Big Diesel asked:


I’m interested in scuba diving in California any tips?

metaphysics1221 asked:


I want to put a wireless camera under water a good bit (more than ten feet) and I want to be able to transmit the signal to a station above water. If I was to extend the antenna until it broke the surface (not a problem with this application) will that work?

Constant Wanderer asked:


What scuba school did you attend? How much was it? What can you say about the scuba school?

Manoj Gursahani asked:


For me, arriving at Bali was a travellers’ delight. Nothing could beat travel fatigue better than the friendly, smiling Balinese faces at the Customs and Immigrations at the Denpasar airport and the ‘ Visa on arrival’ stamped on my passport for 10 USD in 15 minutes flat!
I had heard that Bali was an island of temples, dances, and age-old rituals; with over 95 per cent of the 3 million people practice a form of Hinduism. But nothing prepared me for the spot-on recital of ‘Gayatri Mantra’ by my taxi driver, followed by a song from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai in the same breath. I was amazed by the Bollywood craze in this Far East city, so much so, that I was instantly labelled ‘from Shah Rukh Khan’s country’ by every taxi driver and local I met!
Arriving at the airport, most tourists head straight for the beach areas of Kuta, Sanur, Jimbaran or Nusa Dua, I chose Kuta simply because it is still arguably the centre of night life activities along with an array of shops, boutiques, and galleries- what more could I ask for!
Bali offers a vast section of hotels for all budgets, right from simple and cheap accommodation for backpackers to five star hotels with indulgent spas for those seeking pure luxury. I stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel, a stone’s throw away from the Kuta beach.
At sunset, the Kuta beach comes alive, with people wanting to enjoy the stunning panorama. Teeming tourist, locals selling the colourful sarongs and batiks and a Balinese dance performance somewhere on endless stretch of the beach…and if you want to dance away into the wee hours of the morning, you wont be disappointed- pubbing is amazing in Kuta, with a wide choice of with pubs and discos that offer a vibrant nightlife.
The best way to enjoy Kuta is by simply asking the locals, who are very friendly an always ready to help you. I was lucky to have a very successful Indian friend in Indonesia- Kishore Pridhnani, who along with his wife Radha took me for a night tour of all the chic places in Kuta. The one that left a lasting impression on my mind was Ku De Ta, a fancy restaurant overlooking the beach. I absolutely loved the ambience in the night and would recommend this restaurant to anyone.
However, if your kind of vacation is to relax and chill out, head to the southern peninsula, with world-class, self-contained luxury hotels set on quiet stretches of beach of Sanur and Nusa Dua, as well as in Jimbaran Bay. (which is also very popular for very reasonable Sea food) These white sand beaches dotted by thousands of mangrove and coconut trees and sheltered by coral reefs, create an ideal haven for honeymooners or those preferring solitude.
To take a break from the hustle and bustle of Kuta, I headed for Ubud, which I must say has retained the feel of a cosy village retreat, despite of the growing tourism industry. Ubud is the arts and crafts capital of Bali, so in addition to streets lined with lined with shops and workshops specialising in traditional crafts, there are a number of different art galleries and museums to visit.
The next I headed for a day-trip cruise from Benoa Harbor that took me to the Lembongan Island, a popular spot for surfers and scuba divers. (at approx. USD 60 onwards for the day-cruise inclusive of lunch, I think it’s a worth a visit). Arriving on the white sandy beaches of Lembongan Bay, you can take the guided snorkelling trips and glass-bottom boat cruise or simply walk amidst the native Balinese villages
