You just missed MIDE last weekend! I would say they will have the best prices for courses there.

Do also take into account the quality of the instructor as you will depend a lot on him/her to teach you. I went to 3 different instructor/dive centers for my OW, AOW and rescue. I learn the most from my last instructor and comparing how he teach his new OW students and how I learn my OW, there's just so much difference. I would've learn so much more if I had done my OW with him. Of course, he was very much stricter than the other instructors.

I believe you are intending to go to the island to complete the whole course. Again, I would like to suggest to do the theory (and confine water swimming pool lessons) on mainland first before going to island for certification dives.

Do note that there are quite some theory to study and take in when you do your diving courses.
Hence, going to an island to complete the course in 3D2N or even 4D3N can be very tiring and not much time for leisure. Unless you're gonna spend a week on the island then maybe it'll be better.

Your schedule will be most likely be like this - wake up early, breakfast, practical skills, theory, lunch, skills, theory, dive, dinner, theory, sleep.

There are tons of dive centers in Klang Valley itself. State your location and we will be able to give you some recommendations.

I've heard of people afraid of water, or even felt like they are drowning when they are under a shower. They still took up diving and are awesome divers now.

Try to get an instructor who is also a swimming instructor, that way he may also be able to give you swimming tips. Anyhow, if you are not comfortable in water and you didn't enjoy the experience of your discovery scuba, then maybe you might wanna think twice about going for scuba. Lots of people find it very interesting and fun but this doesn't mean everyone will enjoy it.

My instructor is based in Klang. Klang may be consider far for most people living in KL but I'd recommend him anytime.

There is one dive center in One Utama, also another dive shop in Mid Valley. There are a few dive shops in Subang itself, Scubatex is one of the more famous ones. Taipan has one Scuba Olympia which have their confine water courses done in Shah Alam Club. Cheras have a few as well.

You don't have to be a great swimmer to take up diving, you just have to be comfortable in water. Of course knowing how to swim will be much safer and better.

If you have the interest then go ahead and take up OWC. You'll learn a lot when you go thru the course.

November is kinda like off peak time for OW students cause as we all know, most of the islands are close. Some dive centers will tell you to do the theory and confine water then go to island only in march or so when the islands open for business again. Where you go will depend on the instructor and also how big your group is. Usually it's perhentian, redang, Tioman and Lang tengah. Check with the dive center to be sure. Some will let you choose where you wanna go.

Yes it will definitely shorten the trip. 3D2N will be enough for your certification dive with an additional leisure dive. You will also get to laze around the beach and enjoy the seaside instead of staring at books and videos all day long trying to get everything stuffed into your brain for the OW theory exam.

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Added on July 22, 2012, 11:31 pmBtw, you can check out langkawi as well. They are open all year long.

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Added on July 22, 2012, 11:34 pmCan do over 20 dives in a 5D4N trip to Mabul/Sipadan with unlimited house reef dives.

This post has been edited by munkeyflo: Jul 22 2012, 11:34 PM

I was comfortable in water since I was a baby, my parents take me to the seaside quite often. I grew up loving the sea, sand and sun and was never really afraid of the sea. I did go for some swimming classes when I was really young but I'm not exactly a good swimmer, enough to survive if I get thrown into the water or sea.

Actually, it's easier to float in the sea than in the pool. It's all a matter of being comfortable in the sea and having confidence in yourself.

I've heard of people who did confine and theory here then went to Mabul/Sipadan for their certification dives. My instructor was the one who did it for them, so I'm pretty sure they are other instructors out there who does the same.

I did maximum 6 dives per day for my recent trip to Mabul! Very tiring. Haha.

Haha. Nothing to be shy of. We all grew up differently. I know some parents don't let their child go near water at all, so can't blame them if they grow up being afraid of the sea. From what I understand, sea contains salt and so somehow it'll make things float easier compared to in the pool. It's just that some people find the sea so big, open and deep so they are afraid of it. If you ask me, just relax and you'll find it so easy to float in the sea.

