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Off the back of my thread about depression a few months ago, one of the suggestions made by the CPN I have been seeing was that I need to have some time for myself, doing something I want to do.
So, having always thought that scuba diving looks both interesting and relaxing, can you recommend me some online resources to look at to get an idea of what one would have to do to have a go at it, training, kit and so on.
Thanks
PADI did it for me, magical fun being underwater, diving in Britain can be very frustrating.
There are a few on here who have way more experience than me.
You don't need any kit to do it. Go to a local dive shop and speak to them about it. We learnt to scuba dive in 2011 before we went to Thailand and absolutely loved it, to the point that we are going every year now (too much of a pussy to dive in the UK .. .along with having too many other hobbies). We didn't own any kit, just hired it. It is brilliant the stuff you see, the feelings of floating around in water. I love it can't recommmend it enough.
Calling Trimix to the forum .... scubatastic he is! Did you know he used to be a dive guide?
Ha ha, thats a whole other thread !
But Ive dived in a few places since the late 70's 🙂
I actually like the UK as well as all the exotic places. Down in Cornwall in the summer its 18-20 degrees, good clear water and loads of life. (Dolphins, Cuttle fish to name a few ).
Its very relaxing, you wont get fit doing it. Very absorbing mentaly, you plan your dive, sort out your kit, dive buddy, check weather / sea forecasts, research dive locations, plan things like depth, time etc. Then enjoy the dive. Very good BSAC clubs all over the UK, or just do a PADI course at your local pool - google PADI UK. Or get onto http://www.yorkshire-divers.com/forums/ and ask all the questions you want.
You can do a try dive in a pool to see if its for you first as well.
I didn't see your original thread, but just wondered, are you on antidepressants? Some of them don't mix with scuba diving, as I discovered a while back... I learnt to dive in Gozo (off Malta) and was cleared to dive after a medical, but following year in Egypt was told no way. Was on citalopram at the time. Things may have changed since then, but check it out, I was so gutted to be limited to snorkeling in the red sea...
That aside, I loved diving, amazing feeling, like flying. Gozo was good place to learn cos u can do training that would normally be in a pool in open water, as the sea is so calm & shallow. Not done it for years now, but will come back to it when we have disposable income again (currently stay at home mum, soon to be full time student 🙂 )
+1 what Trimix says.
UK diving is good and you have the option of a club environment with it too. I agree it can be frustrating though, especially if you live in the middle of the country.
I wouldn't rush into getting kit as it is a financial black hole. If you thought mountain biking could be expensive you aint seen nothing yet. It is all worth it though.
I would skip the Yorkshire Divers website though as it has unfortunately just imploded with a mass exodus to [url] http://www.thediveforum.com/ [/url]
Always found yorkshire divers forum to be useful, not been on it for a while though. The diving equivalent of STW.
cranky girl - yes I am, also citalopram
Looks like the nearest dive training place is in Oban, puffin something. Does anybody know if they're any good?
Just been reading up on the exodus from Yorkshire Divers. Probably best to try thediveforum.com
Try and do a trial dive somewhere first, some people get claustrophobia being underwater, and it would be a pain to organise and pay for a week's classes only to discover it really isn't your thing.
Assuming you're OK (and most people are), I'd recommend something like a week in Almeria (I did my PADI Open Water course with [url= http://www.aquatoursalmeria.es/ ]these guys[/url], very professional setup, all the gear was in good condition etc.), nice warm weather, probably not that much more expensive than doing it in the UK, and a damn sight warmer!
One thing I wouldn't be too concerned about is the reputation of the area for diving, if you start reading up on dive websites you'll find people raving on about how great such-and-such a location is - while some sites are clearly better than others, you're there to do the course, and there is always something to look at.
One last point is that PADI is just one certifying organisation, and there are others which are just as good. The critical thing is the instructor. The main advantage to PADI is that it's the most internationally recognised.
If you're up near oban you're both blessed and cursed:
The blessing is relatively clear waters and lots of marine life. The curse is its not exactly tropical, even by UK standards. As far as puffin goes, frankly I'd rather eat my toes than have anything to do with that crowd.
UK diving is rewarding, but a totally different kettle of fish to diving somewhere tropical. If you're a water baby you'll probably enjoy it, maybe try some snorkelling first to see how you feel?
As for the meds, citalopram seems to have mixed views, probably best to speak to a local referee from the sports divers medical council: http://www.uksdmc.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33:medical-referees&catid=7:medical-referees&Itemid=3
good luck!
Ive dived up at Oban, very good set up, but its flipping cold 🙂
You will need a dry suit.
They're that good eh! Just reading the staff 'bio's' made me think nobbers.