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David from Jackson Heights NY | Scuba Diver
#433


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I am certified (PADI Open Water; 6/22/2013) for scuba diving. My open water dives were completed off the beaches of Long Island. I would like to continue to dive in the tri-state NY area to further my scuba skills. I am looking for scuba buddies who are open to having a profile like me to be part of the team.

9/21/2013 Update: Just got certified for Nitrox!

10/26/2013 Update: Just got my AOW!

6/22/2014 Update: Just got my certification for Peak Performance Buoyancy!

7/3/2015 Update: Just got my drysuit certification!

Comments
David_A - 5/11/2016 12:27 AM
I made a 100% on the following quiz:
Enriched Air Nitrox (EANx) Scuba Quiz
AnninNYC - 8/12/2013 4:14 AM
By the way, I think it’s really smart to do all this local diving, especially when practicing a set of skills. I did about ten dives (shore dives in P.R., where I was certified). Then I went to Wakatobi in Sulawesi and dived. Fierce currents, even dangerous down currents. Water in the upper 70s. Deep wall diving. I had to get a private instructor for a day or I would never have been able to do it. Also, my BCD, with integrated weights, kept dropping its own weights, and my fins were too big. The shop where I was fitted for this equipment exchanged it all when I got home. But I think testing myself and my gear in a lower-stake situation would have been preferable. On the other hand, I had the time of my life there. We partied at the jetty bar, danced, told jokes...amazing trip for which I was woefully inexperienced.

I dive for the adventure travel and above-water lunacy as much as for diving itself. I am starting to gather that that is a female attitude. Men are much more focused about diving. In general. There are exceptions of course! I’ve stopped going on group trips partly for the reason that you’re stuck with a bonded group and it’s hard to escape without being rude.
David_A - 8/15/2013 10:21 AM
Thanks! If I conquer the Northeast, I can do well in the Carribean!
AnninNYC - 8/15/2013 12:11 PM
The Carribean is easy diving for sure, and the salt water is a plus, too. You’ll be fierce there!
AnninNYC - 8/12/2013 3:20 AM
I think CT would be way too cold for me. I used everything I own for protection in 80-degree water. We did a few dives in 75-degree water this summer and I could only do two a day because of the cold. Even the Florida keys are a little chilly for me. I either have to invest in a lot more gear or skip the cold dives. I guess if there were something really bizarre to see, I’d rent a dry suit, but I have no dry suit experience.

How do you gear up for that kind of dive?

I’m going to take sailing lessons over Labor Day weekend in Manhattan. I figure when I can’t go south, I’ll still get to be on the water.

I heard that there is a location in Canada that actually gets quite warm.

I have never been to Dutch Springs. I know lots of people who dive there, but I honestly think I’d be miserable in that temperature water. I was cold in Sipidan (84- degrees/long dives). Oh we’ll! Know thyself, right? Enjoy the adventure!
David_A - 8/15/2013 10:19 AM
Hi Ann - Wow! You really get cold. I have a 7mm (hood, boots and gloves included) and found it to be great for local diving including Dutch Springs. I do admit that it takes time to get used to the cold water but local diving can be very helpful to furthering your skills. Try it!
David_A - 8/11/2013 9:00 PM
I made a 100% on the following quiz:
Scuba Diving Quiz - Just the Basics Part 1
NYC-Derek - 8/13/2013 5:03 PM
Great job, are you prepping for the AOW test?
David_A - 8/15/2013 10:16 AM
Hi Derek, yes I am preparing. I was thinking of taking it in late September/early October.
David_A - 8/11/2013 8:52 PM
I made a 100% on the following quiz:
Scuba Diver Refresher - Quick Review
AnninNYC - 8/08/2013 6:09 AM
I am not a fan of cold-water diving. I’m in a 5 mm with a hood in 80-degree water. It’s very hard for me to stay warm. But I do take a lot of trips, some relatively near by. I just got back from Indonesia...not that close! Next year, though, I’m thinking of going back to Little Cayman (very easy diving) for the fourth time and staying at the Southern Cross Club. Also considering a late-summer, 2014, trip to either Turneffe Island Lodge (Belize) where I’ve been 3 times before, Cozumel, where I’ve dived only once, or Bonaire never dived there. I’ve also dived in Key West and Puerto Rico (Aguadilla end). I recently went to Grand Turk, which was also interesting, though not my favorite.


