SCUBA question

[othromas]

I got talking to an Air Force 2nd Lt. at the grill outside Bldg 633 a few weeks back and we got talking about SCUBA quals and dive schools around here. He said Pensacola Dive Company was the way to go, with MBT as a close second. He's the only one I've heard talk about the first place, so I'm just curious if anybody else has any first (or second) hand knowledge they'd be willing to share.

 

[airgreg]

I was looking into getting my SCUBA certification while I'm waiting around in A-pool, but was wondering if that is a bad idea due to the fact that something may get jacked up with my ears.

Isn't this still all outlawed by CNATRA? Diving, Rockclimbing, Parachuting, etc???

 

[bch]

can a helo even fly high enough for the pressure differential to matter?

according to who? Navy or Naui/PADI? Navy the answer is no diving... per dive computer and NAUI charts, under 4k only about 6 hrs max is needed.

Regardless though, 24hrs should still be followed.

 

[skidkid]

ORM? OPNAV? Please explain... I am only in A-pool, people!

ORM-institutionalized common sense with a vengance. Basically figure out risk vs gain then fill out some paper so they have something to screw you with if you f@ck it up.

OPNAV- There are many Operation of Naval Aircraft instructions- These are the pubs that tell you that you cannot do something hence if it doesnt say you cant then you can. OPNAV 3710 Sierra I think is most current and deals with all this stuff. Most of it will be spoon fed to you in primary except the IFR requirements, in advanced you will start to read it

 

[skidkid]

can a helo even fly high enough for the pressure differential to matter?

Does a Harrier have enough Gas for it even to be a factor.

"(insert squadron here) 22 checking on wiht 0+05 playtime"-no smiles but the sentiment is there.

 

[bch]

ORM-institutionalized common sense with a vengance. Basically figure out risk vs gain then fill out some paper so they have something to screw you with if you f@ck it up.

OPNAV- There are many Operation of Naval Aircraft instructions- These are the pubs that tell you that you cannot do something hence if it doesnt say you cant then you can. OPNAV 3710 Sierra I think is most current and deals with all this stuff. Most of it will be spoon fed to you in primary except the IFR requirements, in advanced you will start to read it

3710T is the current pub

 

[squeeze]

3710T is the current pub

and available in pdf if you look
i have a copy on my computer just in case

 

[Steve Wilkins]

OPNAVINST 3710.7T: http://neds.daps.dla.mil/3710.htm

8.3.2.13 Hyperbaric Exposure. Under normal circumstances, flight personnel shall not fly or participate in low-pressure chamber flights within 24 hours following scuba diving, compressed air dives, or high-pressure chamber evolutions. Where an urgent operational requirement dictates, flight personnel may fly within 12 hours of scuba diving, provided no symptoms of aeroembolism/decompression sickness develop following surfacing and the subject is examined and cleared by a flight surgeon.

Etc, etc....there's more, so be sure to read.

 

[number9]

This is an, uh, older thread but: has anyone gotten into diving later in life? I've always wanted to try SCUBA and there's an org in Boston that offers discounted (and even free?) training to active and reserve members.

 

[VMO4]

I am sure others will disagree...but my perspective, I am a Florida native, grew up in the 70's on the beach outside Pensacola. I did a little scuba in high school , never really caught the bug. I know literally hundreds of people over my life in varying degrees of SCUBA, from weekend one atmosphere warriors, to certified cave diving instructors. At the age of 61, most people who i know who were in it are now getting out of it. From my experience in the Corps, lawyering and working as a LEO, the most common denominator of people I knew who died before their time, is SCUBA, the fist dead body I ever saw in Destin as a 10 year old was from SCUBA. I know more people dead form SCUBA, than drugs, suicide, alcohol, car crashes, etc... Its not even close. My wife is a estate planning lawyer here in the Tampa area, she does as many estates from people dead from SCUBA , as any other "early death" cause.

I get it, it consumes some people's lives, like another word down there, best of luck to you, you want to do one atmosphere stuff on vacation, I guess I get it, anything other, no way....just my perspective.

 

[Brett327]

This is an, uh, older thread but: has anyone gotten into diving later in life? I've always wanted to try SCUBA and there's an org in Boston that offers discounted (and even free?) training to active and reserve members.

This may hold the thread resurrection record... 19ish years! FWIW, I did a lot of diving when I was younger and living in Florida. Being a Whidbey guy most of my career didn't make diving easy. Now that I live on Kauai, I've taken it back up. Bottom line, it's a great way to explore the ocean from a different perspective. Are there any specific concerns that you have?

 

[number9]

This may hold the thread resurrection record... 19ish years! FWIW, I did a lot of diving when I was younger and living in Florida. Being a Whidbey guy most of my career didn't make diving easy. Now that I live on Kauai, I've taken it back up. Bottom line, it's a great way to explore the ocean from a different perspective. Are there any specific concerns that you have?

I was going to wait until January to see if we could make the big 20

I guess I have two main concerns:

1. Is it a hobby you can do occasionally, or is it a "nope, if you want to be competent, it needs to be your only hobby"
2. A little bit worried about claustrophobia when wearing the mask

 

[MIDREGS]

I guess I have two main concerns:

1. Is it a hobby you can do occasionally, or is it a "nope, if you want to be competent, it needs to be your only hobby"
2. A little bit worried about claustrophobia when wearing the mask

I got certified last year. I dove often in Pensacola for 2-3 months, but have not logged a dive in the last 6 months. I am sure you'll get a more reliable answer from someone but here is my take:

1. I would not dive again after my pause without taking a refresher course. If you find a good shop, it seems like refreshers are very cheap (or free with gear rental) if you tag along with an instructor who is already taking a class out for certifications. You can choose the depth/difficulty of diving you do if you are not current to ease back into it.

2. I find SCUBA gear to be no more claustrophobic than flight gear.

 

[JoeBob1788]

I have extensive dive experience, and have been (prior flight school) a navy SCUBA and mixed gas rebreather sup.

SCUBA really is very simple, and in a lot of ways is pretty hard to mess up. Every SCUBA dive incident I saw was invariably on Det to KW, sharing a spot with recreational divers, and involved alcohol. Best one was pulling a fantasy fest-er out of the water, and while treating him discovered he had 8 toes. He told us he had the pinky toes removed in order to better fit high heels… gotta love KW!

Anyway; don’t drink and dive (much at least) and dive a couple of times a year. Don’t cave dive. Practice bouyancy control every time you go. It absolutely does not have to rule your time to be proficient, but obviously if you’ve only gone a handful of times and take a year break, keep it simple and go with someone with some experience.

Claustrophobia isn’t typically the issue people fear, but you’ll start in a pool and you’ll be able to see prior to it mattering.

Some of my favorite diving was Puget Sound diving, panhandle is okay, KW is great, La Jolla is good, Hawaii is awesome… if you get certified the Navy will take you to some awesome dive opportunities.