Congratulations, you have just successfully completed the open water portion of the course and your instructor will hand you a temporary open water certification card after you sign your name and date some final paper work several hundred times. It almost like handing you the keys to the old car after you get your drivers license. Now I can hit the road. But wait, there is more to this then being certified to dive.

 It’s called “a little experience.” Remember this is an entry level open water certificate. You and a buddy can dive, but you must remember that you have to stay within the limits of your training.  It’s like, “I know how to build a model air plane, so now I can fly it.” NO!! NO!! When diving you must stay within the limits of your training and experience. At this point slow is really best. 

 Now you and your buddy will start to put into action what your instructor has taught you about dive planning. It’s a good Ideal to invite someone with more experience and training then you have to help you along the way. Remember, you are just starting to dive; confidence is great but over confidence is dangerous. Choose a site and ask the dive shop about the location and what you should expect to encounter at this site. I would strongly suggest that as a new diver you join and dive with a club. Remember, most of these divers have logged a lot of dives and are a great source of information and they will keep you out of trouble.

  You really want to make your dives easy. By that I mean that you should choose a location that is easy to get to, ha easy entry, and an exit with a gentle slop that has no large drop off’s and  little current. The more you dive the more you become accustomed to the under water world and most of all your equipment. That is where you practice all the skills you were taught in the open water and gain the experience you need to continue your diving education.

 Also, you want to think about moving on in your diving education. It may be that your local college or Jr. College will accept your diving education as college credit. That is another benefit to scuba diving. After you have logged a bunch of dives and have decided to continue with your diving education, now is when you should start looking for the type of equipment you feel that you will be comfortable using. All scuba equipment is expensive and should be cared for properly. You can rent or buy. I like having my own equipment, cleaned and packed, and ready to go. That’s up to you. However, I would suggest that you have your own equipment. Your life depends on it. The shop that you received your instruction from will help you in your decision about your equipment. Once you have made a decision as to the direction you want to go in your diving education.

    Next Week, More Open Water   

© 02-16-2005