I’ve done almost 200 dives, and still use the hose dump, Peter from NJ! ;-)



Wishing you the best with this wonderful interest. Congratulations on getting certified!



Ann
David_A - 8/11/2013 8:14 PM
Hi Ann...Thanks for the add to the buddy list and note. Wow, you really have great experience and look forward to I completing my 200 dive. Have you been to Dutch Springs? I met a great dive buddy on this forum and completed a Dutch Springs trip. In a couple of weeks, we are heading to Brownstone Quarry in CT. If you have an interest, let me know. I actually fell in love with Scuba in the Cayman Islands and look forward to getting some dives in. Thanks for the congratulations! Working in Manhattan too makes it complicated to dive but Northeast diving can be fun! Stay in touch! David
Peter-EH-NJ - 7/16/2013 12:42 PM
Congratulations. Wow, now you have the open road ahead. And, the atlantic ocean. It must have been a challenge to get certified on the beaches of Long Island. Great. I used to swim off the coast of Long Island, many years ago. 1982-1987 (about). Loved swimming without any lifeguards around to whistle and tell me to get back to shore. Now, things have changed. Parking costs a lot of money. Anyway, I loved swimming in Long Island.


I started to get back to loving the ocean, with Scuba Diving. I got my certification in 2011, at Dutch Springs, PA. This quarry has park picnic tables, toilets, showers, parking, air fill station, etc. It gets very busy on Saturday and Sunday, full of divers, and barbeque chefs, cooking up a storm. Too much distraction for me.


I try to be honest to my skills and gear abilities. I am still learning things required on Basic Scuba. Like blowing out air from the BC using the dump valves, and not relying on the hose dump. All with practice. Nothing beats practice. If you are true to the task, if you are honest as to what you can and cannot do, then you will have a great time. You will be a safe diver. Honesty is the first step. Good luck.
David_A - 7/16/2013 2:38 PM
Thanks Peter for the words and the note. Yes, diving in Long Island has it challenges but I am confidence that by starting off on Long Island (limited visibility, currents, etc) put me on the right track. I am looking to complete a dive at Dutch Springs soon. Looking forward to sharing experiences.
WanderingTurtle - 7/09/2013 4:36 AM
Welcome David!

Dutch Springs in Bethlehem, PA is an excellent training grounds for newbies like you and I. You should check it out. I have yet to dive NY but is looking forward to it this season.
Greg - 7/09/2013 6:38 AM
Here is a link to Dutch Springs on DiveBuddy: http://www.divebuddy.com/divesite.aspx?DiveSiteID=1215
David_A - 7/11/2013 2:29 PM
Thanks Carolyn! I appreciate the note. I would love to get out to Dutch Springs soon. Need a dive buddy who is tolerant of my novice status! Long Island has some good dive sites and I am sure you will enjoy them!
David_A - 7/14/2013 1:26 PM
Thanks Greg for the Link! By the way, you have done an amazing job on this website!
dmellett - 7/06/2013 3:40 AM
Welcome aboard - I love to see new local divers - stay in touch, I am available for questions, advice, and local DIVING!!!
David_A - 7/06/2013 7:44 AM
Hi Denis - Thanks for the note. I got certified last month and it looks like I will be doing NYC dives for the summer. Any suggestions on dive sites for novices?
dmellett - 7/06/2013 8:54 AM
Since I am on LI, not especially familiar with NYC sites we do use Beach 8th St in Rockaway for check-outs, and it makes for a nice little dive, but must be done at slack tide
David_A - 7/06/2013 9:19 PM
Denis, I also drive to Long Island (did my open water dives on Prybil Beach and Oak Beach). Additional dive sites are helpful! Thanks!