam from whoever is in the water with me.
Thanks for all the input. The shop I'm working with also works with the local sherrif's SAR bunch, so I'm confident in them. I plan on making a Largo run and a few West Palm dives with them while I'm here, and hopefully will continue diving when I get back to S.A. If the Flower Garden run is going to happen after I get back (I'm thinking I'll be back sometime in June), I'd be interested.
Nice pics AHF, think I'll dust off my old Nikonos V and see if it still works.
1369: When do you plan to do the (Key?) Largo run?
AHF (and others): What are the best dives close to SA?
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