SCUBA

[ChadTower]

Anyone here certified?  I'm thinking about looking into it...

[Zakk]

Most here are just certifiable.

[Jabba]

...rhymes with Tuba...

[Jabba]

Ohh, forgot to say, they're ripping your @rse out over at PP. Just thought you'd wanna know

[ChadTower]

So that's why I'm sitting funny today.

[markrvp]

Yes, I'm a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor.  I used to do a ton of diving before I got married.  My best trip was on the Okeanos Agressor at Cocos Island.  Diving with schools hammerhead sharks and several Manta Rays.

We used to go diving in Cozumel a bunch.  It's a really big bang for the buck, but the hurricanes beat the crap out of it.  Might not be good to go there for another year or so.

[ChadTower]

I've never legally done it...as in, been down, but not trained or certified, just explained by pro divers who where going down too.  Not too deep, either, but very cold.

I'd like to, but I don't have or want a boat, so not sure how limiting a factor that would be.

[Bones]

I've never legally done it...as in, been down,

I will PM you with Carl's contact details and perhaps this will all change.

[M3talhead]

I was NAUI certified at 15 (Jr. Cert). I havn't gone in years, but I'm thinking about getting recertified next summer. My best dive had to have been either the Grand Cayman Islands or off the coral shelf in Cozumel, Mexico.

[markrvp]

I've never legally done it...as in, been down, but not trained or certified, just explained by pro divers who where going down too.

[M3talhead]

I've never legally done it...as in, been down, but not trained or certified, just explained by pro divers who where going down too.  Not too deep, either, but very cold.

I'd like to, but I don't have or want a boat, so not sure how limiting a factor that would be.

Almost all the diving I do is with Dive Operations.  It usually costs in the neighborhood of $50-$100 for two tanks worth of diving.  They take you out to the dive spots on their boat and you use their tanks and weights.  Many dive operations also rent all the other equipment.

I don't like cold-water diving.  It's no fun if all you can think about is how badly you're freezing your ass off.  I like Caribbean diving where the water is 78-82 degrees.  Anything below 75 starts to get chilly.

The only difference is when you're diving in tropical waters, once you begin your ascent and break the 20ft mark, you feel like you're in bath water compared to the bottom. The temperature difference is so great at that depth you can feel the warmth in your face and still have your feet in the colder water. A very strange feeling.

[SOAPboy]

Anyone here certified?

[erictrumpet]

Two schools of thought:

You only live once, go for it!

or

You only live once, do you really want to die underwater? (<-my opinion)

All kidding aside I firmly believe in living your dreams, so if you are drawn to this activity, then totally go for it. Just be smart, learn how to do it safely, and rent the movie Open Water first.

Eric.

[markrvp]

and rent the movie Open Water first.

Awwww, come on.  That almost never happens 

[M3talhead]

and rent the movie Open Water first.

Awwww, come on.  That almost never happens 

He's Right. It's only happened to me TOPS....8 or 9 times.

[ChadTower]

What is drawing me to it at the moment is the possibility of volunteering at the Mystic Aquarium cleaning tanks and such...  somehow I want to be Deuce Bigalow.

[Harry Potter]

you just want to dress in tight rubber and not get arrested for it for a change.

[markrvp]

What is drawing me to it at the moment is the possibility of volunteering at the Mystic Aquarium cleaning tanks and such

That would actually be pretty cool.

[M3talhead]

you just want to dress in tight rubber and not get arrested for it for a change.

You dont need a certification for that....

[Quarters]

My dad is.. he enjoys it..

Not a cheap hobby tho

Are there cheap hobbies?

I've only been once, off Grand Caymen. Loved it! I plan to try it again When I go to Cuba in  Feb. Canadian waters don't sound like as much fun so I don't think it will turn into a serious hobby.

 

[ChadTower]

I really liked the cold water diving...

[Quarters]

I plan to get my PADI cert. next summer. If for nothing else it will allow me do do more interesting dives on vacations. I don't mind swimming in local waters so who knows....

[DrewKaree]

you just want to dress in tight rubber and not get arrested for it for a change.

That would actually be pretty cool.

My dad is.. he enjoys it..
 

Well, we KNEW Mark had his own little fetishes (kinda wish he'd keep 'em to himself though), but I'm not sure why Soapboy needed to tell us about his dad

[Harry Potter]

Drew must be the creative writer for Fox News.

[SOAPboy]

you just want to dress in tight rubber and not get arrested for it for a change.

That would actually be pretty cool.

My dad is.. he enjoys it..
 

Well, we KNEW Mark had his own little fetishes (kinda wish he'd keep 'em to himself though), but I'm not sure why Soapboy needed to tell us about his dad

GJ misquoting homostick..