Scuba Review

Hi Everyone,

I have a quick question. I'm headed to Maui in a few weeks for a family vacation, and I'm planning to do some dives while I'm out there (I'm the only diver in my family). It's been 6 months since I was certified (and since I last dove) so I want to do some type of review before I get back in the water. The dive shop I'm using offers an ocean dive called a scuba review where you go over your skills again at about 40ft. This seems more fun than doing a review in the pool, though the pool would provide more time for practice. I plan to do a thorough review of my textbook before my vacation too. What do you all think? Has anyone else pursued this option before?

A scuba review is great and you'll be with an instructor when you do your first ocean dives! Yet another plus! I would certainly review your books and then go to a local dive shop if you have time to practice putting gear on and off a tank so its not so foreign. Then you'll be perfectly set to do your ocean scuba review in Maui!

Hi Everyone,

I have a quick question. I'm headed to Maui in a few weeks for a family vacation, and I'm planning to do some dives while I'm out there (I'm the only diver in my family). It's been 6 months since I was certified (and since I last dove) so I want to do some type of review before I get back in the water. The dive shop I'm using offers an ocean dive called a scuba review where you go over your skills again at about 40ft. This seems more fun than doing a review in the pool, though the pool would provide more time for practice. I plan to do a thorough review of my textbook before my vacation too. What do you all think? Has anyone else pursued this option before?

I couldn't agree more...Also,the pool option might help checking your bouyancy out again.It never hurts to practice ahead of a trip.Equipment functions etc.I make it a rule...
itsa ,have a nice Relaxing trip.

Assuming you have dived in the sea and from a boat and feel confident in the water, I'd agree. If you feel less confident it might be an idea to start off in shallow sea (rather than a pool), and make sure your skills are up to scratch.

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I still have a few weeks before my trip but I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I still have a few weeks before my trip but I'll let you know how it goes.

You are most welcome! Its fun sharing knowledge and ideas with new divers! kamala

what part of Maui are you staying at? I've been diving there 3 or 4 times and there's a couple of shops I def recommend for boat diving

what part of Maui are you staying at? I've been diving there 3 or 4 times and there's a couple of shops I def recommend for boat diving

Hey FinGrabber,

I'm staying at the Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea. My uncle, who has also been to Maui a few times, suggested Prodiver and I had two good conversations with one of the DMs while I was making reservations. Have you heard of them before?

Actually, I think I've dove with them before...not positive since my ex made the reservations the first time we went out there

I've been out with Ed Robinson's, Extended Horizon's, B&B Scuba, and another one I can't remember the name of

all of these are really good ops

Great time to dive in Maui. The whales will be there, be sure to listen for them when you are diving, it is a magical experience.
I've also dove with Ed Robinson and I have a book on Maui that recommends Prodiver, would love to hear your experience with them.

Great time to dive in Maui. The whales will be there, be sure to listen for them when you are diving, it is a magical experience.
I've also dove with Ed Robinson and I have a book on Maui that recommends Prodiver, would love to hear your experience with them.

I'll be sure to let you know what I think about them. My uncle raved about his experience. I'm counting down the days til mid-January when we head out. Aside from diving I'm looking forward to having fruity drinks on the beach with my little sister!

I decided to do a scuba review at my LDS in addition to the ocean dive refresher in Maui. I tend to err on the cautious side. I'm really glad I did it. I loved my instructor and met fun classmates. I'm also feeling a lot more confident about my ocean dives. Thanks again for all of the advice.

I tend to err on the cautious side.

I wish everyone did. Good luck on your diving and send us lotsa pics and reports on your experiences.

Cheers.

S

Brenda, You should never feel guilty about being "cautious".I also just did a Drysuit review in the pool over the weekend.Since I lost all of 2010 diving with it .I had surgery on my shoulder & wasn't able to use it or the suit.I too was glad I practiced.I'm doing a Bonn Terre Mine Dive the 21st & 22nd of the Month.Being a spoiled Ocean diver,58 deg. is going to be coool.

Enjoy your trip....

Edited by Greg@ihpil, 09 January 2012 - 07:12 PM.

Hi Everyone,

I got back from Maui yesterday and I had a great trip! I had planned two days of diving with Prodiver. The first was supposed to be a shore dive, but unseasonably strong winds produced gigantic waves and that day of diving, which would have been my refresher, was cancelled.

I headed out for boat dive to Molokini the following morning. I think we saw about 6 whales on the way out, which was great. Our captain and DM were absolutely great. There were 5 divers, all of whom had less than 10 dives and they demonstrated how to use all of the equipment (like dive computers and integrated weights, which I hadn't used before). The plan was to dive to about 65ft and the DM would send people back up the line depending on their air.

On the way down I was having trouble clearing my right ear, but decided to ignore it despite the pain (totally stupid, I know). The topography inside the crater was really cool and there was a great variety of fish and coral. I even saw my first sharks in the wild! As RockyMountainWay mentioned it was possible to hear the whales under water. After about 40 minutes and the first two divers had ascended I realized my ears couldn't take it anymore so I went up too. I'll say that I was pretty happy with my air consumption and certainly could have stayed down longer if it weren't for my extreme discomfort.

When I surfaced I had an extreme bloody nose and I was pretty embarrassed. Just as we were at the point of deciding whether I'd have to go to the ER to have my nose packed, it finally stopped, ugh. While everyone else went down for their second dive I snorkled a portion of the crater that was close to the surface.

Looking back, I obviously wish I had done a slower and more calculated descent. I also wish I had informed my DM early on about the problem so I could have ascended some to try to fix the problem before the dive had really gotten underway. I guess you live and you learn. Thanks again everyone for all of the advice.

Take care,
Brenda