Scuba diving

[Sandy Buttcheeks]

Does anyone dive? I am thinking of of making this top of my to-do list before I have to go onto cylinder gas for age rather than fun. Just wondered if it was worth the hassle.

 

[Diane CBPFC]

Just about everything on bucket lists are a hassle. The question is how interesting do you want your eulogy to be for the poor buggers having to sit through it?

Mine will be boring but I will arrange for nice snacks.

[Roger Kettle]

Sandy, your question rather depends on where you're intending to dive. If you're talking about the shark-infested waters off Cape Town, then it's a stupid idea. If you're talking about the haddock-infested waters off Arbroath, then it's less dangerous but equally stupid. Basically, it all boils down to how you look in a wetsuit.

[Sandy Buttcheeks]

Ach, my eulogy will be fine Diane. If it's not, no-one will notice. They'll all be to busy celebrating, and eating from a low grade finger buffet. 



I was hoping to leave the wetsuit Roger, until I decided whether I liked it or not. I had a council binbag and five of those long bendy balloons looked out, just to make do at present.

I actually fancied doing a bit of diving in the Scottish lochs, which, handily enough, don't seem to be too overly stocked in the haddock or shark department. I'm just a bit unsure of the etiquette. Should I drive in my binbag and balloons or change at the loch side? Do I just head on into a loch or is there a diving body that you have to get a permit from or they remove all the water? Do fish have the right of way underwater?

Too many question at present. More investigation needed.

And a wetsuit apparently.

 

 

[Bilthehut]

Have now stopped diving and have kit for sale.  Suggest you think of the water temp before going the binbag route.

[Diane CBPFC]

So what did you decide? Should you dive into this sport you must post a photo here of yourself in your suit, flippers and tank.

[Sandy Buttcheeks]

Have now stopped diving and have kit for sale.  Suggest you think of the water temp before going the binbag route.

It's ok Bil, the water temp shouldn't be a problem. I have an electric blower heater I am going to keep in the binbag with me. Should be safe enough.

I shall keep the kit in mind too. I am quite serious at present about going diving and have started pricing the courses.

   O
 O
O
o
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*blub*

[Sandy Buttcheeks]

So what did you decide? Should you dive into this sport you must post a photo here of yourself in your suit, flippers and tank.

I most certainly will...as long as it's a warm day.   

[Bilthehut]

Wasn't thinking of you buying any of my stuff.  I can go to the local dive club for that.

Have you looked at any BSAC local clubs? 
Re the heater - don't forget to get a long enough extension cord, and one that does not float.

[Bilthehut]

So what did you decide? Should you dive into this sport you must post a photo here of yourself in your suit, flippers and tank.

I most certainly will...as long as it's a warm day.   

They are 'Fins' and 'Cylinders'

[Sandy Buttcheeks]

Have you looked at any BSAC local clubs? 

Have indeed, Bil. There is one literally just up the road from me who meet at a swimming pool on a Monday night. Very handy and probably a good starting point. Looks like you can do the theory stuff on line too. Need to look into the different type of courses though, I read on one site about getting certified after a 3/4 day course. Much as I'm keen at present, I think I'd need a bit gentler pace than that to gain a decent amount of experience.

 

[Malc]

Can't you do the diving online too? That would seem to be the ideal solution to cold water and actually putting on all that cumbersome gear.

I used to go out with a lovely girl called Caroline who was a diver (maybe still is) and who used to keep her gear in the bath. Her big ambition was to work for the BBC Natural History unit and film animals. She created the Meerkat Manor series, so I guess she achieved her ambition and then some.

[Sandy Buttcheeks]

She must have drowned a few meerkats making that, surely?   

[Malc]

Ah, you'd be wrong. "Meerkat" is a Dutch word, meaning "sea cat", and meerkats are known for their love of water. Their opposable thumbs allow them to don their miniature diving suits and operate cylinders. Some have even been stars of TV and radio.

Sorry, that's midgets.

[Sandy Buttcheeks]

Malc, I bow to your meerkat knowledge. Impressive beyond belief. Alas however, you have erred regarding midgets. They're the things that are inside draught cans of beer to make them pour froth-like.