Nassau scuba

As things turn out my wife and I are going on another cruise to Freeport,
Nassau (the trip is Memorial Day weekend). We plan to go diving separately,
I use much more air than my wife and we surface and she has lors of air left
and a less than positive attitude towards me. I searched for scuba diving in
Nassau and there were quite a few listed but I don't have enough experience
to figure out which dive shop to go with.

Can I ask the assembled wisdom for advice?

On 2/9/2011 5:04 PM, Wayne Dernoncourt wrote:
As things turn out my wife and I are going on another cruise to Freeport,
Nassau (the trip is Memorial Day weekend). We plan to go diving separately,
I use much more air than my wife and we surface and she has lors of air left
and a less than positive attitude towards me. I searched for scuba diving in
Nassau and there were quite a few listed but I don't have enough experience
to figure out which dive shop to go with.

Can I ask the assembled wisdom for advice?


As a multi certified diver since the late 70's with over 1200 dives in
my log, I can offer some advice.

The first thing I would suggest is to get re-certified at home using
Nitrox if you aren't already a Nitrox certified diver. Nitrox is a much
safer diving gas and naturally calms the diver, allowing you to use less
air. You can also ask (ahead of time) your operator to supply you with a
steel or alum 100 cu ft tank. Most operators use the std 80 cu ft tank,
but many have 100's available at a small extra charge.

Better to dive with your wife than alone with a strange dive partner.
Your dive partner is your life, and you are his/hers. I'd much rather
dive with someone I know who is looking out for me than with a stranger.

Any one day boat 1 or 2 tank dive is going to be a med depth 1st dive
(max 100-110', usually a wreak) and a shallow 2nd (50-60'). Each profile
will taper upwards so that when you start to run out of air, you will be
at 50', where you can ascend to the safety stop and boat on your own.
The other divers can continue without you until they're done or the
divemaster calls the dive. 2nd dive of the day is usually at Shark
alley, as it is an under 50' depth dive.

Personally, I've used a number of dive operations there, but like Fred
at Grand Bahama Scuba
http://www.grandbahamascuba.com/
and Unexso
http://www.unexso.com/

Both offer Nitrox and both do cruise ship dives.

Book prior to arrival and make sure they have all your information and
needs in advance.

And above all, dive safe.

On Thu, 10 Feb 2011 00:11:01 -0500, BikeRider50 wrote
(in article ):

On 2/9/2011 5:04 PM, Wayne Dernoncourt wrote:
As things turn out my wife and I are going on another cruise to Freeport,
Nassau (the trip is Memorial Day weekend). We plan to go diving separately,
I use much more air than my wife and we surface and she has lors of air left
and a less than positive attitude towards me. I searched for scuba diving
in
Nassau and there were quite a few listed but I don't have enough experience
to figure out which dive shop to go with.

Can I ask the assembled wisdom for advice?


As a multi certified diver since the late 70's with over 1200 dives in
my log, I can offer some advice.

Eagerly accepted

The first thing I would suggest is to get re-certified at home using
Nitrox if you aren't already a Nitrox certified diver. Nitrox is a much
safer diving gas and naturally calms the diver, allowing you to use less
air. You can also ask (ahead of time) your operator to supply you with a
steel or alum 100 cu ft tank. Most operators use the std 80 cu ft tank,
but many have 100's available at a small extra charge.

I'm not sure being Nitrox certified is needed, we go diving once or twice a
year. So far I've been diving less than a dozen times. BTW, I'm large,
currently 230 lbs, so far I've lost 20lbs in the past 4 months - the
eventually goal is ~200 lbs. I do like the idea of the 100 cubic foot tank,
that makes a lot of sense.

Better to dive with your wife than alone with a strange dive partner.
Your dive partner is your life, and you are his/hers. I'd much rather
dive with someone I know who is looking out for me than with a
stranger.

That's a great point.

Any one day boat 1 or 2 tank dive is going to be a med depth 1st dive
(max 100-110', usually a wreak) and a shallow 2nd (50-60'). Each profile
will taper upwards so that when you start to run out of air, you will be
at 50', where you can ascend to the safety stop and boat on your own.
The other divers can continue without you until they're done or the
divemaster calls the dive. 2nd dive of the day is usually at Shark
alley, as it is an under 50' depth dive.

Excellent advice

Personally, I've used a number of dive operations there, but like Fred
at Grand Bahama Scuba
http://www.grandbahamascuba.com/
and Unexso
http://www.unexso.com/

Both offer Nitrox and both do cruise ship dives.

Book prior to arrival and make sure they have all your information
and needs in advance.

That's why I'm asking here.

And above all, dive safe.

Always!