While we realize the question of expense is a relative one, there are certain factors to consider when making your decision.  First, of course, is the matter of your own finances and how much you have set aside for entertainment and leisure.  When you compare that to the following information you should be able to get a better picture of what’s possible.  Generally speaking, the three main things you’ll be spending money on are:

Education - Your first (and best) investment will be in learning how to dive. This means taking an open water diver course and receiving your certificate upon completion.  While  attending classes at many local dive schools can cost you anywhere from $600 to $1,000, Scuba Lessons Jax is currently running a summer special for $399 that includes dive fees, gear rental, lessons, course material and lodging – essentially everything you need save for transportation and food.

Equipment - People may be intimidated by the “hardware” involved in scuba diving, but  it‘s not that complicated when you break things down.  The items recommended for basic diving include a mask, fins, snorkel, regulator, BC vest, air tank and weight belt.  The exact price of these items can vary considerably, but a complete setup will usually cost you somewhere over a thousand dollars.  At Scuba Lessons Jax equipment rental is included in the course fee, so you don’t have to acquire gear at the start (a nice perk if you decide diving isn’t for you).  And keep in mind that most resorts that feature diving  (as well as some dive shops and state parks) will rent you a full set of gear, so you actually don’t ever need to purchase a thing.

Excursions -  So you’ve got the knowledge and the goods, now it’s time to hit the water.  Here’s where you can spend from next to nothing up to a good chunk of change.  An exotic and foreign dive vacation may cost several thousand dollars, but you may find it’s fun just heading to a local lake or beach.  And being a scuba aficionado in Florida has it’s rewards – wherever you live in the state, you’re only a few hour’s drive away from some of the most beautiful dive spots on earth, including John Pennekamp State Park and Silver Springs.

Diver down flag - That symbol you’ve seen on countless cars and shirts is one of the most important items a diver can have.  Many states and countries make it mandatory to fly a red flag with a diagonal white stripe whenever a diver is in the water in order to warn vessels to steer clear of the area.  Keep in mind that if you travel overseas, you may need a blue and white “alfa” or “alpa” flag instead.

Dive knife - Some people think that a dive knife is only necessary for venturing into shark-infested waters, but it’s a handy item to have strapped on in case you get tangled up in an old net or rope.  And besides the obvious sharp edge it provides, a good, thick blade can serve as a pry bar if need be.

Rope and reel -  For those interested in cave and wreck diving, using a guide rope can help you avoid getting lost in dim and obscure surroundings.  It can also work well in murky open water or on night dives.

Dive rattle - Let’s say you need to get your dive buddy’s attention while underwater.  Since shouting or whistling is out of the question, it may be tricky if they’re  and looking elsewhere.  A rattle, however, offers a unique way to communicate without using your voice.

Surface signal devices - In the event that you become separated from your buddy or surface away from your boat, there a number of products that can assist others in locating you.  Signal whistles, mirrors and lights are handy and compact devices that can be clipped or pocketed on your BCD.  And a yellow or orange inflatable marker buoy is stored tightly rolled, but when released and blown into can extend to several feet and be seen from quite a distance.

With the right gear and training, diving can be as safe as any other sport or hobby.  So there’s no reason to sweat when you go and get wet!

Most refresher courses include a combination of dive theory, in-water skill practice, and supervised dives. When possible, divers should enroll in a refresher course with their dive buddy. This allows dive buddies to work to work together to fine tune rescue skills before a real emergency arises. Refresher courses are usually short, because a diver simply reviews information he knew in the past. The average length of a refresher course is half a day to a whole day, usually done in a local pool with a half a day being much more common depending upon the diver’s needs and whether an open water dive is included.

The local lake or spring may not be as exciting as a tropical reef, but if you make a commitment to diving a few weekends every month, you will retain more diving skills and information than if you only dive on vacation. This simple course of just getting back in the water will make your vacation diving so much more comfortable; a refresher course is like riding a bicycle, and your skills will come back to you very quickly!

If you don’t have your own scuba gear, no problem, Scuba Lessons Jax will provide all your gear and air as needed in order for you to take a refresher. Also, remember to bring your log book so your instructor can sign that you have taken the refresher course. Scuba Lessons Jax also offers local classes to fit your schedule…afternoons, evenings, weekends, etc. And, our weekend Learn To Dive classes at the local springs is available as well. The springs are good if you prefer confined and open water diving as part as your refresher. It’s also a good opportunity to try any new gear that you may have gotten before you leave on your much needed dive vacation. Don’t worry about a schedule…just give us a call at (904)346-4246 and arrange your refresher course today!

D.A.N. offers three different dive accident insurance plans to cover medical costs related to a diving accident. These plans cover you weather you are diving locally or internationally and there are no mileage restrictions. Ranging from $30.00 and up (in addition to your D.A.N. membership dues) and coverage for up to one year, you have three different plans to choose from:  Preferred Plan, Master Plan & Standard Plan.

