|
MSD FORUMS - BASIC SCUBA DISCUSSIONS |
|
TOPIC:
New Nitrox Diver
|
|
|
|
seawitch22
|
|
|
Joined on
8/6/2007
|
So I am getting certified as an advanced diver in January with also Nitrox so I have a few questions.
1. I know nothing about Nitrox but read it can make you feel like you're drunk. I don't feeling that way when I'm on the surface. What are the benefits and disadvantages of diving with Nitrox?
2. I want to change careers and get more involved with diving. How much certification do I need before looking for a job? I also plan on doing a CPR course this spring.
3. I wanted to go to the islands, St. Thomas being a first choice. Hammerhead, any openings?
|
|
|
|
seawitch22
|
|
|
Joined on
8/6/2007
|
i had another question which I forgot to mention earlier.
How is my equipment going to differ? What should I look for when buying a BC and regulator or is everything pretty much compatible with Nitrox?
|
|
|
|
Captain Dale
|
|
|
Joined on
3/31/2006
|
1. Narcosis is caused by the anesthetic properties of the gasses (primarily nitrogen) breathed under pressure. Nitrox is no more narcotic than air and probably is less so. You can not tell that you are breathing nitrox by how you feel. The advantages of nitrox diving are longer no-decompression bottom times and shorter surface intervals.
2. In order to work in the recreational dive field you need to be certified to the level of Dive Master as a minimum. At that level you will probably be able to work for tips. If you have an instructor certification you might be able to find a job that pays, but you will probably have a difficult time living on what you will make.
The only piece of equipment that is different for nitrox is your tank. Tanks must be oxygen cleaned if they are filled with nitrox using the most common mixing method - partial pressure mixing.
Dive safe,
Captain Dale Bennett
Charter Captain & Instructor Trainer
Open Water through Advanced Trimix
|
|
|
|
Dean810
|
|
|
Joined on
5/22/2006
|
Stop me if I'm wrong, but most people that are dive professionals use it as a second source of income, not their main gig.
Join the Chicago Scuba Meetup Group! http://scuba.meeup.com/105
|
|
|
|
hammerhead
|
|
|
Joined on
3/13/2006
|
well honestly, divemasters are a dime a dozen. If your serious about changing paths, then I would recomend an intensive program like Hall's in Marathon florida. get your instructor certs. then find a sponsering shop. It's a tough racket, but you can do it.
Q: What do you call a scuba instructor without a girlfreind??
A: HOMELESS!!!!
It's okay, just show us on the doll where the P.A.D.I. instructor touched you.
|
|
|
|
seawitch22
|
|
|
Joined on
8/6/2007
|
Thanks for all the advice! Hammerhead, I'll look into Hall's.
|
|
|
|
Chicago Diver
|
|
|
Joined on
9/26/2007
|
Don't forget to bring a Chicago Diver T-Shirt with you to St. Thomas! The Mid-Coast is the best Coast!
http://chicagodiver.net/
|
|
|
|
hammerhead
|
|
|
Joined on
3/13/2006
|
What a cheapskate!!!!!!!!!!! Buy an ad!!!!!!! Hey, Darrick? can I do this too?
Every time I get on I'll have my Antilles logo,website address, hell I even got cool t-shirts!!!!!!!!!!! Oh yeah Kevins stopped by the shop, we had a great visit. He told me about that party you were at together, you and that goat, and the bag of ice!!!! Your a wild man!!!!!!
It's okay, just show us on the doll where the P.A.D.I. instructor touched you.
|
|
|
|
Chicago Diver
|
|
|
Joined on
9/26/2007
|
I have an ad in the magazine and on this web site. I did not mean to offend. When traveling to foreign destinations it does not hurt to let the other divers know from whence you came.
I apologize for any disturbance.
|
|
|
|
cws1917
|
|
|
Joined on
3/12/2006
|
Chicago Diver, you have not offended anyone. Cool Ad by the way.
|
|
|
|
hammerhead
|
|
|
Joined on
3/13/2006
|
Sorry man, I was out of line.
It's okay, just show us on the doll where the P.A.D.I. instructor touched you.
|
|
|
|
Chicago Diver
|
|
|
Joined on
9/26/2007
|
No harm no foul.
Enjoy the Holiday Season!
A Merry Christmas to all and to all a good dive!
http://chicagodiver.net/
|
|
|
|
captdarrick
|
|
|
Joined on
1/10/2006
|
I will only own up to the bag of ice!
Captain Darrick Lorenzen
captdarrick@midwestscubadiving.com
www.divemaxscuba.com
773-732-8972
|
|
|
|
kevins
|
|
|
Joined on
6/15/2006
|
you got me, the goat was all mine...
In all seriousness, Hammerhead and I had a nice visit, unfortunately I found him near the end of my trip, after the diving was done (it was cut short by some dental issues). Hammerhead operates a nice little shop, Antilles Scuba, about 20 minutes east of Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. in the Compass Point Marina. It's probably only about a mile as the crow flies, but with the 35 MPH speed limits and the hairpin turns (not sure I ever got that fast), it takes about that long.
He is very knowledgable about the local dive sites, and obviously passionate about the sport. More importantly, he doesn't operate a fleet of cattleboats that take divers coming in off the cruise ships out to the reefs where you are diving with 20-30 of your closest friends. My wife and I own a timeshare on St. Thomas and agreed that this was a place we'd like to return frequently.
|
|
|
|
hammerhead
|
|
|
Joined on
3/13/2006
|
Thanks for dropping in, let me know next time your down. I've got some good dive sites for you (off the charts), it would be great if you could do a night dive with us! One of my favorite sites for a night dive is the wreck of the Cartanza Senora. Lots of Rays and almost always a little shark action!
It's about a 20 minute boat ride from the shop. Look forward to diving with you!!
I'll bring the goat.
It's okay, just show us on the doll where the P.A.D.I. instructor touched you.
|