48 replies to this topic

[Fordan]

I had totally spaced out on the discover scuba class. I think that might be a good step. I'd love to have him try it in the Carib but that's a bit of a financial commitment and he's not the type to be happy laying on the beach all day if it doesn't appeal to him.

While this doesn't help with the financial commitment, why not pick a destination that has more than beaches to offer? Florida has stuff to do that isn't beaches, and someplace like Cancun is supposed to have interesting nightlife and such as well as being not too far from Mayan ruins. Can't speak personally about this since I've never been to Cancun. Every time I look to head that way, I always seem to end up in Cozumel, but Cozumel has a bit less to offer a non-diver.

[lynnlchan]

I had totally spaced out on the discover scuba class. I think that might be a good step. I'd love to have him try it in the Carib but that's a bit of a financial commitment and he's not the type to be happy laying on the beach all day if it doesn't appeal to him.

While this doesn't help with the financial commitment, why not pick a destination that has more than beaches to offer? Florida has stuff to do that isn't beaches, and someplace like Cancun is supposed to have interesting nightlife and such as well as being not too far from Mayan ruins. Can't speak personally about this since I've never been to Cancun. Every time I look to head that way, I always seem to end up in Cozumel, but Cozumel has a bit less to offer a non-diver.

Doesn't the diving in Cancun suck? (I've never dove there, have spent a long weekend there). What other easy (no long plane rides) to get to destinations offer good diving and other interesting activities? What about closer down by Playa del Carmen or Isla Mujeres? I like diving Cozumel but it's a bit too commercial (for me). And you're right, short of hitting the beach bar on the other side of the island or Senior Frogs - there's not a lot for the potential non-diver to do.

[KeithT4U]

Florida is one of the best places to go IMO. There are lots of day trips that you can take. Snorkeling with the manatees, swamp boat ride, the Disney mega complex, Kennedy Space Center. Pick an activity and it is there. I know there are lots of great dive ops but the one I had experience with is ProDive in Ft. Lauderdale that does a snorkeling trip in the morning and a 2 tank boat dive in the afternoon. Southern California has lots to do as well but the diving is cold and gets a little harder to convince others to jump into 50 degree water to look at fish. Catalina Island has a dive park, casino and wild animals. These are a couple that come to mind.


Keith

[DiverBabs]

I thought maybe you just didn't have time to be married after you learned to dive. You seem to have a crazy passion for the sport.

What I'm picking up from everyone is that communication is key and they have to have a desire to do it.

No there was time, but I did get bit by the Dive Bug... way more than he did. He still occasionally borrows my gear though.

Yes, desire is key... you can't MAKE someone like/love diving. But if there is an interest, by all means... I'll back it up!

Good Luck!

[MNJoe]

Hi Lynn,

You have stated that a SO has expressed interest. With that being said, getting them to a Discover SCUBA will take them from I would like to try it, to I did try it and they can make the decision to continue on from there. It may also tell you if they are saying they want to try SCUBA to apease you or if they really want to try it because they have an interest in SCUBA.

Good Luck,

Keith

Hey Keith, how are you?!

I had totally spaced out on the discover scuba class. I think that might be a good step. I'd love to have him try it in the Carib but that's a bit of a financial commitment and he's not the type to be happy laying on the beach all day if it doesn't appeal to him.

Lynn,

Things are going well down here, how are things in the cities?

I wasn't even thinking as far as going to a destination for the discover SCUBA dive. Take hime to a dive shop and let him try it in a pool. This should be enough for him to see if he wants to pursue SCUBA. Maybe he will have issues clearing his ears or sinuses, maybe he will feel claustraphobic, maybe he will have an issue trying to breathe with his face in the water. All of these things seem trivial to us as divers, but to a non-diver they can be a big hurdle. If the discover SCUBA doesn't go well, you won't have wasted vacation time and money on it.

Good Luck,

Keith

[Dive_Girl]

Hi Lynn,

You have stated that a SO has expressed interest. With that being said, getting them to a Discover SCUBA will take them from I would like to try it, to I did try it and they can make the decision to continue on from there. It may also tell you if they are saying they want to try SCUBA to apease you or if they really want to try it because they have an interest in SCUBA.

Good Luck,

Keith

I had totally spaced out on the discover scuba class. I think that might be a good step. I'd love to have him try it in the Carib but that's a bit of a financial commitment and he's not the type to be happy laying on the beach all day if it doesn't appeal to him.

I wasn't even thinking as far as going to a destination for the discover SCUBA dive. Take hime to a dive shop and let him try it in a pool. This should be enough for him to see if he wants to pursue SCUBA. Maybe he will have issues clearing his ears or sinuses, maybe he will feel claustraphobic, maybe he will have an issue trying to breathe with his face in the water. All of these things seem trivial to us as divers, but to a non-diver they can be a big hurdle. If the discover SCUBA doesn't go well, you won't have wasted vacation time and money on it.

