By cindy nolen (BonaireTalker - Post #18) on Friday, March 7, 2003 - 1:38 pm: |
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?
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By bob neer (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #827) on Friday, March 7, 2003 - 2:00 pm: |
hi cindy,
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By Linda Richter - NetTech (Moderator - Post #1355) on Friday, March 7, 2003 - 2:19 pm: |
I don't think you can rent a weight intergrated BC here. A definite YES on renting a dive computer.
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By Susan Feldman (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #554) on Friday, March 7, 2003 - 6:02 pm: |
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.
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By Anthony Cooper (BonaireTalker - Post #23) on Friday, March 7, 2003 - 6:28 pm: |
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.
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By JIM KENNEDY (BonaireTalker - Post #70) on Friday, March 7, 2003 - 6:29 pm: |
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...
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By michael j kniffen (BonaireTalker - Post #11) on Friday, March 7, 2003 - 10:28 pm: |
hi cindy,good advice from all I to would say let
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By herman mowery (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #170) on Friday, March 7, 2003 - 10:52 pm: |
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.
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By John Allen (BonaireTalker - Post #78) on Saturday, March 8, 2003 - 9:33 am: |
Cindy,
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By joe brannan (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #7) on Saturday, March 8, 2003 - 11:54 am: |
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.
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By Shelly Adamie (BonaireTalker - Post #26) on Saturday, March 8, 2003 - 1:37 pm: |
Cindy,
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By Karen Courchaine (BonaireTalker - Post #20) on Sunday, March 9, 2003 - 12:12 am: |
Cindy -
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By Keith Dowell (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Sunday, March 9, 2003 - 7:02 pm: |
Does Buddys resort, have there accomadation, from saturday to saturday, or can you come mid week, as air fare is cheaper.
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By Dave Flook (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #147) on Sunday, March 9, 2003 - 7:43 pm: |
Keith:
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By Ana C (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #108) on Monday, March 10, 2003 - 4:42 pm: |
Cindy,
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