Yea 6 dives very tiring. Lol. You don't really have to have lots of stamina to be an OW diver. You need to if you're gonna be a rescue diver or dive master though. I myself quite small size, thin and hardly exercise. In fact, I don't have much stamina at all. I do often need help from others to carry my tank. But other than that, you'll be in the water so weight is not a problem at all. How heavy also doesn't matter already. Usually it's 3-4 dives a day when you go diving next time. Each dive is roughly 40 min bottom time and 20 min setup/briefing/travelling time, this will depend on where you go and where you dive also. But basically it's around that. Then there'll be about an hour or two surface interval andden go for next dive. You'll learn all this when you take your theory classes. I go with my bf, we took up diving together, you'll definitely get more friends on the way. Now we often join our friends or my sister (also long time diver) or go on our own.

If you'd read my earlier post, I've always recommend doing theory and confine water (practical in the pool) on mainland then going to island for certification dives. Reason being I did my OWC and Advance on the island itself and it was very tiring for me. To be honest, I didn't learn much and didn't have any free time to laze around or enjoy the island. It's just theory and lessons everyday (other than eat and sleep). I did my Rescue course on mainland first then went to Redang for certification with a whole bunch of other OW students, and that's when I really notice the difference. It was only a 3D2N trip but it was very much more enjoyable since we didn't have to worry about theory or exams at all, just diving and some practical skills only, still got time for more leisure dives.

Each dive cost will differ base on location. Redang cheapest is around RM50 per dive excluding equipments. Other hotels can go up to RM80-100 per dive. From what I heard, Malaysia is one of the cheapest place to dive. Mostly all go by packages, with accommodation and full board meals all that.

Don't worry about going alone, lots of ppl go alone as well and they meet others when they go diving. Then from there you'll know more divers and maybe other single divers that are looking for buddies too.

Just wanna ask, has anyone here experience flying with Silk Air before?
How are they on their 10kg free diving gear allowance (to certain destinations)? Any problems encountered with them so far?

Thanks putra, good to know.
Hopefully they'll allow me to bring in the camera hand luggage too. 7kg definitely not enough to carry the camera. Btw, do they open up to see what diving equipments are inside? It seems like restricted to 1 set per person.

Okie. Noted. Thanks for the info.
I guess as long as I tell them it's diving equipments and it's not too much over the weight limit, it should be alright. Need to plan how to pack the bags.

Just bring yourself and money to spend on the island. And your swim suit as well as your sunglasses. Contacts or prescription masks so you can enjoy the view of the underwater world.

Or and some seasick pills if you get seasick easily. But make sure they are the non drowsy ones.

Just came back from diving in Phuket (king cruiser, shark point and Koh Dok Mai). Sea was very rough and 2 seasick pills also not enough for the whole day. Now in hotel room still pening.

Divemasters and crew were awesome though. Dived with South Siam Divers.

I used to find breathing regulator air very dry, until someone told me to put my tongue into the mouth piece while breathing. This reduces my consumed air by a lot and also my throat don't feel so dry after I'm done diving. I still prefer to use regulator even on surface, I just absolutely hate the snorkel, somehow don't feel secure with it, will still feel water will go in and trap it.

Do take note that when you go deeper into the water, there is higher pressure. You can't just wrap your phone in a plastic bag or even a Dicapac to go 15-20m deep. Check your 'normal waterproof case' to see how deep it can go. Dicapac can go 10m if not mistaken, anything deeper than that and you'll risk flooding your phone. Those waterproof bags are usually to keep your gadgets dry from rain and slight contact with water when at the beach, not for diving.

Yup, basically like blocking the air supply. Of course don't press on it too hard la, just somewhat rest the tongue there.

Ehh, I didn't know tongue will get cramp lol. Have never experience it before.

Hmmm, lazy. Haha. I don't know how to explain it but I don't feel uncomfortable or numb or cramp or whatever when I do the tongue trick with the regulator. It's just like resting the tongue there, actually feel quite used to it after a while.

Where do you usually go for your pool dives?

I've been to Shah Alam Akuatik few times, the dive center operator there is Dive Buddy. Charge RM40 for 2 hours with 1 full tank for the diving pool. The only thing is there very dirty. So looking for other place to go to as well.
http://www.divebuddy.com.my/Education/Facilities.htm
The boss is a Malay so doubt they'll be open during Raya break.

According to Seamonkey website, their pool is in PJ Palm Sport Center. Anyone know their charges and how deep is the pool?