If you want to take a break from the beach scenario, I suggest a trip into the cool mountains of Kintamani with its green rice fields, the placid Lake Batur that rests in a huge crater and the impressive Gunung Batur volcano that dominates the landscape. The evenings tend to get cooler, so carry a warm pullover or a shawl and make sure you have camera with you to capture the spectacular view of Mt Batur.
Bali is one of the Spa Capitals of the world where you can indulge yourself in a spa treatment at very reasonable prices. If you want to spoil yourself then you can sample from an elaborate menu of lulur massages, rice-paste exfoliations, flower petal aroma baths and indulgent cream baths. I would suggest you check some of the local spas that work spa therapies into your holiday schedule on a daily basis. And don’t forget the traditional drinks made of herbs and roots- ‘jamu’, a local Balinese remedy for fatigue, headaches, aching bones or chills.
For the adventurous and sporty, Bali offers a host of adrenaline-pumping water-sports, both below and above water. Surfing, scuba diving, banana boats, snorkelling, parasailing, Jet Ski, Bungee Jumping, Bali offers it all.
Do try the river rafting on the Ayung River amidst a wild tropical forest. Ride the fast-flowing Ayung river as it carves its way with numerous hairpin curves and swirling rapids. A full day programme would only cost you about USD 35 onwards and I found the experience thoroughly stimulating.
For those who love underwater world and always wanted to dive, there is spectacular scuba diving and snorkelling off the unspoiled coral reefs around the island, with the most amazing and colourful underwater life. There are even learner’s courses by qualified professional instructors for the amateurs (you can take a day’s course for less than USD 100)
And while you are on the beach enjoying the water sports, do indulge in the locals who cajole you into trying hair braiding, getting tattoo done or even have a relaxing massage.
If you are travelling with your kids, be sure to take them to the Waterboom Park. My kids and I enjoyed a day of waterslides and pools in all sizes with restaurants and snack bars within arms reach…good family fun for kids of all ages!
When you feel like venturing outside for a meal, there are lots of breezy open sided bamboo cafes serving authentic Balinese food as well as an array of sumptuous international cuisine. But for those who miss Indian food, I suggest you try out a delicious meal at the Queen’s Tandoor in Seminyak, where the owners Puneet and Neeta Malhotra go out of the way to pamper you with personal attention.
Another big pastime here is shopping!
For those who do not want to wander too far from the beach, Sanur, Kuta and Ubud have more than enough to appease any shopper, from sarongs and sandals to wooden statues, stone carvings and iron and bronze works. But if you are keen on shopping, you can buy branded stuff from malls like Mahatari or also look for Factory Sales of branded clothes.
You’ll find the ultimate in open-air market browsing in southern Bali, where traditional Asian-style shopping still thrives. Do check out the local painting styles. I suggest, you always go in at less than a third of the price and even walk away, until you get the price you want. .
And before you leave Bali don’t forget to buy their chilly sauce called Sambal (its one of it’s kind and you can even pick it up at the duty free at Bali Airport.)
From the locals raving over Shah Rukh Khan to the colourful Balinese-Hindu culture, this tropical paradise lures Indians, not just by its natural exquisiteness but more importantly by its culture and the warmth of the Balinese people.
With Bali becoming more accessible and affordable, with cheap extension packages from Kuala Lumpur or Singapore and great deals from Garuda Indonesia Airlines that have daily flights connecting the Island for as little as USD 160 for a round trip ticket, I would defiantly recommend this island getaway as your next travel itinerary!

