Dive the Keys...

[clevalley (Premo)]

Thanks for the responses - I would like to get back into it - or at least try a dive again to see if my one ear clears... then plan a trip somewhere!

[Rael (Premo)]

We're going down to Key West this summer. I started looking into basic certification (which, of course they offer there). I've never done it before. I'm wondering if it is worth getting it if I'm only going to be there five days. May have to stick to snorkeling.

It does sounds like a lot of fun, though.

[Larry Gude (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Rael

We're going down to Key West this summer. I started looking into basic certification (which, of course they offer there). I've never done it before. I'm wondering if it is worth getting it if I'm only going to be there five days. May have to stick to snorkeling.

It does sounds like a lot of fun, though.

...it. It's not much more to get certified than it is to do a couple of dives.

[Rael (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Larry Gude

...it. It's not much more to get certified than it is to do a couple of dives.

Thanks, I will. I have a couple of HS buds that live there who should know the lay of the land (as far as business reputations). One of them went there 16 years ago with his wife on vacation, and they never came back. They marry people, run a photography business, and he captains a charter boat. What a life!

Can't wait to go! We've never been there. Any other advice from your time there this past winter?

[GWguy]

Originally Posted by Rael

We're going down to Key West this summer. I started looking into basic certification (which, of course they offer there). I've never done it before. I'm wondering if it is worth getting it if I'm only going to be there five days. May have to stick to snorkeling.

It does sounds like a lot of fun, though.

You have to have SOME kind of cert before a dive charter will take you out, whether it's a full cert, or a resort cert. If you don't plan on diving much, it's not worth the time or money for a regular cert. Be prepared tho, to spend an hour or two getting the resort cert in the keys before you actually go diving. They give you just enough info so you hopefully won't kill yourself.

[Rael (Premo)]

Originally Posted by GWguy

You have to have SOME kind of cert before a dive charter will take you out, whether it's a full cert, or a resort cert. If you don't plan on diving much, it's not worth the time or money for a regular cert. Be prepared tho, to spend an hour or two getting the resort cert in the keys before you actually go diving. They give you just enough info so you hopefully won't kill yourself.

A couple of hours doesn't sound too bad for a resort cert, hell, even if it took a whole morning or day. Less important to me is how long it takes for someone to say that I'm GTG with their piece of paper, than my feeling comfortable with doing it. I definitely don't look at even "amateur" diving as some kind of "no brainer" recreation. But I'm sure there are many who do.

Thanks for that.

[GWguy]

Originally Posted by Rael

A couple of hours doesn't sound too bad for a resort cert, hell, even if it took a whole morning or day. Less important to me is how long it takes for someone to say that I'm GTG with their piece of paper, than my feeling comfortable with doing it. I definitely don't look at even "amateur" diving as some kind of "no brainer" recreation. But I'm sure there are many who do.

Thanks for that.

I used to teach open water SCUBA. Back then (70's) there was no such thing as a resort cert, you either went thru the whole training course or didn't go diving. The resorts soon learned that they were losing money, so the concept of resort certification came about. For those that only wanted to experience it, it was fine. For others who loved, it, they then went on and got full certifications.

[Nanny Pam (Premo)]

[surfer1]

If you are looking for wreck diving amd beautiful clear water Morehead City NC has some of the best diving out there. Try this link. Fantastic crew. Very knowledgeable.

Diver Down Scuba Diving Charters - Captain Bobby Cox

[Rael (Premo)]

Originally Posted by GWguy

I used to teach open water SCUBA. Back then (70's) there was no such thing as a resort cert, you either went thru the whole training course or didn't go diving. The resorts soon learned that they were losing money, so the concept of resort certification came about. For those that only wanted to experience it, it was fine. For others who loved, it, they then went on and got full certifications.

Makes sense about the $$$, always does Good to know the resort cert is okay, too though. Thanks again, GW.

Originally Posted by Nanny Pam

Yes, it will be (if I understood you correctly) I've always liked to go places off season. Not because of price so much as minimizing the tourist factor.

Originally Posted by surfer1

If you are looking for wreck diving amd beautiful clear water Morehead City NC has some of the best diving out there. Try this link. Fantastic crew. Very knowledgeable.

Diver Down Scuba Diving Charters - Captain Bobby Cox

Thanks for the link.