BonaireTalk Discussion Group
Diving Bonaire: New diver questions
Bonaire Talk: Diving Bonaire: Archives: Archives 1999-2005: Archives - 2002-11-26 to 2003-04-30: New diver questions
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By cindy nolen (BonaireTalker - Post #18) on Friday, March 7, 2003 - 1:38 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

OK here is the whiny baby asking some dumb questions. We will be certified this weekend and I still have a few questions. On Bonaire.....can you rent a weight integrated BC? Can you rent computers (dive)? We have learned on dive tables and although I understand how to read them, I can't see how when you are swimming around down under you can stay at one depth and base your dive on that depth. I definetly see how owning your own equipment is most beneficial, but we are a family of three to buy for. We have been to Bon 2x as snorkelers and had to buy all new mask, snork, fins (dive quality) and wet suits for our dive class and of course the expense of lessons and let's not forget the 1 week trip to Bon Mar 22-29 and lets also not forget Xmas 3 months ago we are scraping the bottom of the barrel right now. THEREFORE I really don't want to go in debt and buy equipment right now. We are also somewhat skeptical about diving since this is so NEW to us and God forbid we'd give it up and have a TON of $ tied up in equipment. See I told you I'm a whiny baby!! This is the reason I ask if these rentals are available. Also, we are not tied into a dive shop and I REALLY want to find someone to hire to shore dive with us the first few days to help us learn the ropes. I feel this would be better (safer) shore diving than boat diving right away. Any suggestions/recomendations?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By bob neer (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #827) on Friday, March 7, 2003 - 2:00 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

hi cindy,

suggestions?

1. relax
2. buy nothing yet
3. you will be tied to a dive shop when you get here (tank rental at least) - so let the dive shop personnel take care of you
4. it's gonna be way easier than what you have seen in your training

;)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Linda Richter - NetTech (Moderator - Post #1355) on Friday, March 7, 2003 - 2:19 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I don't think you can rent a weight intergrated BC here. A definite YES on renting a dive computer.

Shore diving versus boat diving. Personally, I think boat diving tends to be easier. You only have to shuffle a few feet to get off the boat versus waves and loose rubble under foot on the shore. However at any of the resorts, you can dive off the pier or sand beach which makes things pretty easy.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Susan Feldman (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #554) on Friday, March 7, 2003 - 6:02 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I agree with Linda about the boat dives. If you're a little uncertain, just let the divemaster on the boat know, and they'll watch you and help you if it's needed. In my experience, they'll often encourage newbies to tag along with them, and those who do get to see all the neat things the divemasters have located on previous dives - seahorses for example.

Getting in and out from the shore might be just stressful enough for you as new divers to taint your experience.

By the way: weight belts and weights will be available, just not necessarily weight-integrated BCs.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Anthony Cooper (BonaireTalker - Post #23) on Friday, March 7, 2003 - 6:28 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Cindy - Everything above is right on target...especially the relax part. I understand your apprehension, but that will disappear in short order. As for your not understanding about diving at a single depth, unless theory (and a few principles of physics and physiology, as well as concern for safety) has changed, you compute your dive group/rnt etc based on your bottom time and MAXIMUM depth...that does not imply that you have to stay at that depth or that you do, only that the tables are based on the assumption that you do. In reality you ascend and descend (probably) randomly during your dive going through a series of decompressions/recompressions and generally trying to lessen your depth gradually as you progress toward the end of your dive. (By the way, this is especially easy to do when diving in Bonaire for all sorts of reasons including topography, generally gentle diving conditions...no or very little current or surge, etc) A dive computer is able to take this into account (it is performing a very fast repetitive series of calculations) and consequently is able to "allow" you more bottom time than tables.

Rent the computer and enjoy your diving.

DSAO (dive safely and often)

Tony

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By JIM KENNEDY (BonaireTalker - Post #70) on Friday, March 7, 2003 - 6:29 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

May I suggest talking to your diveshop that certified you and asking them for their help in renting you their equipment that you certified in. I believe that new divers, at least for a short period of time, dive in the gear they are experienced with. It justs helps with the new found stresses that's bound to be in a new dive enviroment. As Susan and the others have said, in my opinion, I would stick with the boat dives for a few days anyway, they are easier than shore diving and even with lots of dives I would rather ride than walk with all my equipment. Also the divemasters will pretty well take care of you and even help with your equipment and logging dives. All diveshops should be diving within the normal limits of depth and time which will also be a nice way to enter the real world of diving. I understand that money is an issue but at least dive for two days on the boat and than work into shores diving. There even may be experienced divers willing for you to tag along during their shores dives that you have met on the boat. And above all, ASK if you need HELP! The divemasters and other experienced divers will be glad to point you in the right direction. Start diving the correct way with no short cuts and good sound diving habits. As I have said before for new divers (as well as all divers) a bottom timer is cheap insurance in logging dives without all the paperwork during the day. They're price in the $200 range and will last for years if properly taken care of...

Safe Diving,
jimini

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By michael j kniffen (BonaireTalker - Post #11) on Friday, March 7, 2003 - 10:28 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

hi cindy,good advice from all I to would say let
the divemasters help you it makes them feel good
but you might try taking an extra tank strap and
put some weight on both sides of your tank taking
weight of your hips still leaving enough weight
on your belt for emergency purposes.I have found
that works well with students.ask you instructor
for help before you leave .

