View Full Version : Learning to Scuba Dive
Anyone done this in or around the Orlando area?
Any experiences/recommendations?
Do not know anyone in the Orlando area but our son learnt to dive at University of Maimi with Underwater Unlimited, Coral Gables. This is a family run business started in 1964 by the present owner's father both of whom are highly qualified dive instructors and teach the university students who need to dive for their degrees.
florida4sun
09-08-2011, 13:09
I learnt to dive in a sink hole near in the Sanford area, they were excellent, crystal clear spring fed water, lots of alligator Gar fish (not dangerous but look it!!). All instructors have to be qualified, licensed and insured. It was all very safe, fun and effortless at the time i would say I was reasonably fit and did not find it gruelling, some effort is required but I loved it. Go for the Padi open water cert, I paid around $150 some years ago, If you have time go for the advanced open water cert.
The best is joining a group to go catch lobster when in season, came home with bucket fills one day. Sadly I did nowhere near the amount of diving I would have liked to. Obviously once qualified don't go off diving on your own, always with a well organised group, of which there are many in Florida. That said it can be dangerous hobby and not one to push the limits. cave diving was a big no for me, that is where folks get into trouble the most.
florida4sun
09-08-2011, 14:18
Also, if you want to just give it a go, there are folks who will come to your pool and give you a trial session. Pnce again I cannot find a link so they may have stopped this.
I have no information on this, in as much as it relates to Orlando.
However, I often find it curious when I see 'learn to scuba dive' signs in various tourist areas. I wonder if these providers have the proper insurance cover. Diving is a notoriously dangerous pastime.
I once did this as a hobby and it is not something you could learn on a casual basis on holiday. It is very gruelling and requires huge dedication, training and not least personal fitness. The process you go through - even in the local swimming pool - before you are allowed to dive, is very demanding. There is significant time and effort spent in teaching the safety routines and the theory of water and air pressure. It is no cakewalk.
By all means snorkel around the various bays and you will be amazed at what you see down there - it's a different world. But be very careful before you strap on weights and scuba gear and dive into the sea. If you don't know what you are doing, the outcome could be catastrophic.
If you ensure that any dive centre is PADI-affiliated (or BSAC in the UK) then you won't go far wrong, as PADI is an internationally accepted qualification.
I do agree that it is very demanding though. My wife and I did the PADI Open Water qualification in the Maldives a couple of years ago, and it took a full 5 days. And by "full" I mean exactly that - classroom theory every morning, practical classes every afternoon and homework every evening. The qualification consists of a very intensive theory exam followed by a full practical exam in the water. I am extremely glad we did it during the first week of a 2-week vacation because we were both completely exhausted at the end of it!
mmmmh - I think I may investigate the options of doing it locally and then be able to do some dives when we are down.
Thanks for the advice, you good people.
mmmmh - I think I may investigate the options of doing it locally and then be able to do some dives when we are down.
Thanks for the advice, you good people.
That would make more sense otherwise you will lose time on theory when you could be out enjoying yourself. There are a lot of places which run dive trips and have access to those in the keys as well