My to do list

[Mr. Ed]

Skills to master include finning, controlled ascents and descents, and buoyancy.

Not yet attempted but need to be done include are snorkel clearing, snorkel/regulator exchange, maskless swim, BCD removal at surface, BCD removal at depth, alternate air source with a buddy, hovering and controlled swimming ascent. I completed these skills in 2020 with a different training organization. I was offered a PADI scuba diver certification with the stipulation to dive only with professional divers & trainers which would restrict many diving opportunities.

I ended training with my former trainer and I started training at a different PADI dive center until gall bladder removal surgery forced me to resume training in May of the following year. When May 2021 arrived I was to quickly demonstrate my diving skills and become open water certified. The problem was after an extended period of time of having no practice I forgot everything I learned the year before.

I started over, this time with SDI | TDI | ERDI | PFI scuba organization. I had to buy a new BCD because my old one was too big for me. Other purchases included a new scuba mask with correctional lenses, dry suit boots, I lost one of the boots, so I stopped the manufacturing of a fitted dry suit in time to have dry suit boots included with custom made dry suit that will be available sometime in December.

Most likely, it will take 3 more pool session and at least 4 open water sessions to complete open water certification. I have completed eLearning modules for open water, dry suit and Nitrox computer certifications.

 

[HoneyNut]

Wow, that sounds challenging and fun. Is it expensive to get a scuba mask with correctional lenses?

 

[Mr. Ed]

I’m having new lenses made through the dive shop I’m being trained by, I don’t know the cost yet. My custom fitted drysuit is complete, don’t know when it will be available to me.

Once I complete open water certification, the next step is to purchase two steel air cylinders plus valves. Steel cylinders are smaller, durable and last longer than aluminum air cylinders when properly cared for, but the initial costs are higher than aluminum cylinders.

Buying and owning scuba gear is expensive. The alternative is renting your gear from a scuba diving shop but there is no guarantee the shop will have your size or the type of gear that is best suited for you. Owning your gear is less hassle and more reliable than renting.

I like the technical aspect of scuba diving, to have a good dive everything must be precise from the amount of weight/balance to the position of your air cylinder, if too high, causes feet/legs to rise, too low pushes head upward. Neither is ideal, best trim is level equal.

Most scuba diver wear protective outerwear, usually a wetsuit or a dry suit. I chose dry suit over wetsuit for cold water diving. Having your own scuba gear is only part of it. You need to transport gear to local and international dive locations, for that you need a sturdy dry box large enough house all your gear. I invested in a Pelican Storm dry box.

The kicker is all of my diving experience is limited to the YMCA pool. Here I am in full gear with no guarantee of diving in open water..

 

[bowmore]

My hat is off to you. many years ago, I took an introductory dive in the Red Sea near Eilath. I tried again in Tahiti, but I had a problem equalizing my ears.

 

[Mr. Ed]

I tried again in Tahiti, but I had a problem equalizing my ears.

Equalization is an absolute necessity. I had trouble equalizing at first but once I learned how it was a piece of cake. It was helpful to practice out of the water before needing to equalize underwater.