any scuba divers in the house.......

[fatguy1]

my little brother was talking about gettin some scuba lessons the other day and now thats all im hearing about from him. so im wondering where is a good place to go to get lessons in the OC or surrounding areas. and whats all involved ...do we get lessons and take tests, is there a speacial cirtificate that you get when you complete the training:?:. i have been snorkaling quite a few times but never did the whole tank thing and all the hoses...all the input i can get will be appreciated from me and my bro...i told him to just buy a bike but he might break a nail hes kinda a sissy boy...LOL:lol:

 

[Revalimage]

Paging Shu... (or PM him)

 

[thomaswildchild]

Sports chalet in brea has an indoor pool that they will teach you how to dive in. BUt that's far as I know-- Wish I knew about their prices and stuff. call around or do a quick google search.

 

[tandem]

my wife got her Scuba classes, training and PADI certification from Sports Chalet in Brea

you can check out their locations with scuba pools HERE

 

[Shu]

I have a bunch of friends who are instructors thru course directors...I will PM you my number and I will see who seems to be the best fit for your situation....I'll give you a run down on costs also

 

[YakityYak]

Some Sport Chalets offer free monthly intro classes that'll get you in the water and blowing bubbles. It's a good way to check it out and you won't need anything beyond a swim suit and a towel. It's a good place to start asking questions.

If you decide on getting certified, PADI is the most internationally recognized certifying body, which is makes it easier if want to dive on vacation. There is also NAUI, SSI. PDIC, NASE, SDI.... a few more. I'd stick to either PADI, Naui or SSI.

You'll need at least a mask, snorkel and fins (you may already have that if you snorkel) for your first cert (open water diver) . Everything else can be rented.

Sports Chalet is a good place to get certified, but not necessarily the best. I'd visit a few shops, ask a few question ands try to meet the instructors. Like most guys here try to support their local bike shop (LBS), I try to support the local Scuba shop. Just go w/ the shop/instructor that yo feel comfortable with.

You can save a lot of money on additional equipment and study material by shopping online, ebay, craigslist, scuba.com, etc. However, if you buy anything technical, like a BC, computer, tanks, octopus, regulators, etc., be sure that you have it inspected at your local shop (do it annually, minimum) before you take it in the water.

I belong to an online adventure group SCOA and they occasionally have discounted classes.

http://www.scoaoutdoors.com/calendar/12385009/?from=list&offset=0

Hope this gets you started.

 

[Manny43]

Sport Chalet, hands down. If you've got money to throw away, go with your local mom and pop shop.

 

[Shu]

Sport Chalet, hands down. If you've got money to throw away, go with your local mom and pop shop.

In OC there are a lot of shops and they almost all price match(except to online only stores)....Sports Chalet doesn't and they aren't always the least expensive either....

 

[Margaritaman]

I was certified with a class that I took as a summer school elective at Cal Poly Pomona many (and I mean many) moons ago. Getting certified isn't something you want to rush through or skimp on IMO. Your life will depend on what you learn in your certification class. Find someone whom you are comfortable with and can listen to.

 

[brparts]

i got my certification at Pacific Wilderness. they are on tustin ave. not sure if that is the city of orange or santa ana. ph#714-997-5506. that was 10 yrs ago. not sure if they are still in business.. this was a good dive shop when i was going there.

 

[Hellride]

i got my certification at Pacific Wilderness. they are on tustin ave. not sure if that is the city of orange or santa ana. ph#714-997-5506. that was 10 yrs ago. not sure if they are still in business.. this was a good dive shop when i was going there.

They are still in business. I instruct there and they are definitely a good shop to use. How old is your little brother? Different agencies require different minimum ages - but all have very similar curriculums so the best advice is to visit the shop, ask questions, and try to talk to one or the instructor for the class. It will make all the difference in the world. I would very much recommend however going to a LDS for everything. Yes, you *may* be able to save a few bucks online - but these folks are IN the business. Run clubs, actively dive, and can make your life much easier when you need equipment, service, buddies, etc. Worth it.

The course can take as little as two weeks (plus weekends), or take a month or so depending on a static class, private class, or combo. There are books, tests, pool skills, and ocean dives. If your brother is of certifying age for the agency, at completion he'll receive a C-card which allows him to dive anywhere without professional supervision (and get air-fills, rent equipment, etc). If he is not of age, he may be able to still earn a restricted certification so he can dive but with supervision.

