yeap, padi open water beginner course...   cant wait

I'll be going to Tioman (and parts of Dayang) LOB for the coming Malaysia day weekend.
From what I was told, Tioman won't get monsoon so fast, it'll start earlier at Redang area then Tioman there September, October also quite good. I went to Dayang in mid November last 2 years and diving was awesome, other than the part where the wind was so blady strong on the last night and the roof of the dorm we were living in (and everything hanging outside) got blown off on our last night, plus it was raining so the mattresses and almost everything was wet. But it was worth it cause got whale shark.

Paid RM1000 for Kaleebso LOB 3D3N with unlimited dives. Honestly, I've no idea and experience on LOB and this will actually be my first time going for LOB. Quite excited.
I just hope I won't get sea sick. Lol.

During mola season its quite common, hence why its really not recommended for new divers to go.

Last year, there was 3 deaths in one month 

Combination of cold water and down currents (which many are not familiar with). Normal reaction when hit by down current is to inflate bcd, which will make the situation worse.

Textbook would be to deflate BCD and stay slim profile as possible (less area to be swept by the current). Then try to swim sideways out of the current stream, or if possible climb your way out.

My experience at Nusa Penida during a drift dive:
Coz even though I knew the theory regarding down currents, somehow my natural instinct when I first started noticing that I was sinking was to inflate my BCD, which made it alot worse. Realizing that, deflated my BCD as much as possible then tried to swim away, luckily down current wasnt too strong, still manageable.

Another experience while in pulau weh:
Rock climb all the way to a sheltering rock and waited for the current to pass.

Its not about to scare you out but I would say hunt mola-mola at other places. I record 200+ logged dives but I was something at 150+ when I dive Crystal Bay. I would say it was the 1st and the last for me.

Nothing happen to me actually. I was dive at 49m using double tanks. Huge group of Mola-Mola have been seen once I approached 40m. With the strong current, you have to be fast and keep yourself very near to the reef. Its not a relax dive as sometimes need to fight current. I am prefer relax dives rather than adventure/struggling.
Well Said 
My previous Bali guide told me that they encounter everyday Mola-Mola action at 15-20m at Tepekong and surrounding Padang Bai area.

I am using Tec 50 to go that deep. Later this year, I will get my Rebreather and advanced Rebreather certificate in Sharm El Sheikh.

Just heard. The group involved is a friend of a friend. One female Malaysian diver dcs after crystal bay. Will only fly back on Wednesday, 5hrs deco chamber treatment.  That's all I know so far

This is bad   update us some news if you get it

Yeah I feel like joining! Know anywhere that can rent a BCD? But I only have 10 dives logged.. I wonder if they can allow partially... 

Not enough dive log.   ....

thank god this thread is still alive!
where can i learn diving but not expensive?

of course PADI is a great spot to learn, but kinda expensive to me, seems all in RM(Hundred/Thousand).

Hmm, expensive hobby indeed. I think the best for me is just stay in shallow water and do snorkeling. 

My cousin get shortlisted into the Astro Kasih Dive.....I jelly kao kao   

Hey guys if I do the padi scuba dive course how much roughly it would take to upgrade to open water diving certified? Planning to take this during my semester break but kinda financial constraint to rent da hotel for 4 nights in phi phi island for the open water diving course.