SCUBA DIVING & FREE DIVING (Album & Poll)

[Taiwarriorz21]

I would like to see how many people on the Hype are certified divers this includes NAUI and PADI Divers. How many people free dive as well.
Below are some pictures of My test-out dives in Panama City Beach, Florida during the weekend of August8-10,2008.

Me hangin out on the anchorline watching the baitfish surround the openwater bridgespan.

Michael going up the rope.

Baitfish at Bridge Span #2

Me

(left to right) me, deuce and michael in our wetsuits.

Seven Seas Diving Crew

 

[Nirvana]

I really want to get certified. I've been interested in diving for a few years now. Just need to find out which classes to take and whatnot.

 

[Taiwarriorz21]

On the rope looking down while deuce takes a picture.

(left to right) Michael, me and Scuba Steve.

Everyone going up after our dive.

Butch and His Wife

Deuce coming up.

Nitrox Divers

(left to right) Michael, me, and Scuba Steve

 

[Kelly]

I'm PADI certified "Open Water"

 

[Taiwarriorz21]

I really want to get certified. I've been interested in diving for a few years now. Just need to find out which classes to take and whatnot.

Go with the basic course OW1 Basic. Gears expensive I have yet to really buy everything I rent my Regulator and Tank.

 

[Doctor Evo]

I know this is quite a bump, but this topic is of great interest to me as of late. I just received my Scientific Diver Certification (AAUS), and I'll be diving just about every day this summer off Catalina Island and mainland CA (and the northern Channel Islands if I'm lucky) looking for my sharks.

Does anyone here have experience diving in those areas? What type of gear do you use? In particular, what kind of wetsuit do you prefer for different areas/climates?

 

[Hotwire]

Your pics aren't showing up.

I picked up my certification in Guam about 13 years ago. Sadly, I've since let it expire and haven't been diving since I left the island. Still, it was one of the most amazing experiences in my entire life!

 

[Doctor Evo]

Your pics aren't showing up.

Well, to be fair, they were uploaded about 6 years ago.

I picked up my certification in Guam about 13 years ago. Sadly, I've since let it expire and haven't been diving since I left the island. Still, it was one of the most amazing experiences in my entire life!

I hear that this is just about the best coral reef diving in the world. Have a friend who completed his master's degree there.

 

[Silvermoth]

I would love to do it one day! Perhaps in Fiji or Vanuatu

 

[KevanG]

Does a snorkel in six feet of water at the beach count?

 

[Doctor Evo]

Does a snorkel in six feet of water at the beach count?

Did you go completely below the surface, snorkel and all?

 

[KevanG]

Sometimes.

 

[Doctor Evo]

Sometimes.

Then sure, why not?

 

[Erzengel]

HAHAHAHAHAH!!!!

Taiwarriorz21.

The guy really into fishing, hunting, working out and being a ladies man.

 

[Doctor Evo]

Just had my first dive at Catalina Island. Wow! Lots of bat rays, and the kelp is insane! Didn't see any of my sharks, though. Only three more months to find them. I'll have pics later. Didn't bring my camera this time...waiting for visibility to improve.

 

[Doctor Evo]

From my afternoon dive at Big Fisherman's Cove, Santa Catalina Island, CA:

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[Doctor Evo]

More photos:

Got to swim with these guys (Leopard Sharks) recently...they ranged from about 2 feet to 6 feet in length. Must have been 70 of them in this small cove.

Here are some awesome pics of kelp forest:

And here are pics of the species I'm studying - Heterodontus francisci (the California Horn Shark). I found about 9 or 10 of these today, but was only able to get fin-clip from 6 of them. They're hard to catch (and I'm pretty much doing it by hand, lol).

They are adorable.

 

[Apollo]

Cool Photos. I would love to do that one day. By the Way. I doubt TaiWarriorz21 will respond.

 

[Dr.]

...I'll be diving just about every day this summer off Catalina Island and mainland CA (and the northern Channel Islands if I'm lucky) looking for my sharks.

Does anyone here have experience diving in those areas? What type of gear do you use? In particular, what kind of wetsuit do you prefer for different areas/climates?

I’ve never dived there. I assume the water is relatively warm; but some folks have mentioned it’s not that warm - and I get the impression that many dive dry.

 

[Doctor Evo]

I’ve never dived there. I assume the water is relatively warm; but some folks have mentioned it’s not that warm - and I get the impression that many dive dry.

So far the water temperature is hovering around 65 degrees Fahrenheit. I've got this two-piece wetsuit - I think it's a 7mm+7mm, but it's really, really old and probably compressed. But I really don't get cold that easily with it (and my 1mm hooded vest is working well, too).

I had brought my 5/4mm from Hawaii, but was advised against using it. And I have yet to see anyone diving with a drysuit. Then again, it's summer, and most of our dives are relatively shallow.

 

[Dr.]

So far the water temperature is hovering around 65 degrees Fahrenheit. I've got this two-piece wetsuit - I think it's a 7mm+7mm, but it's really, really old and probably compressed. But I really don't get cold that easily with it (and my 1mm hooded vest is working well, too).

I had brought my 5/4mm from Hawaii, but was advised against using it. And I have yet to see anyone diving with a drysuit. Then again, it's summer, and most of our dives are relatively shallow.

I once dived in the Bahamas when it was unseasonably cool - water temp. only 70°. We made do with our 3mm suits; but I noticed most of the guides were in 6mm. If you’re doing several dives a day or doing long dives, I suppose the chill catches up to you.

A dry suit would be comfortable in 65° water if you adjust the under-layers accordingly. But the nasty part is sealing yourself into the thing on the boat when the air temp. is +80°. Sauna.

 

[Doctor Evo]

I once dived in the Bahamas when it was unseasonably cool - water temp. only 70°. We made do with our 3mm suits; but I noticed most of the guides were in 6mm. If you’re doing several dives a day or doing long dives, I suppose the chill catches up to you.

A dry suit would be comfortable in 65° water if you adjust the under-layers accordingly. But the nasty part is sealing yourself into the thing on the boat when the air temp. is +80°. Sauna.

I can't even imagine. I never was trained to use drysuits, but if I stayed in the Pacific Northwest, it would probably have been worth my while!

I did my open water certification up there in a wetsuit (water must have been 50°). Forty minutes in I was shivering!

 

[Dr.]

I never was trained to use drysuits, but if I stayed in the Pacific Northwest, it would probably have been worth my while!

It’s actually fairly easy. Typically, you switch entirely to the suit for buoyance control - so you’re only dealing with one system - not juggling two. (The BC is only used for surface floatation.)

On the other hand, upgrading to dry is expensive. First there’s the suit, itself. Then you often have to purchase a new/larger BC and fins doh to accommodate your new bulkiness.

 

[Doctor Evo]

It’s actually fairly easy. Typically, you switch entirely to the suit for buoyance control - so you’re only dealing with one system - not juggling two. (The BC is only used for surface floatation.)

On the other hand, upgrading to dry is expensive. First there’s the suit, itself. Then you often have to purchase a new/larger BC and fins doh to accommodate your new bulkiness.

I could barely afford the gear I have now. I had to take out loans.

 

[Tanin]

On one hand I would love to be certified and go deep sea diving on the other hand I have Kenophobia.