Hall Andrew asked:


There are several sports in the world that are quite engaging. But if you want to participate in a sport that provides you with the most exhilarating feeling and the most scenic sites, you might want to start scuba diving. Nothing can compare to the feeling of being able to float without effort under the sea. You can see ship wrecks, colorful fishes, and beautiful corals. When you take up scuba diving, you will be able to view a world that is completely different from the one that you are living on. You will be able to enjoy this sport fully if you take up scuba diving classes and earn a certification for it. But before you enroll for this kind of class, you might want to know more regarding diving certificates.
 
Wherever you are in the world, whether you are in the USA or Europe, you will be able to register in a diving school. If you are located in London, scuba diving lessons are offered along with diving trips and holidays. This means that you will get to enjoy diving in popular diving spots such as Malta and the Red Sea. Before you can experience the underwater beauty of these locations, you have to know the basics of your diving certification. In order for you to join scuba diving trips with famous dive shops, you have to obtain the c-card or certification card. This can be acquired through enrolling in a certification course for scuba diving and passing it.
 
There are two primary courses to take up if you want to earn a certificate. These are NAUI courses and PADI courses. London can offer you a certain course certificate if you enroll in one of its diving schools. One of the scuba diving schools is London Diving. When you take part of the classes in London Diving, you will get the chance to be able start travelling out and diving in several of the world’s most beautiful diving spots. You will have the opportunity to gaze at undersea wonders. London scuba diving is fun, especially if you do it together with your family since London Diving offers its classes to people of all ages.
 
Other than NAUI courses and PADI courses, London also offers the SSI or YMCA agencies for diving certification. You will receive your c-card from the scuba diving shop that you are training from. This training school should be affiliated with certification agencies, especially from those that are highly recognized. If you are taking up diving as a recreation, the most appropriate certification for you would be open water. Your London scuba certification does not expire. This means that you will be able to participate in dives for the rest of your life. What is more, you are not required to take up other training. It is up to you whether you will take up further scuba diving courses or not.
 
When you want to take up PADI courses, London Diving is a recommended training school for families. Its courses can be taken up by almost everybody. You can start with simple underwater rebreather to advanced depth diving. London Diving is regarded as a professional and friendly dive center that is affiliated with PADI. This dive center does not only offer beginner’s PADI courses. London Diving also offers training classes for instructors and professional divers. A few of the courses of the center includes open water diver, rescue diver, first aid, and master scuba diver. Its specialty courses include digital photographer, night diver, deep diver, and others.
 
 

Dianne Rein asked:


So you are thinking about getting your scuba diving certification but aren’t sure what it entails? We’ll go through the details here.

Scuba diving is a wonderful sport and you will be able to enjoy it for many years to come. There’s nothing like floating effortlessly underwater and seeing all the beautiful fish, coral, wrecks, etc. Certification will open up a whole new world for you.

First, let’s start with the basics. What exactly is scuba diving certification?

In order to go scuba diving with any reputable dive shop, you must have a certification card (more commonly known as a c-card). You obtain this card by taking and passing a dive certification course. Once you pass this course, you receive your c-card and you are good to go.

The two main certification agencies are PADI and NAUI. Other agencies, such as YMCA and SSI, also offer scuba diving certification but NAUI and PADI are the most widely recognized.

The dive shop (or other entity) that you take your training from will be affiliated with one of these agencies. That is who you will receive your card from.

The most common scuba diving certification for recreational divers is the open water diver. Once you finish this course and pass the tests and dives, you receive your c-card. Once you receive your card, you are certified for life. There is no other mandatory training. There is other optional training you can do, but nothing more is required before you can start diving.

What are the requirements for taking a certification course?

As far as age goes, for PADI you must be 10 or older to take the course. Students younger than 15 will receive the PADI Junior Open Water Diver certification. It can then be upgraded to PADI Open Water Diver certification upon reaching 15. For Naui, you must be 12 or older to take the course.

Basically you should be in good physical shape and be comfortable in the water. A clearance from your doctor would be a good idea if you have any doubts.

During the course you will have to be able to swim 200 yards. However, you can use any stroke and there is no time limit on how long it takes. You also have to tread water or float for 10 minutes. Again, you can use any methods you want.

The course itself can be broken into 4 major segments:

1. Book work

2. Exams

3. Pool training

4. Open water dives

The amount of time it takes to get our scuba diving certification depends on what avenue you take. There are intensive weekend courses where you can do all your book work and pool work in one weekend. This option usually involves advance reading. I think this could be a bit overwhelming if you have no prior experience but many people opt for this route.

At the opposite end are the options where you meet over the course of several weeks to do your book and pool work. This is the option I chose. The class met once a week for 6 weeks. The first part of the night involved the classroom (about 1 1/4 hours) followed by pool work (about 1 1/2 hours).

A recent introduction are the on-line certification courses which allows you to do the book portion of your scuba diving certification from anywhere.

You get a referral to do your open water dives after you successfully complete the book and pool work. Your open water dives are usually done in a lake, quarry or ocean. You typically do these dives over the course of 2 days. Certification usually requires 4 or 5 successful open water dives. You also have to do your open water dives within a certain amount of time of receiving your referral.

