SCUBA Diving in Miami?

Question

So I'm going scuba diving with my Marine Biology/Marine Science teacher and I'm very excited since it is something I've always wanted to do but I've been extremely nervous about it recently because I'm afraid I might get sick and can't go or hyperventile while under.

What should I do and does anyone have any advice for me about it, also when I get certified I'd like to go often so any good places to dive in Miami, Florida?

Answer 1

Congratulations!! I've always wanted to get into marine biology.. so that's awesome!

You will NOT get sick. Whenever I dive for the first few feet under I find it very hard to breathe and I get VERY claustrophobic because of all of the equipment. This is also when you have your BCD filled up most of the way, so it squeezes in on your stomach, so it makes it harder for me to breathe. (It also depends on how  much weight you are using. I use a lot of weight, so I need more air in my BCD to keep me floating.)

And I highly doubt you will get sick. If anything, you may get sea sick on the dive boat. If you feel like you are,  make sure you are watching the coast line, and you won't get sick. When you get sea sick it is because you don't know where you are( apparently), so watching the coast will help this. If you do get sick while you're under water (You won't.. you will be WAY too fascinated to even worry about it. ;] ) If you are sick while you're under, you can throw up in your regulator if you need to. Just make sure you clear it or you will start inhaling your vomit... Haha. (I've learned this, because my dad's friend was silly and drank the night before a dive. :P)

Just STAY CALM! That is really the most advice I have for you. I went on my first dive in Mexico, and it was REALLY wavy, and everyone on the boat was really rushing us to get off of the boat. I started to freak out, and ended up with mask defog in my mouth, and once I got in the water a huge mouthfull of salt water. This was all because people were rushing me and I made myself freak out... so don't do that. Haha :]

I'm not sure about good places in Miami. But I'm sure if you look up some dive shops on google there m ay be some reviews about the places.

Have FUN! It's an AWESOME experience!!