Got Scuba certified yesterday!

[James Bond]

Yup, finally finished everything up. What a blast we had, chasing around catfish and poking at the Bluegill. We did our open water at Lake Tenkiller in eastern Oklahoma.....what a nice lake, tons of great scenery, some nice cliffs and smooth water. <br /><br />Unfortunately, the visibility wasn't all that great, but good enough for us to do what we needed to do. On Saturday the visibility was about 6' and the surface temp was 81* and 79* at 20'. Then on Sunday the visibility went down to about 4'....which kinda sucked, but I look at it this way, if I can do it when I can't see s*it, then I surely can do it when it's clear.<br /><br />All in all I had a blast doing it, and can't wait for my first real dive trip.

 

[Parrott_head]

Re: Got Scuba certified yesterday!

Hey James,<br /><br />Did you take your class from Frank's Underwater?<br /><br />I took lessons from them in about 1986.<br /><br />Lake Murray in southern Oklahoma is still pretty decent. Lots of stuff dumped in the lake for amusment over by Mareitta's Landing.

 

[James Bond]

Re: Got Scuba certified yesterday!

No, I took my lessons here in Oklahoma City at Blue Water Divers.<br /><br />I'm going to go back to Tenkiller over Labor Day weekend, I'll bring my 21' CC with me for a combination dive boat and love shack. <br /><br />Hopefully I'll get to explore some other nearby lakes soon, I'm still gathering all my equipment.

 

[achris]

Re: Got Scuba certified yesterday!

This is something you will not regret!!!

 

[Parrott_head]

Re: Got Scuba certified yesterday!

James,<br /><br />Be aware that if you are buying used tanks the Luxfer brand and others made before 1990 were of an alloy that has since been dicontinued. There were some of these tanks that had severe failures.<br /> Tank recall

 

[James Bond]

Re: Got Scuba certified yesterday!

Thanks for the info Parrott. As of right now, I'm just going to be renting a tank, I'm baraly going to able to afford the stuff I'm getting as it is. I'm moving funds from my project speed-racer (Nissan race car), to project scuba-duba. Luckly project Gilligan (my boat) hasn't required much fundage lately.

 

[Parrott_head]

Re: Got Scuba certified yesterday!

It's a great hobby to get into....I used to do some competition spear fishing....but competing in a hobby took some of the fun out of it.<br /><br />There is a lead mine in Ornego (SP) that is a lot of fun to dive. Very clear water. IT's close to the eastern Oklahoma border.

 

[achris]

Re: Got Scuba certified yesterday!

I'm moving funds from my project speed-racer (Nissan race car), to project scuba-duba. Luckly project Gilligan (my boat) hasn't required much fundage lately.

Obviously no female in your life!

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Got Scuba certified yesterday!

congrats. it is a great hobby. enjoy, but stay safe out there, danger can come quickly.

 

[achris]

Re: Got Scuba certified yesterday!

danger can come quickly

So true... When in the water remember, you're not the top predator anymore... I got bitten by a shark earlier this year.. Scared the willies out of me...<br /><br />Chris...........

 

[James Bond]

Re: Got Scuba certified yesterday!

Yeah, we really have to watch out for those Lake Sharks here in Oklahoma, they're one of the nastiest! Hahaha

 

[achris]

Re: Got Scuba certified yesterday!

Ok smartass, you know what I mean

 

[Parrott_head]

Re: Got Scuba certified yesterday!

The problem on Oklahoma lakes is that most boaters do not know what a red flag with white crossbuck means. I have had mine used for skiers to corner around.<br /><br />I was tending boat for a friend that was diving with a buddy. They came up real excited...said they had found a HUGE flathead catfish in an old Pontiac that had been sunk years ago. Shouted at me to toss them the speargun. Flats are legal for spearfishing by the way.<br /><br />I tossed them the Mares and they loaded it and went down to get some fresh fillets.<br /><br />They came back up about ten minuets later, no fish to be found. Asked them if they spooked it and lost it in the murk or what. They said nah...they got down there and the darn thing rolled the windows up on them.....

 

[James Bond]

Re: Got Scuba certified yesterday!

Hahaha, that's funny! It fired up that old LeMans, and drove away, hehehe<br /><br />As for the diver flag....I'll just try to stay somewhere underneath my boat if I can see it.

 

[James Bond]

Re: Got Scuba certified yesterday!

Parrott, do you still dive a lot? I'd liek to kook up with some people to get as many dives in as I can, so that I can at least make use of the hundreds of dollars of equipment I'm ready to buy.

 

[Parrott_head]

Re: Got Scuba certified yesterday!

James,<br /><br />I have my gear loaned out to a buddy's son in the Navy. He is diving all over the world on my gear. It has more fun than I do.<br />His enlistment goes for another 18 months....sorry.<br /><br />If you will go by Frank's Underwater Sports shop they can put you in touch with some diving clubs in the area.<br /><br />There used to be several groups in Oklahoma that competed against each other in spear fishing and such.

 

[KeltonKrew]

Re: Got Scuba certified yesterday!

James,<br /><br />you'll love it.<br /><br />I HAD to work in Aruba for 6 weeks...what a shame...I did manage to get SOME diving in.<br /><br />I wish I could dive every week...It is just beyone belief at what you see/feel.<br /><br />Congrats!<br /><br />ps..make sure you know your diving buddy. Had a friend come down to Aruba to dive....I WOULD NEVER DIVE WITH HIM AGAIN......HAD NO REGARD TO SAFETY.<br /><br />You can't be too safe....have a good time, but watch out for yourself and your dive partner.<br /><br />I like my friend, but I WILL NEVER DIVE WITH HIM AGAIN.<br /><br />Enjoy and congrats!