During your open water dives, you will perform the skills you learned in class for the instructor. This involves such skills as clearing your mask, buddy breathing, etc. Once you successfully pass the open water dives, you will receive your c-card.

As far as the cost of certification, prices for the course and pool work portion can range anywhere from around $150 to several hundred. I think $200-$250 is probably about average. If you take book portion online through PADI, the course currently costs $120 (you still have to pay for your in water training and open water dive portions).

Adding in the cost of your open water dives, the total cost of dive certification will probably be about $350-$450.

Hopefully I have answered most of your questions about getting certified. Give it a try, you won’t regret it!

John Anton asked:


A recent article in the Wall Street Journal named Roatan the Caribbean’s next “it” spot – an underdeveloped island that is poised to become a major tourist destination.

These days there is a definite buzz about this peaceful island lying just 30 miles off the coast of Honduras. No wonder: Roatan features lush tropical forests, warm turquoise water, and sugar white beaches without the crowds.

Continental Airlines now flies directly to the islands from Newark, New Jersey, and Houston, Texas. Delta flies directly from Atlanta, Georgia. Major cruise lines are stopping by more frequently, and both Carnival Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean are expanding their ship terminals to bring more passengers. Celebrities including Michael Douglas and Richard Gere have been spotted on the island in recent months.

Roatan has long been famous among scuba diving aficionados. The island sits atop the world’s second-largest barrier reef system and features some of the best diving in the Western Hemisphere. Scuba diving is still the main attraction drawing visitors to the island.

But Roatan offers much more than diving and makes a great family vacation destination.

Whether visiting with your family, making a stop-over on a cruise ship, or taking a break from diving, here are five Roatan adventures you can enjoy.

1) Zip Through the Rain Forest. Roatan features lush tropical forests where wild parrots and monkeys roam freely. A canopy tour is a great way to get close to nature while having some exhilarating fun. Guests climb to a tree-top platform, and then move among the trees by gliding on zip lines or walking over swinging bridges. It’s a thrilling ride.

Roatan has several canopy tours from which you can chose. Palmetto Bay features a 20 platform tour that includes a climbing wall and swinging bridges. The West Bay also features a 16 platform tour including two bridges. Please keep in mind that canopy tours require children to be at least four feet tall.

2) Swim with the Dolphins. The Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences on the island’s north shore features several dolphin encounter programs that are open to the public.

One of the most popular tours on the island is their dolphin swim. Guests are taken to Bailey’s Key, a white-sand island frequented by schools of dolphin. During an initial 20-minute beach encounter, trainers coax the dolphin to join your group, giving you a chance to pet them.

Guests can then snorkel and swim freely with the dolphins in 20 feet of water. Guests are accompanied by a dolphin behaviorist and videographer and photographer to capture the memories. The dolphin swim requires children to be at least 13 years old.

Divers can also chose the institute’s Dolphin Dive program, which lets you interact with dolphins off a reef wall in 60 feet of water. This dive lasts approximately 45 minutes. Participants in the Dolphin Dive must be certified scuba divers.

Not enough for you? The institute also offers a Trainer for a Day program, which gives you the chance go behind the scenes and work with the staff as they feed and care for the dolphins. Participants will learn dolphin training techniques during a hands-on session with the dolphins.

3) See Coral While Staying Dry. Even if you are not a diver, you can get a glimpse of Roatan’s gorgeous reef formations with a ride on the Coral Reef Explorer. This glass-bottomed boat seats 25 persons below the water line in air conditioned comfort. Passengers look through windows at multi-colored coral, tropical fish and graceful Spotted Eagle Rays.

The Coral Reef Explorer departs daily from West Bay Beach and you can expect the tour to last approximately 50 minutes.

4) Horseback Tours. What could be more romantic than a horseback ride along Roatan’s pristine white beaches? Guided horseback tours start in West End, passing through some of Roatan’s best scenery before ending at the West Bay, where you can take a quick swim.

Tours last approximately 90 minutes and are suitable for beginners as well as experienced riders.

5) Pet an Iguana. Perhaps the most unusual attraction on Roatan is Sherman Arch’s Iguana Farm. This private preserve is real treasure and a real treat for kids.

