PADI 5 Star Dive Center - Naples - Marco Island - Bonita Springs - Fort Myers

First Open Water Dives

Mike, Ronnie, & Paul - my classmates. Missed my buddies on this dive. OMG - talk about a drop-off over the edge of an abyss ! There is a reason for looking out at the horizon. My mask didn't fit right and it kept flooding but I think I'm OK with clearing it now ! We dove a wreck at elbow reef - a REAL shipwreck guys. It was just too cool. Word up -equalize, equalize, equalize. I looked like a cork - bobbing up and down - I thought Mike was either going to split his wet suit laughing at me or tether me to the nearest rock and come back to get me later. Snorkel/regulator exchange on the surface in choppy water was my downfall - swallowed my ratio of salt for the month I think. But I did my regulator recovery with no problem. Going out this morning for the final two dives before I find out if I pass the test and get my certification. You are absolutely going to fall in love with this - got to get your wives and girlfriends to learn. What a bonding experience. There is nothing like it. And our instructor - he was born to teach this sport. He has the patience of Job I swear. Just try to follow his lead and - listen for his signals. Mike claims I was half-way to Cuba on the first dive before I realized he was trying to get my attention ! So good luck and catch me some lobsters - I'd love to experience your dive too but you gotta have a buddy - that may take some time. Once you're certed, if anyone wants to GO DIVING - let me know ! Barb Chaney

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Comment by Barbara Chaney on November 3, 2009 at 11:50am: Victoria - thank you. We were thinking about you guys diving at Neptune's Memorial Reef this past weekend also. It had to be fantastic. Are you going on the lobster dive ? I have to add an extra thanks, once again, for your encouragement and enthusiasm. If not for you I would never have accomplished this goal - and I do consider it an accomplishment. I am on cloud nine - or should I say 'reef nine' ?? Anyway, I will call you soon. Love, Barb

Comment by Victoria Penn on November 3, 2009 at 7:20am: Barb,
Congratulations on your certification and well worth all the work of a life time hobby!!!! I'm so glad you checked out Scuba Outfitters , because they are awesome dive instructors as you know!!! Well, some day in the near future we will have to get together for a dive trip. I thought of you this weekend as we were diving in Key Biscayne for the Halloween dive ,it was fabulous!! I'll have to share it with you....give me a call 239-580-8884. Hope my pictures come out decent to post here! Kudos again!

Comment by Barbara Chaney on November 2, 2009 at 7:17pm: Thanks Teri ! And A special thanks to Jen - she was diving with us also and provided a lot of encouragement, good advice, and moral support. Now - we need Mike to post those totally awesome pics of us playing with Fred the 200# grouper !!

Comment by Teri on November 2, 2009 at 5:54pm: Barbara,
Congratulations on your certification! I am very proud of you.
Welcome to diving.
Teri

Comment by Barbara Chaney on November 1, 2009 at 4:31pm: Mike, I was so focused on getting through the skills checklist that I would have needed a third hand to take pics but I believe Mike got a few with me in them. Today we dove another wreck site - "The City of Washington". Got to 'pet' a 200# grouper !! It was so totally awesome and unbelievable - "Fred" actually rolled over onto his back so we could rub his belly ! Saw a couple sharks, and one drifted very close to me and Mike when he was making me do the compass thing. I pointed at it but he directed me to swim anyway - they really pay little to no attention to the divers which took me by surprise. Word to the wise, practice your skills, learn to read and use that compass. I got certified but I will be spending some time in the pool doing the snorkel/regulator exchange - I had some difficulty clearing my snorkel in the ocean. Maybe Ft. Lauderdale will be flatter although we had perfect weather and very small chop. The controlled emergency ascent IS easier in the ocean than the pool though. And mask recovery and clearing went smoother than I thought it would. I am exhausted though. But in a good way. I may try to come to Ft. Lauderdale, Mike said I would probably be assigned a buddy and I only intend to dive with people I really trust until I feel very comfortable about it. Still, I am certified ! I will recommend Scuba Outfitters to anyone who wants to learn to dive - Mike is patient, professional, and I felt totally secure knowing he was there to guide me through the experience.

Comment by MIKE WATKINS on November 1, 2009 at 8:59am: that sound cool glad you had a lot of fun get alot of pic so we can see what u got to see have fun