Thailand: first ever dive info/advice

You really shouldn't be diving without any qualifications - it is a
"dangerous" sport (though only if you don't know what you are doing).
Do a Try Dive - that will tell you if you really want to do anything
else. If you like that, get yourself on an OpenWater course. If
possible, do the try dive and theory here in the UK (local dive club
should be able to help), and then do a Referral O/W course in Thailand -
that will save you from spending time in a classroom whilst on holiday.


rc wrote:
> I'll be in Thailand for the first 2 weeks of October. I've never dived
> before whatsoever and wondered if this would be a good thing to try out
> while in Thailand.
> Clearly I won't have the expertise to assess any given dive shop, if
> their gear is any good etc, and I don't know where to dive, nor what to
> look out for with weather and sea conditions.
>
> I don't want to try and get any qualification, just have a go.
>
> Being optimistic: going for a couple of days diving with a reputable
> dive shop should be easy, safe and fun. (any recommendations?)
>
> Being pessimistic: this is a bit stupid - I ought to have a vague idea
> what I'm doing before I think about giving it a go.
>
> Any advice? (including if I ought to have posted this elsewhere!)
>
> Cheers,
> rc
>

You really shouldn't be diving without any qualifications - it is a
"dangerous" sport (though only if you don't know what you are doing).
Do a Try Dive - that will tell you if you really want to do anything
else. If you like that, get yourself on an OpenWater course. If
possible, do the try dive and theory here in the UK (local dive club
should be able to help), and then do a Referral O/W course in Thailand -
that will save you from spending time in a classroom whilst on holiday.


rc wrote:
> I'll be in Thailand for the first 2 weeks of October. I've never dived
> before whatsoever and wondered if this would be a good thing to try out
> while in Thailand.
> Clearly I won't have the expertise to assess any given dive shop, if
> their gear is any good etc, and I don't know where to dive, nor what to
> look out for with weather and sea conditions.
>
> I don't want to try and get any qualification, just have a go.
>
> Being optimistic: going for a couple of days diving with a reputable
> dive shop should be easy, safe and fun. (any recommendations?)
>
> Being pessimistic: this is a bit stupid - I ought to have a vague idea
> what I'm doing before I think about giving it a go.
>
> Any advice? (including if I ought to have posted this elsewhere!)
>
> Cheers,
> rc
>

I realise I'll need to have some training before diving in the sea (and
that even then this will be with a guide) but if this is only e.g. an
hour in a pool or in the shallows, before I can go out for a "proper"
dive in the sea with a guide, that's great.
If I am going to have to go through a full day (or more) in a pool
before I get out to swim with the fish, this sounds worth doing in the
UK beforehand.
Doing a 'try dive' locally sounds like it could be worthwhile anyway,
so I have the first clue what I am doing!

As to where I'll be - it is totally flexible. I'll have to fly to the
coast from Bangkok anyway so can head wherever is good.

Thanks. rc

I realise I'll need to have some training before diving in the sea (and
that even then this will be with a guide) but if this is only e.g. an
hour in a pool or in the shallows, before I can go out for a "proper"
dive in the sea with a guide, that's great.
If I am going to have to go through a full day (or more) in a pool
before I get out to swim with the fish, this sounds worth doing in the
UK beforehand.
Doing a 'try dive' locally sounds like it could be worthwhile anyway,
so I have the first clue what I am doing!

As to where I'll be - it is totally flexible. I'll have to fly to the
coast from Bangkok anyway so can head wherever is good.

Thanks. rc

I realise I'll need to have some training before diving in the sea (and
that even then this will be with a guide) but if this is only e.g. an
hour in a pool or in the shallows, before I can go out for a "proper"
dive in the sea with a guide, that's great.
If I am going to have to go through a full day (or more) in a pool
before I get out to swim with the fish, this sounds worth doing in the
UK beforehand.
Doing a 'try dive' locally sounds like it could be worthwhile anyway,
so I have the first clue what I am doing!

As to where I'll be - it is totally flexible. I'll have to fly to the
coast from Bangkok anyway so can head wherever is good.

Thanks. rc

I realise I'll need to have some training before diving in the sea (and
that even then this will be with a guide) but if this is only e.g. an
hour in a pool or in the shallows, before I can go out for a "proper"
dive in the sea with a guide, that's great.
If I am going to have to go through a full day (or more) in a pool
before I get out to swim with the fish, this sounds worth doing in the
UK beforehand.
Doing a 'try dive' locally sounds like it could be worthwhile anyway,
so I have the first clue what I am doing!

As to where I'll be - it is totally flexible. I'll have to fly to the
coast from Bangkok anyway so can head wherever is good.

Thanks. rc

I realise I'll need to have some training before diving in the sea (and
that even then this will be with a guide) but if this is only e.g. an
hour in a pool or in the shallows, before I can go out for a "proper"
dive in the sea with a guide, that's great.
If I am going to have to go through a full day (or more) in a pool
before I get out to swim with the fish, this sounds worth doing in the
UK beforehand.
Doing a 'try dive' locally sounds like it could be worthwhile anyway,
so I have the first clue what I am doing!

As to where I'll be - it is totally flexible. I'll have to fly to the
coast from Bangkok anyway so can head wherever is good.

Thanks. rc

I realise I'll need to have some training before diving in the sea (and
that even then this will be with a guide) but if this is only e.g. an
hour in a pool or in the shallows, before I can go out for a "proper"
dive in the sea with a guide, that's great.
If I am going to have to go through a full day (or more) in a pool
before I get out to swim with the fish, this sounds worth doing in the
UK beforehand.
Doing a 'try dive' locally sounds like it could be worthwhile anyway,
so I have the first clue what I am doing!

As to where I'll be - it is totally flexible. I'll have to fly to the
coast from Bangkok anyway so can head wherever is good.

Thanks. rc

rc <rconnors@its.leeds.ac.uk> wrote:
> Doing a 'try dive' locally sounds like it could be worthwhile anyway,
> so I have the first clue what I am doing!

DON'T DO IT !

I was a perfectly normal person with friends and hobbies and then
I did a 'Try Dive'. They tell you it can't hurt. They tell you the
first one's all you have to pay for. They tell you you can stop
any time you want.

It's all lies.
Those damn compressed gases.
One breath and you're hooked.
Forever.

nigelH

rc <rconnors@its.leeds.ac.uk> wrote:
> Doing a 'try dive' locally sounds like it could be worthwhile anyway,
> so I have the first clue what I am doing!

DON'T DO IT !

I was a perfectly normal person with friends and hobbies and then
I did a 'Try Dive'. They tell you it can't hurt. They tell you the
first one's all you have to pay for. They tell you you can stop
any time you want.

It's all lies.
Those damn compressed gases.
One breath and you're hooked.
Forever.

nigelH