Over 2,700 of the big, spiny lizards roam freely on its grounds, which are located just east of French Harbor. The iguanas are tame, having been raised in cages until old enough to fend for themselves. Come during the early afternoon feeding for the best chance to hold and pet an iguana.

More to See and Do

TropicalRez, a Roatan central booking agency, can assist you in booking Roatan hotels and tours.

The Honduran Ministry of Tourism web site features a good overview of Roatan and the other Honduras Bay Islands.

Mohd Hasif Idris asked:


Scuba is the acronym that refers to Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus, and it is through this equipment that many different kinds of underwater exploration are possible, though today it also means various groups all over the world that scuba dive for the enjoyment and wonder that it brings a diver. Almost every seaside destination has some kind of diving program that can help a person gain experience in the particular location of their choice, whether tropical or more coastal America, and it is these exotic locales that many people decide to visit in order to gain a great amount of experience in order to dive in more hazardous or plausibly dangerous spots.

Being self-contained, the diver does not need to be just a few meter below the surface of the water, but instead can get one of the closest contacts to the underwater ecosystem that happens to be there for the diver’s analysis. The diver carries all the necessary gear to allow for them to breath comfortably under the water, and in the environment of the water, the equipment doesn’t seem as heavy as it might feel on land. Some divers choose to rely solely on fins and their own strength to glide around the water, but others choose to use motorized small vehicles to propel them further along, still others attach themselves to devices that keep them tethered to a boat somewhere floating above them.

Scuba diving is still an evolving form of undertaking, but there are some general classifications that have appeared over the short time that scuba diving has been a valid term in use that aren’t limited to the terms as follows, such as recreational diving and technical diving though can also be taken to mean military and commercial diving as well. The category depends upon the choice of the diver, and the supplied equipment that is used depending on the diver’s particular need, all these things come together to better allow the diver to understand what they do and how to do it better.

Robert T asked:


I am about to sign up at a PADI certified diving place, to learn to scuba dive. I am 14 years old and I need to know that I can become completely open water certified. I would also appreciate anyone that could give me a few websites that I can buy gear from. I would like to purchase all of my own gear, wetsuit, tank, bc, regulators, mask, snorkel, everything. I live in Ohio near Lake Erie and have gone to lake Huron to visit family. I believe both are classified as temperate waters. Any tips possible would be greatly appreciated.

Michelle Bery asked:


There’s nothing quite as mysterious as that which is contained underwater. Since the beginning of time, man has attempted to explore the deep of the sea; to investigate the secrets it holds. The modern equivalent of this exploration is scuba diving - a one-man voyage that can yield enormous adventure. But before you can dive, you must crawl, so to speak.

Deciding whether scuba diving is right for you depends solely on your personality. If you’re someone who enjoys swimming, exploring, and adventurous activities, then chances are you will thoroughly enjoy scuba diving. However, in order to complete the training and scuba dive safely and successfully you must also be in good physical health.

If you have an interest in scuba diving you can get your feet wet through scuba instruction. In order to participate in scuba diving in open water, you must be trained and certified in scuba. You can find a host of training facilities in towns and cities throughout the world - regardless of whether or not you live near the ocean. Scuba diving instruction is given in indoor pools because of the controlled environment. But before water work even begins, students are given extensive classroom instruction to familiarize them with the essentials of scuba diving.

Once in the pool, the instructor will put the classroom instruction into practice, allowing students to practice techniques associated with scuba diving. Scuba diving instruction can take place over many weeks; it is imperative that students receive thorough training in order to ensure their safety. The culmination of training will be your certification in scuba diving. And you’re on your way.

Reputable instructors can certainly point you in the direction of finding scuba gear that will be essential for your dives. Equipment necessary for scuba diving includes a wetsuit, flippers, eye and face mask, and oxygen tank and accessories. You also have the ability to rent equipment prior to any dives; just be sure that you are taken out by scuba professionals who are reputable and experienced.

Scuba diving can be an unbelievable experience that will forever transform you. Take the steps necessary to ensure your safety and the rest is pure enjoyment.