Hello from Pennsylvania

[aerospot]

Last March the wife and I took a week out and visited my cousin in Marathon Florida. We took a couple snorkel trips out to the reef when someone recommended 'Snuba'. Noticing a dive shop with 'Snuba' offered, we did a highway 1 u'ie and plucked my buck for the next morning's outing.
Arriving early enough to get fitted with a shortie and some brief instructions, we joined a group of divers on board and made our way out to "Pillar Patch" and "The Horseshoe". That was it, I was hooked.
I will be doing my open water dives in August and anxiously anticipate returning to those same places, and many others! My only regret,... why didn't I do this sooner!?!?

Here are some pictures.http://aerospot.5gbfree.com/WebPics%...eys/index.html

Dave

[Sarah]

Hi Big Dave, welcome to the ScubaMagazine.net Forum..

I think everybody who tries scuba wonders what they were thinking not doing it before!

[acelockco]

Aerospot,

Next month after you get your c-card, drop me an email and I will guide you to some nice diving areas right here in PA. Good luck in your class.

[Locke]

Hello everyone i just signed to ScubaMagazine and decided to announce myself.
I am currently working in Saudi Arabia where i did my PADI Training and i have recently complete the Advance Water Course. I am into underwater photography (i'll post photos ASAP).
I am planning for the next year a diving trip in Philippines and i would like as much information you can provide through your experiences in that area (diving, locations, hotels, diving packages etc.)

Thanks in advance,

Locke

[lottie]

Hey Dave, welcome aboard. I think most of us wish we'd started scuba diving sooner than we did, but once you've done your Open Water, I'm sure they'll be no stopping you!!!

[aerospot]

Hey Dave, welcome aboard. I think most of us wish we'd started scuba diving sooner than we did, but once you've done your Open Water, I'm sure they'll be no stopping you!!!

There's an issue of $$ that will slow me from the pace I would like to have but you're right, no stopping me now!!

Thanks for the reply!

Dave

[aerospot]

Aerospot,

Next month after you get your c-card, drop me an email and I will guide you to some nice diving areas right here in PA. Good luck in your class.

I'm located near Erie at the NW corner of the state. My house is 1 mile from Lake Erie. I have anticipated many dives onto the various wreck sites that dot the Erie shoreline. Other than that I really hadnt considered other dive locations here in the keystone state...

For sure the once or twice per year vacations to tropical reefs wont be enough to keep me satisfied. And talk of a dry-suit to dive below the thermolcline in Lake Erie doesn't excite me... (I've ordered a 7mm Farmer John)

I'll definitely be in touch! Thanks!!

Dave

[aerospot]

Hi Big Dave, welcome to the ScubaMagazine.net Forum..

I think everybody who tries scuba wonders what they were thinking not doing it before!

I guess that the XL John I just ordered qualifies me for the "Big Dave" moniker but,... I'm workin on it...

Thanks for the warm greetings. It would be an honor and privilege to mix bubbles with you and others in this board someday!

Dave

[acelockco]

And talk of a dry-suit to dive below the thermolcline in Lake Erie doesn't excite me... (I've ordered a 7mm Farmer John)

Dave

Welcome aboard Dave,

I am also a PA diver. Let me tell you something before you spend the money on the 7mm Farmer John. The thought of diving with a dry suit should really excite you. I started out using a 7mm farmer john and froze my rear end off for a long time. I always thought of the huge expense of the dry suit and then thought it would be a real pain to use, put on, take off and uncomfortable. Well let me tell you I was WRONG on every count, except the cost.

Drysuits are very expensive, but there are deals to be found if you take your time and really look. As far as everything else goes, they are obviously much warmer than any wetsuit. They are easy to put on and take off (back zippers require someone to unzip and zip you up). They are comfortable to wear and are not that hot at the surface. I can suit up and be pretty comfortable while getting gear ready in 85-90 degree weather. Once the suit is on, it just feels like you are ready to go skiing, not uncomfortable in the least. They are really easy to use, and a quick few hour pool session will have you ready.

If you have any questions about dry suits, I will be happy to help you out. If you dive wet, one of two things will happen. 1. You will eventually decide you are tired of being uncomfortable and cold all of the time and will break down and buy a dry suit. After you get it, you will slap yourself for not getting a dry suit earlier. 2. You will dive less because you are always cold, and that sucks!

You can take the class for about $60-90 and it includes the use of a drysuit so you can decide on your own before you invest in the dry suit.

[Daddy-h2O]

Check out local clubs and quarries. We were part of DUI Dog days for less than $15 we were able to dive in all the DUI drysuits we wanted for a day and then they provided coupons for $200 off a purchase. (Keeping in mind that these suits are at the high end) A few weeks later at the same quarry they had White dry suits there doing something similar. If all else fails your local shop may offer a Drysuit experiance in a pool. (This is how I changed my mind) With the drysuit I have been able to dive year round and I am North of you- near Syracuse NY) I like being in a wetsuit in asmuch as I feel more part of the enviroment, but the diving during the winter monthes can be awe inspiring as fresh water vis can be as much 60' or better in some of our lakes. Minimual boat traffic and no alge blooms to destroy the viz.

Don't rule one out completly, because the minute you get drysuit certified you will again kick yourself for not doing this sooner! Ofcourse drysuit diving is not for everyone and thats okay too.