This is exactly what I was going to suggest as well, a Discover Scuba experience at a local shop. This is what I recommend and offer to those in your position, SO or family member the diver is unsure will be interested. Discover Scuba allows people to make a decision with no pressure or pre-committment.

While I offer it for free at my dive shop, those that do not still typically do it for a nominal fee ranging aroung $25. Not too much of an investment for a 1-2 hour experience. Depending on your relationship, you could either sit out or join in.

Let us know what you decide and how it goes!

[shadragon]

I guess you probably won't like my answer of "If you don't dive - Hit the Road Jack!".

...or Jill...

I could live with someone who did not dive, but having a c-card in her pocket makes her just a little more attractive than the rest.

[WreckWench]

I guess you probably won't like my answer of "If you don't dive - Hit the Road Jack!".

If it works for you...

Sometimes you just gotta decide what is MOST important to you. In my case I was in the same boat at Damselfish. But that is after trying out LOTS of relationships with non-divers only to have them complain every time I went on a trip and try to figure out which guy was I sleeping with etc. It got old for me quickly. Plus I could not share the things I love the most with them.

However this is the exception and not the rule. Most people do need to contend with non-diving s/o's. I just hope that they enjoy the sport if you are passionate about it.

[georoc01]

Hi Lynn,

You have stated that a SO has expressed interest. With that being said, getting them to a Discover SCUBA will take them from I would like to try it, to I did try it and they can make the decision to continue on from there. It may also tell you if they are saying they want to try SCUBA to apease you or if they really want to try it because they have an interest in SCUBA.

Good Luck,

Keith

I had totally spaced out on the discover scuba class. I think that might be a good step. I'd love to have him try it in the Carib but that's a bit of a financial commitment and he's not the type to be happy laying on the beach all day if it doesn't appeal to him.

I wasn't even thinking as far as going to a destination for the discover SCUBA dive. Take hime to a dive shop and let him try it in a pool. This should be enough for him to see if he wants to pursue SCUBA. Maybe he will have issues clearing his ears or sinuses, maybe he will feel claustraphobic, maybe he will have an issue trying to breathe with his face in the water. All of these things seem trivial to us as divers, but to a non-diver they can be a big hurdle. If the discover SCUBA doesn't go well, you won't have wasted vacation time and money on it.

This is exactly what I was going to suggest as well, a Discover Scuba experience at a local shop. This is what I recommend and offer to those in your position, SO or family member the diver is unsure will be interested. Discover Scuba allows people to make a decision with no pressure or pre-committment.

While I offer it for free at my dive shop, those that do not still typically do it for a nominal fee ranging aroung $25. Not too much of an investment for a 1-2 hour experience. Depending on your relationship, you could either sit out or join in.

Let us know what you decide and how it goes!

My LDS last February gave away free Valentines discovery dive certificates to give to loved ones to give them an attempt to try. Unfortunately it didn't work for me, but I thought it was a neat way for people to get their S.O.s to try diving.

[timalso]

WW, Damsel you women are tough

tim

[pmarie]

I know there are lots of great dive ops but the one I had experience with is ProDive in Ft. Lauderdale

Pro-Dive closed it's doors. I'm not sure when or why. However, there are a lot of options in Florida and there are a variety of ops, types of dives, and experience levels that can accomodate a broad range and still have plenty of other activities.

As for the SO, either they want to or not; one person cannot make that choice and I would not want someone to feel obliged to dive just because I do. Just as I would not involve myself in a hobby to garner attention from someone else. I'm right there with a lot of people; that C-card certainly puts someone ahead of the rest of the group. I am really rather passionate about the diving and would rather share my experiences instead of explain them.

[damselfish]

Well I've waisted a lot of time pretending to be interested in watching golf and horse shows with people who were happy to spend a lot of time and money on their hobbies and shared no interest of mine and wouldn't meet me halfway.
I plan to spend a lot of time traveling to the islands and Mexico in my next thirty years! .

[Mitch0129]

I plan to spend a lot of time traveling to the islands and Mexico in my next thirty years! .

Sounds like a great idea to write a country song about!

[damselfish]

lol. Now it's time to focas in on where I go from here. Lord have mercy on my next thirty years!

[lynnlchan]

Well I've waisted a lot of time pretending to be interested in watching golf and horse shows with people who were happy to spend a lot of time and money on their hobbies and shared no interest of mine and wouldn't meet me halfway.
I plan to spend a lot of time traveling to the islands and Mexico in my next thirty years! .

Taking interest in someone else's hobbies shows you're a very giving person. The problem comes in when it's one sided. I'm willing to bet it wasn't the only issue. If he wasn't paying attention to your interests, he probably wasn't paying much attention to a lot of things. On the up side, now you know what to avoid.