Getting My PADI Certification

Thats right, I figured...California = cold water, Hawai'i = warm water...get scuba certified! Soon I will be able to take cool under water pics hah...once I get some underwater housing that is.

 

That's great. I got Certified in 1988 by NAUI. I don't dive as much as I used to (I was a NOAA certified research diver in college), but I do get in the water at least once a year. In fact, last week I went diving in the Living Seas at EPCOT in Orlando. It was great, a 40 minute dive in a 6 million gallon aquarium!

 

Whoa...that sounds awsome. Yup, I hope I can cram enough studying for chem and scuba hah.

 

I got PADI certified in Bali, Indonesia - warm water, marvelous reefs and "cheap"

Live in PNW where the water is cold, visibility is poor and the fish are ugly.

Have been back to Indonesia 4 times now just for the diving. Think I have worn it out, and will do the Red Sea again when finances allow it. - Went diving in Hurgada, Egypt about 5 years ago - and still dream about it.

One thing about diving, is that the brain cannot absorb or comprehend all you see each time. But it keeps demanding more, more, more for the rest of your life.

Nothing like diving in that "6 gazillion" gallon aquarium.

 

That is so true!!!
I got PADI certified back in 1993. I used to dive alot off the Marquesas Keys and John Pennekamp Coral Reef SP in Florida. LOL...you learn to slowly sulk back down and swim sideways when you come up over a ledge and find Cuda staring you down! Still remember the "Giant Fan" Coral in the "Garden" at Pennekamp...Definitely Awe inspiring8)

 

Yeah, the Living Seas is a must do for any diver that goes to Orlando. If you are a cretified diver, all you have to do is make a reservation in advance. They (Disney) provides all of the gear, etc. Its kind of expensive, but well worth it. It's $140 for the dive, but that includes everything. Also they have a 10% discount for NAUI or PADI divers, but you have to ask for it. If you are interested google EPCOT Dive Quest and you will get some links. Or call 407-WDISNEY for reservations.

I sound like a commercial don't I??

 

Another Diver here.
Experiences are in St. Lucia and Hawaii as I just got certified a few months ago.

 

I haven't been diving for years and years. Last place I dove was the Great Barrier Reef about 4 years ago. What I wouldn't have done for an underwater camera back then!

 

I think what each of us do, who have experienced a natural reef first hand, is try to make a little piece of it at home, so we can enjoy a part of it every day. And helps satisfy the urge to return, until we can.

 

Omard, I believe your right on!
Even though I have kept mostly freshwater tanks recently theres always that urge to recreate a piece of my memories from diving.
I think the most beneficial piece of my experiences diving was brought about from my instructor. He not only taught the needed skills but did what he could to have his students gain a deeper appreciation of the enviroment.
One of my first dives he actually had me take down a large picture frame, hold it as still as possible, then simply watch what happened inside that area. At first everything was completely still except for the flow of water...then it truely came alive! Small fish and creatures started coming out and moving around and it is still one of my best memories of diving yet to date! I often think about that time when looking at one of my aquariums and smile bigtime