1) If given the opportunity, would you take up scuba diving as a sport or profession?

Question

2) Would you accept an invitation to go scuba diving in the open ocean?

3) What should I have said when the Dive Master informed me just before entering the water, that "we were going to dive to 80 feet, enter a cave, go to the back of it and exit out a lava tube .... and, There are usually 2 white tip sharks that hang out in the area." Should I have jumped in the water and trust that I'll be OK? Or should I have said "no way!" What would you have done?

Answer 1

*****The dive you described sounds pretty cool for someone like myself who has experience.

The need for local divemasters is always important, as no matter who you are, a local orientation is highly necessary.

As for diving for a profession, I have chosen not to, as I am not comfortable in conditions that have zero visibility, and gators, or other nasty conditions.

As a recreational diver, I would tell anyone that it is the greatest thing ever.  I cannot get enough.  I do however, limit myself to warm and clear waters.  As with any potentially dangerous activity, training is a must, and once you've gotten to a level of comfort as I have, you'll find nature's most awesome spectacles are under the sea.  Man needs not explore outer space, when so little is known about inner space.  ITS AWESOME!

THE POOL IS NOW OPEN!

Answer 2

diving is not for me

I think it is interesting, but definitely not for me

I am having flashbacks to that movie "Open Water"

Answer 3

1) I've been diving for over 30 years as a hobby.  I'm not sure I'd take it up as a profession, though.  

2) I'd go diving in the open ocean in a heartbeat, assuming that we had the proper equipment, support, and that the other divers were trained and experienced.

3) This depends on a lot of things.  How deep into the cave will we go?  Are we trained and equipped for cave diving?  Has the cave been explored before, or are we the first?  How big is the cave's diameter?  Can 3-4 divers swim abreast inside?  What is the visibility inside?  Is it prone to silting up?  Is it strung with guidelines already?  How deep is the exit point?  Are stage bottles hung for decompression stops?  What are the conditions - weather, current, waves?  Are there obstacles in the cave or lava tube that can snag a diver or their gear?

Notice I haven't asked about the sharks.  While they are a risk, the bigger risks are you, your buddies, and your equipment.

Answer 4

Call me a weenie, but no scuba diving is not for me.  The wet suit alone feels confining and the thought of entering a cave makes me claustrophobic.  Then I would have wet myself with the thought of sharks hanging out in a cave...

Answer 5

1. I scuba dive recreationally.  I know several people that dive or have dived commercially.  Most don't stay long in the profession.

2. Most definitely.

3. I'm not cave certified or even certified for an overhead environment so I would have sat that session out.  I like seeing sharks and white tips would be okay--I've seen bull sharks up close and then I learned that they're the most tempermental and are best seen at a distance.  Never blindly trust your buddy because they have more experience than you.  When it comes down to it, you are responsible for yourself.  Always live to dive another day.