Snorkeling and Scuba Diving Discussion

Joined
Nov 15, 2018
Messages
2,038
I work for a small company that makes underwater communications equipment as well as FFM and 2nd stage regulators. I eventually plan on getting scuba certified, when $$$ permits, which will be quite some time before doing so. :playball::deadbanana:

Anyways, I thought that maybe this might be a cool thread to make and wonder if there is anyone here on the forum that is thinking about getting scuba certified and/or is scuba certified and tell their experiences as well as post pictures of their adventures underwater.

Even snorkeling. I used to snorkel back in the day when I was a kid along the surf line. I would only go to roughly 8ft in depth, if that, but it was a very neat experience.

Finally, for those like me, I might have questions as well as others that are thinking about eventually getting scuba certified. My main job is repairing the electronics for surface and underwater communications.

I was just recently "certified" with regulator testing and rebuilding as well as with the FFMs. HAHAHAHAHA, even though I got my training and now certified, I still have PLENTY of practice that needs to be done in order to troubleshoot an issue, but at least I know how to rebuild/test an old/broken 2nd stage regulator and their respective FFM.

My certification is rebuilding and testing of the following:
Full Face Mask (FFM) -> OTS Guardian FFM and OTS Stealth FFM (i.e. the Stealth FFM is the same as the Guardian FFM :doh:, but yeah, anyways)
Full Face Mask (FFM) -> Interspiro Divator MKII FFM (a.k.a. AGA FFM)
2nd Stage Regulator -> Guardian 2nd Stage Regulator, Stealth 2nd Stage Regulator, and Interspiro Divator MKII Breathing Valve (i.e. 2nd stage regulator)

NOTE: I am not trained and/or certified for "O2 Cleaning". I barely even understand "O2 Cleaning" other than what Mr. Googl_e tells me as I have not been trained on that particular subject matter.

I'm hoping this to be a fun and interesting thread to ask questions and share experiences and pictures?
 
Last edited:

Chris In Milwaukee

Ain’t no mo’
Joined
Dec 16, 2019
Messages
3,101
Age
56
Location
North Woods, WI USA
I grew up in South Florida. My high school had a marine biology class that I was in. Had the only program in the state where we went out on weekly (skin) diving trips or marine life field trips. Did some really cool snorkeling over some of the shallow water reefs in the area. We dove the dredge shelf at the Palm Beach inlet one trip. That was cool and a bit freaky at the same time. Basically a vertical drop over 38 feet. Haven’t really done anything since, though.
 
Joined
Nov 15, 2018
Messages
2,038
I grew up in South Florida. My high school had a marine biology class that I was in. Had the only program in the state where we went out on weekly (skin) diving trips or marine life field trips. Did some really cool snorkeling over some of the shallow water reefs in the area. We dove the dredge shelf at the Palm Beach inlet one trip. That was cool and a bit freaky at the same time. Basically a vertical drop over 38 feet. Haven’t really done anything since, though.
HAHAHA, yeah, you don't have to go out very far off the California coastline to experience a vertical drop. I mean, you still have to go out pretty far, that I know of, but it isn't that far off the coast.

But yeah, I would imagine it can get a little freaky for sure knowing that the bottom is WAY DOWN THERE!!! :oops::eek::help::boltout:

What's funny is that someone might say, "yeah, but it's only 20ft, 30ft..." etc, but until you go UNDER the water and start going DEEPER, it gets pretty intense knowing and fully understanding that ANY thing can go wrong and that your survival is 20ft, 30ft, etc UP ABOVE YOU!!! :rolledeyes::noidea:
 
Last edited:
Joined
Nov 15, 2018
Messages
2,038
I started free diving with a hawaiian sling in 2005 and got SSI certified in 2006 to get after fish and lobster a little easier. Probably somewhere around 100 dives, mostly at night in October & November looking for bugs.
That's pretty cool. I was just reading about what the differences are with SSI vs PADI.
 

HavingaGoodTime4x4

FUCK CANCER
Joined
Jan 13, 2020
Messages
1,978
Age
43
Location
Costa Misery
Sidney and I go snorkeling whenever we get a chance when the water is a little warmer in September it's a lot of fun.
I would love to learn how to dive. Shit is expensive though!
 
Joined
Nov 15, 2018
Messages
2,038
Sidney and I go snorkeling whenever we get a chance when the water is a little warmer in September it's a lot of fun.
I would love to learn how to dive. Shit is expensive though!
Yeah, initially starting out getting the gear is definitely expensive.

After, not toooooo much, but to keep up and maintain the gear, yeah.

I think the traveling aspect is the most expensive if you're looking to travel the world and go diving in different parts of the world.

Me, I just want to learn it, and go on occasional trips without having to travel too far. I just want to learn at least how to do it.
 

4runner DOA

Hold my beer
Staff member
Joined
Oct 2, 2018
Messages
15,882
Location
OC
It can be super fun and rewarding. Especially of you’re any good at it. Having fresh lobster tails and doing some surf & turf is hard to beat!

View attachment 70445

I dunno about the whole diving thing, because sharks, but I've thought about getting some pots and a license for lobster and crab. I know there's some good spots you can hit off the rocks in Laguna.
 

Dezert4Runner

Pineapples belong on pizza
Joined
Oct 23, 2018
Messages
1,172
I dunno about the whole diving thing, because sharks, but I've thought about getting some pots and a license for lobster and crab. I know there's some good spots you can hit off the rocks in Laguna.
I’ve done a few spearfishing dives off Laguna and a lot of it’s now designated MLPA and off limits to most types fishing including lobster. Same thing happened to my home reef in North County I mostly dove until 2013. Lots of regulations with bug diving in general.
 

4runner DOA

Hold my beer
Staff member
Joined
Oct 2, 2018
Messages
15,882
Location
OC
I’ve done a few spearfishing dives off Laguna and a lot of it’s now designated MLPA and off limits to most types fishing including lobster. Same thing happened to my home reef in North County I mostly dove until 2013. Lots of regulations with bug diving in general.

Ahh, yeah this was awhile back I worked with someone who fished off the rocks in Laguna. No big surprise it's off limit now.
 
Top Bottom