Good luck and welcome to the other 80% of our planet!

 

[MohammedInABearSuit]

While we have all the scuba folks reading.... Mary & I have decided to stop diving and we have a bunch of gear for sale. This is typically good stuff like Atomic Regulators, and Halcyon BCDs, lights a wreck reel etc. PM me if you are interested. Even have a few wetsuits in various states of repair.

 

[Shu]

They are still in business. I instruct there and they are definitely a good shop to use. How old is your little brother? Different agencies require different minimum ages - but all have very similar curriculums so the best advice is to visit the shop, ask questions, and try to talk to one or the instructor for the class. It will make all the difference in the world. I would very much recommend however going to a LDS for everything. Yes, you *may* be able to save a few bucks online - but these folks are IN the business. Run clubs, actively dive, and can make your life much easier when you need equipment, service, buddies, etc. Worth it.

The course can take as little as two weeks (plus weekends), or take a month or so depending on a static class, private class, or combo. There are books, tests, pool skills, and ocean dives. If your brother is of certifying age for the agency, at completion he'll receive a C-card which allows him to dive anywhere without professional supervision (and get air-fills, rent equipment, etc). If he is not of age, he may be able to still earn a restricted certification so he can dive but with supervision.

Good luck and welcome to the other 80% of our planet!

Pacific Wilderness(Org) is my LDS and it sux sometimes(not the shop the scenario -->)....I've walked out of Pacific Wilderness after making a purchase only to walk into Adrenaline Bikes right next door to make a purchase....LOL

Much like a LBS if you have a good customer/LBS relationship it can be way more beneficial then saving a buck or 2 online.....Much like STR there is a local diving community that plan local beach dives/boat dives/International dive trips that ALL welcome noobies

 

[Shu]

While we have all the scuba folks reading.... Mary & I have decided to stop diving and we have a bunch of gear for sale. This is typically good stuff like Atomic Regulators, and Halcyon BCDs, lights a wreck reel etc. PM me if you are interested. Even have a few wetsuits in various states of repair.

I'm looking for another steel 80 tank or 100 if you have either of those....no aluminium

 

[NitrOx]

While we have all the scuba folks reading.... Mary & I have decided to stop diving and we have a bunch of gear for sale. This is typically good stuff like Atomic Regulators, and Halcyon BCDs, lights a wreck reel etc. PM me if you are interested. Even have a few wetsuits in various states of repair.

Which model atomic and halcyon?

 

[MohammedInABearSuit]

Which model atomic and halcyon?

Atomic B1 regs - circa 2001
Halcyon Pioneer 18lb wing on Halcyon SS backplates
Halcyon Scout lights (non LCD version)
Halcyon 400' Pathfinder reel.

Also have a couple of Zeagle Tec BCDs, Atomic Fins and 2 Cobra Dive Computers plus other stuff...

 

[NitrOx]

Also have a couple of Zeagle Tec BCDs, Atomic Fins and 2 Cobra Dive Computers plus other stuff...

Wow, very nice stuff! You must have been really into diving! What size fins and Zeagle tech? I use a small cumberbond and medium harness; medium fins

 

[MohammedInABearSuit]

Wow, very nice stuff! You must have been really into diving! What size fins and Zeagle tech? I use a small cumberbond and medium harness; medium fins

One medium Zeagle and another small with x-small straps. One set of fins is small and the other medium. We were heavy into UW photography for a while but decided to move off to land stuff for the next decade or so. Here are a few samples: http://gallery.me.com/hoovermarkd#100453&bgcolor=black&view=grid

 

[back of the pack]

Boy diving has changed!

I was certified by NAUI in 1979 at Golden West College by an instructor who was a high school physics teacher so we spent a lot of time learning the dive tables. I dove a lot around the Channel Islands and finally the Great Barrier Reef before I got married in 1985.

I was running a little early to the Car Wreck opening yesterday and stopped on the way down at Moss street in Laguna to check out the ocean. There were two diver on top checking out their gear before making a beach dive. The one was going through his equipment and I was amazed. He had a re-breather set up, now that was cool. All I could think of was James Bond. Anyway the sport has evolved quite a bit (not unlike mountain biking). Sorry Shu no steel 80's or 100's sitting around just a couple old steel 72's that are way out of hydro.

 

[mxvet]

I got my cert at Liburdi's in Irvine many years ago. not sure if they're still there but I was very happy with the process they had.