So now that we know how to cover ourselves and family, what about all that nice, expensive equipment that has been acquired throughout the years or brand new items added to our collections? Well, D.A.N.  has options for that too. More specifically, called DAN Dive Equipment Insurance. Coverage can be scheduled to include cameras, housings, lenses, strobes, regulators, BCD’s, miscellaneous equipment, dive computers, tanks, masks, fins, sync cords, watches and more; includes water damage to all items as well. And just like with the dive accident insurance, this plan covers property worldwide, by wherever you may be located. They also offer immediate binding coverage for one year upon completion of the online enrollment form. Just make sure you enroll, if you haven’t already done so, to become an official D.A.N. member!

Last, but definitely not least, D.A.N. offers a special kind of term life insurance, designed especially for D.A.N. members and their spouses: D.A.N. Group Term Life Insurance. In other life insurance policies, being a diver can count against you. But with this D.A.N. life insurance policy, being a diver counts in your favor. No physical exam is typically required and coverage is renewable to age 70. If you’re not 100% sure about keeping this coverage they have a 30-day risk-free inspection offer, which lets the plan holder simply cancel the policy, no questions asked, with a full refund. Scuba Lessons Jax. strongly recommends and carries D.A.N Insurance at all times and has seen it used by students and teachers alike! If you don’t already have D.A.N. coverage do yourself a favor and look into it with the link posted below.

http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/insurance/dive/

Headaches happen to be a common problem among individuals who participate in scuba diving, and are frequently experienced during and after an excursion.  They can be the symptoms of quite a few different causes and ailments, which range from harmless inconveniences to life threatening problems.  Although some are the result of issues related specifically to diving, others stem from injuries and conditions initially caused by other activities, yet exacerbated by taking part in the pastime.  While almost everyone who dives will suffer from a headache once in a while, you should consult a physician if they begin to occur on a regular basis, are not easily treatable, and/or  happen with other symptoms.

Often times dive headaches are engendered by things that occurred before you ever entered the water.  These pre-existing problems include having a cold or sinus infection, dental issues such as root canals, and neck or upper back problems.  Even fumes from the boat’s exhaust and dehydration may be the culprit.  Some of these causes can easily be remedied and avoided, while others may require the attention of a specialist.  It is recommended, for instance, that you always avoid diving whenever you have a head or chest infection, as the resulting complications could be severe.

As scuba diving places you in a different environment, reliable on various forms of equipment, you may find your headache is caused by the dive alone.  Water pressure may considerably affect the ears and sinuses when descending and ascending, while an improperly positioned air tank, badly-fitted mouthpiece or overly tight mask can lead to pain as well.  Even an action as simple as straining your neck to view things – as opposed to maneuvering your whole body – may result in discomfort.  In more serious situations, headaches may be signs of decompression illness (the “bends”) as well as carbon dioxide toxicity, which is caused by improper breathing, skipping breaths to conserve your air supply, and equipment malfunctions.

Remember, if your headache does not go away easily or you experience other symptoms, do not hesitate to seek medical attention.

Core scuba diving equipment is essential for any scuba diving. This core equipment is made up of a buoyancy compensator or BC, a scuba regulator, scuba gauges, dive computer, a scuba air tank and a weight system. A buoyancy compensator or BC is a jacket that you can inflate to keep afloat at the surface, adjust your buoyancy while diving and holds your scuba tank and regulator as well as other dive accessories. A BC should fit like a comfortable jacket. Snug but not too tight. A scuba tank contains pressurized air for breathing underwater. The tank will have a valve that delivers air to the scuba regulator. The tank is attached to the BC where is sits comfortably on the divers back. A scuba regulator is one of the most important pieces of dive gear. The regulator supplies air from the tank to the diver at a pressure that allows a diver to breath properly underwater. Attached to the regulator is a primary second stage, an additional second stage, often called an octopus and a set of scuba gauges that are used to give a diver important information while diving. These gauges will tell a diver how deep they are and the remaining air pressure in their tank. Some gauges will tell you how much dive time is left based on the remaining air pressure in you tank. Scuba dive watches are important pieces of scuba gear because they are used by divers to manage their bottom time while diving.

In addition to the basic items of gear, there are a host of accessories to make scuba diving safer and more enjoyable and convenient. Scuba diving equipment comes in many different styles with many different applications. You can find everything from good old recreational dive gear to more technical dive gear. Divers need to know how to choose the scuba dive gear that fits the best and works the best before they waste money on the wrong dive gear. If the expense of owning your own dive seems a bit high, consider buying used scuba gear. For many divers, their first set of scuba dive gear was used. We here at Scuba Lessons Jax are always available to answer any questions you may have concerning your dive gear or any future purchases you might be considering.