The Scuba Diving Thread

[Savant]

Just had a thought that a few of the AQ bros are probably interested in scuba diving... decided to start a thread on scuba where we can share experiences, information on dive operators, places to go, find a buddy... etc

I'm Advanced Open Water trained but not so many dives yet... diving mainly in the Malaysia and other parts of asia (thinking of phuket, bali, etc) and plan to dive about two times every two months or so...

[celticfish]

There are quite a few divers in AQ.
Old diver and newbie divers.
Active divers and inactive ones.
Don't forget the wannabees too!

I try to shoot for three to four dives per year.
But if a "major" dive is planned then I go less.
I usually reccomend divers to do "local" till they get thier bouyancy okay.
Then go to further and usually more expensive places.
Otherwise you may not enjoy the trip as much since you will be messing with the inflator always and probably end up with a headache going up and down during the dives.

[dxchen]

Hello

I am also an advanced open water diver. Usually dive at Aur and Tioman with my school's dive club. Went diving at phuket once and i would recommend live aboard. There are more stuff you can see if you go for it. However you will miss out on the land activities like drinking and shopping and stuff. Yeapz that is all from me for now. =)

[lEddyl]

hi

got my open water 2yr ago. only been to 1 dive so far. because no kakis ah!

[Savant]

Can get AQ kakis here now :P

I plan to do a dive or two every other month...usually closer to home for the weekend... last one I did was a few days ago with Waikiki... next one will probably be at Aur with Friendly waters... Another planned with Apache... Will do the white manta at some pt too...

Do let me know if you are interested to dive together and I'll keep you guys looped in on my next dive trip...

[Samuel2618]

Hi Fellow Divers..

I am a Master Scuba Diver and have been diving for quite some time.. I have been to Philippines(Cebu), Bali, Phuket, and mainly Malaysia dive sites.. Currently I am looking for people to join me in Layang Layang which I always miss due to work committment as I wanted to catch a glimpse at the famous Hammer head Shark..

[nasty12]

hmm anyone have good lobang for diving thinking of taking up the course? (cheap and good )

[Savant]

Frankly I think the scuba operators in the region are highly competitive and the prices are already rather cheap. Better to go for quality...

[celticfish]

I agree with Savant's point.
You should have enough trust in the outfit to provide you with good instructors.
The local scene is really competitive and the instructors move around.
I would rather follow them than stick to one operator till thy kingdom come...
But if your feel your skills are up to scratch... why not?
Because another set of good head is always better than just your own!

[eeeeemo]

any recommendations for newbies to learn diving??
i am very keen in getting a license..

[celticfish]

You can checkout http://www.finsonline.com/
That said, its best if you have a friend that has been certified to join you.
Next best is a friend to take the course together and work like a buddy system.
This way if you screw-up or forget something you have a buddy.
The course is done with trainees being buddied-up but you can't choose unless you know another trainee and agree.

[Savant]

Yes. Finsonline is very recommended.

Go talk to a couple of outfits. Ask them if their course includes certification fees, rental of equipment as some shops will quote you without these essential items. Check out their instructor/student ratio (not instructor/divemaster/student) and if they mix their recreational divers with their students (for advanced course).

Finally, a note on equipment sales. Best to look around before buying from the shop you are doing the course with... Some shops can charge up to 30-40% above best prices you can find elsewhere (so don't rush into a buy)...

[stormchild]

I am a diver and i have a dream.

To dive in Bedok Reservoir. Just to see what's under there.

I am sure it's illegal though.

[Savant]

Think in breach of the no swimming rule... otherwise I do not think there is a prohibition (yet)... Must check the NParks rules and regulations...

[David Moses Heng]

I am a diver and i have a dream.

To dive in Bedok Reservoir. Just to see what's under there.

I am sure it's illegal though.

practice the unwritten SAF rule. You can do anything BUT don't get caught

[stormchild]

I heard that some guys were caught diving at Xiao Guilin and got fined 200 bucks.
But Hey, if they can open up the reservoir for watersports like canoeing, dragon boat, etc... i'm sure they might open it up for diving one day.

*Hopeful

[riltz]

haha xiao guilin is only open to the diving unit for training depth dive. normal people not allowed. i'm saf trained for diving. looking to convert to advance water diving license.

if ever i get activated to dive in bedok for whatever reason, will update you guys what the bottom is like. but its most probably very muddy with zero visibility like anywhere else in singapore.

[BFG]

I am a diver and i have a dream.

To dive in Bedok Reservoir. Just to see what's under there.

I am sure it's illegal though.

Should be mostly contained with silt at the bottom most of the reservoir. Saw the documentary on how that reservoir was created on tv a long time ago. The bottom area is flat with compacted earth and sand.

[Shadow]

o... that reservoir is man made? I thought it was natural

[bryan]

I'd really recomend saving all the money for the Aur/Tioman trips for places like Manado, Andamans(Phuket), Mindano and Borneo. After diving some of these places, I really regret wasting my money on those weekend trips. Alas time is not on my side since I'm now tied down by family commitments.