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Posts: 2515
Location: Waukesha & Land O Lakes, WI | Anybody here dabble in SCUBA? I'm thinking of getting into it to check out structure, reefs, fish and look for old treasure.
I'm from SE Wis. Anybody have any recommendations on where to get gear and get certified? Prices and "what to look fors" would be great as well.
Thanks in advance,
GMG |
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Posts: 1137
Location: Holly, MI | Sigh.... I wish. It is on my list for after the kids grow up along with Flying lessons. Time and $ are limiting factors. I try to spend as much of my free time as I can with my kids right now. Skip the structure, I want to see the big girls face to face in their house. |
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Posts: 459
Location: New Baden IL | If anybody chimes in here who does scuba dive, what is the minimum clarity of the water that is worhtwile to dive in?
Rod |
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Posts: 5
Location: Rockton, IL | I am both certified SCUBA and a private pilot...
As far as recommendations on where to train, I don't know (took it for credit in college), but to get a decent used set-up, complete with BCD/tank/regulator/fins/mask/compass etc, you're looking at least $600. Plus, you'll throw in another 150 - 200 on a wetsuit.
3-4 ft visibility would be about the limit at which you would have to stop exploring for structure and have a specific location of structure that you were trying to investigate.
It's a good time, but it is a pain in the a$$ to find somebady to dive with. |
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Posts: 2754
Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | GMG- I have done quite a bit of scuba diving in my younger days, and have my PADI Senior Advanced certification. Would definitely recommend it as a form of recreation/hobby. I'm sure there must be a few dive shop's near where you live. However, as pointed out it can cost a bit to get into. You should consider a dry suit if you want to swim with muskies.
Ocean diving, i.e., reefs etc are a blast. Diving in murky water is a challenge, i.e., orientation, etc. But then again so is night diving. Every dive I've been on has had positive rewards, even when the visability was 1 foot.
Before you even sign up/put the money down for a scuba course, get a 100% complete physical. I mean a "flight physical" i.e., the same physical that a jet pilot would have to pass. You may have medical conditions that would stop you from diving. Diving with scuba at 30, 60, 100 feet or more is very different than just jumping into the pool or lake while holding your breath, i.e., free diving. Things can happen that could kill you. That's why a physical and good training/certification is important. With practive and mask, fins, snorkel it's fairly easy to reach 40-50 feet free diving. The problem is you're only down there for seconds without a scuba tank.
However, finding a dive buddy can be a major pain in the a$$. Absolutely never dive alone, your life is not worth the adventure. Old treasure is a tough one, but there is a lot of man made stuff in most waters, the best is usually dock's & marina's. People drop an unbelievable amount of stuff into the water and then have no way to retrieve it.
I'd recommend checking out a few dive shop's in your area.
http://directory.google.com/Top/Recreation/Outdoors/Scuba_Diving/Re...
As for training & certification it's an absolute necessity. You can't buy or rent things like regulators and tanks without it. Don't be afraid to ask for references and questions of your instructor, i.e., their level of certifications, how often they conduct training courses, etc. Local dive club's are also a good information resource.
Have fun
Al
Edited by ESOX Maniac 7/24/2004 7:51 AM
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Posts: 60
Location: Germantown,wi | Gander, I am from Germantown and am working on my divemaster (first professional rank). I recommend Underwater Connection in Menomonee Falls, the Milwaukee areas only 5 star Padi facility. I think that the cost for open water cert. is 299. If I can help at all shoot me an email.
Gary
[email protected] |
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| Hey Gander. There's another website called something like fishinginfo.com. There's a guy that always posts on the WI/Madison Area lakes forum that goes by the name of rk diver. He's always diving in lakes in S. WI (mostly on the Madison Chain) and posts his findings. Some guys have hooked up with him to find their gear/rod/reels that went overboard... and his reports are interesting as hell too. He might be a cool guy to get in touch with.
Mark |
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Posts: 1936
Location: Eau Claire, WI | I worked as a PADI (Professional Assoc. of Dive Instructors or...Put Another Dollar In... take your pick..hehe) Instructor and Divemaster for many years, even did some light commercial work as well as rescue/recovery work for the fire dept. Previous post is correct on rough cost of basic certification.
New gear choosing middle of the road quality will cost roughly $1,200... Used stuff is ok but you need to know what your looking at. Take the course first then consider purchasing your personal gear (mask, fins, snorkel) and from there work your way into a full set, you can always rent.
A partner is a must and as previously mentioned can be a pain in the butt to find.. Diving is not an armchair sport, you need to remain active to stay proficient with your skills. It's allot like riding a bike but if you are inactive for over a year it is strongly advised that you take a refresher course.
Visibility...3-4 feet isn't much and many people have a difficult time psychologically with very limited visibility diving. There are a few really clear lakes but most are not musky lakes. Stained water such as anything on the Wisconsin, Chippewa river systems is very limited visibilty below 6 feet of depth, most often less than 3 feet.
It's a ton of fun in clear water...Look up a local diveshop the certifies under the PADI or NAUI agencies and you should find competent instructors under either program. |
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