Just joined

[Andy]

Hi

I passed my open water just in time to go diving in Mauritius in April, bit of a difference to winter in lake district, my first question is as I am shortsighted so far i have been diving in contact lenses. This means all the skills have been done with closed eyes; would anyone recommend investing in prescription lenses and does it make the experience any different?

I have only 9 logged dives so still have a lot to learn!

Thanks

Andy

[acelockco]

First things first, CONGRATS on your new certification! Welcome to our cool hangout on the web.

Now, I can barely see without my glasses, but I am able to do fine without anything special during my dives. I am nearsighted, so I can read my gauges without a problem and the first few feet are not too bad. Now I also generally dive in very low visibility places anyway.

I have used contacts in the past, and that works great. If you do already have contacts, then just wear them.

[Andy]

Thanks for the advice, I went into my local dive store (Warrington England)with my birthday spending money, intending on getting fins, and spent the lot on an Oceanic wetsuit & shortie as I am going to Spain in a few weeks! When I have more money, are there any leading designs? I have tried the Mares which seem OK but was recommended the Oceanic fins as a good value starter.

Andy

[acelockco]

Andy,

Do a search for Leg Kicking on this site and you will find a thread started by Lottie on the subject of fins. There are as many opinions as there are fins, so get what works best for you. I personally like the old style vented fins like the IDI, Turtles, Scuba Pro Jet fins, Dacor Turbo Flex, ect.

Ace

[lottie]

Hey Andy,
Welcome to the boards and congrats on getting your OW cert. I admire your courage of diving in England (not something that I would do - I'm an expat brit), I prefer the warm-waters

But Mauritius must have been good for diving? Can you elaborate on the diving out there?

Here's a link to the Leg Kicking thread that Ace mentioned
Leg Kicking - ScubaMagazine.net Forum

[Phlocker]

Andy,
I am near sighted as well, but the water acts as a Magnifyer as well. So when I am underwater everything seems equal and I have no trouble judging distances like some of my 20/20 friends do. Good luck and welcome to the 2/3rds of the world that you have never seen.

[Andy]

Thanks for the expert opinion Ace, maybe I can pick your brains about another subject soon!

[acelockco]

Thanks for the expert opinion Ace, maybe I can pick your brains about another subject soon!

Anytime, I love to help out.

Ace