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By herman mowery (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #170) on Friday, March 7, 2003 - 10:52 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I guess I come down on the other side of the Boat/shore diving question. The boat adds a lot of task loading and peer pressure that can be avoided on a shore dive. No pressure to suit up and keep up with the other divers. No climbing back onto the boat, even if the "Carolina ladder rides" (the way we have to get on a boat in 4-6 ft seas)are nothing in Bonaire. On a shore dive, you can take as much time as you like. You are also not intimidated by jumping off into 50-80 ft of water. You can set the depth limit that suits you and not have to accept whatever depth the DM has chosen. The dives off the resort docks are about as easy as diving gets. Pink Beach is another very easy entry.
My suggetion would be to join some experienced divers or hire a DM for a couple of dives.

As for dive computers, while I dive with them and like them but for diving on Bonaire, esp for new divers, they are really not necessary. If you stick to the dropoff or shallower(30-35 ft) it's almost impossible to go past your NDL. I can't get close on an al-80 and I average 75 minutes on a AL-80.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Allen (BonaireTalker - Post #78) on Saturday, March 8, 2003 - 9:33 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Cindy,

Never feel bad about asking questions. It is the easiest way to learn what you need to know. If feasible, and cost effective, I really like Jim's idea of renting the equipment that you were certified in. Using Dive Computers is very easy, but if you are comfortable with the tables, use them. Also, talk to divers and instructors and get their opinions. I've met a few SCUBA naturals in my life, but most of the rest of started where you are now. Definitely find what you like before investing the money in dive gear.
Welcome to the Family

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By joe brannan (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #7) on Saturday, March 8, 2003 - 11:54 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Ditto to almost everything above. I do tend to lean toward boat dives for beginners..........just let the DM know you're new to the world underwater and they're usually very helpful (and they often will point out things underwater that you wouldn't notice otherwise.
One other point, you're enterring a family of divers that is almost always willing to lend a hand. As one of the posts above put it....NEVER WORRY ABOUT ASKING....we all started as beginners.
I don't know when you're going to be on Bonaire, but if you're going to be there anytime between 3/21 and 4/6, look for the oldest guy around with a midback braid and I'll be glad to hang out with ya (other identifier is northwest indian tatoo of killer whale (my midlife crisis in motion)

Joe

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Shelly Adamie (BonaireTalker - Post #26) on Saturday, March 8, 2003 - 1:37 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Cindy,
I don't know where you are staying, but I would suggest your first few dives be right off of the dock. This is about as low stress as it gets. The entry is very easy and you can hang in the water until everone is comfortable and then make a slow and short descent. This will give you all some time to get comfortable and practice. Next I would do boat dives and hang with the dive master. Don't worry about the other people on the boat being bothered because you are new. We were all there at one time. Just watch how the other people handle their gear on the boat and follow their lead. Ask questions. Most divers love to help new divers learn to love diving like we do. I will add that I found my first descent on a boat dive a little intimidating. I just let the DM know I was a little scared and he stayed right with me until I relaxed. Relax and take things at your own pace and you will have a great time. Shelly

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Karen Courchaine (BonaireTalker - Post #20) on Sunday, March 9, 2003 - 12:12 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Cindy -

My husband and I are headed down there in a couple of weeks. He is a fairly new diver and it's been awhile since I've had an extended dive trip. Our local dive shop gave us a refresher course and let us try out some gear that we are renting and taking with us. I parted with an old reg several years ago and am renting a set with a new computer. My husband wanted to try out a weight integrated BC before purchasing. This way we know what we are bringing and don't have to rely on finding what we would like to try while there. (Particularly during busy season). Check around with your local shops, someone there would probably be willing to do the same. Karen

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Keith Dowell (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Sunday, March 9, 2003 - 7:02 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Does Buddys resort, have there accomadation, from saturday to saturday, or can you come mid week, as air fare is cheaper.
Thank you Keith

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Flook (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #147) on Sunday, March 9, 2003 - 7:43 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Keith:

Email them, and ask them. I believe they will work with your schedule. We arrive on a Monday and leave on Friday, so they did it for us.

Dave

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ana C (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #108) on Monday, March 10, 2003 - 4:42 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Cindy,
My first trip to Bonaire was as a newbie diver. We were able to rent regulators that had the computer already. I liked renting the equipment in Bonaire - if you have a problem the dive shop can fix/ exchange right away. Plus we did not have the hassle of bringing all the extra gear.

As far as the shore diving - I liked going with a boat my first few times, because I felt the divemaster was watching over me. If you want to go on a shore dive and are nervous, you can always hire out one of the divemasters in your dive shop to come with you.

Have fun!! AND RELAX !!!
-Ana

 


Visit: The Bonaire WebCams - Current Bonaire images and weather!
The Bonaire Insider - the latest tourism news about Bonaire
The Bonaire Information Site, InfoBonaire
Search Bonaire - Search top Bonaire Web sites


Topics Last Day Last Week Tree View    Getting Started Formatting Troubleshooting    New Messages Keyword Search Contact Moderators Edit Profile Administration