Or you can just go to any dive shops to join their trips. You'll meet lots of new divers through that too.

Never tried it before but I think you can always drop an email to PADI for a new one. Your record is permanently in their database.

I think the course fee is about the same everywhere. The only thing different is the accommodation whether you will be staying better or worse.

Tioman is definitely much cheaper due to the type of accommodation.

You can get Cressi gears at
Tec Sports
150 & 150A, 1st Floor, Beach Street, 10300 Penang.

How ever I do not recommend you to have camera unless if you are good with your buoyancy. New divers should enjoy their dives and learn how to spot creatures underwater before learning how to use camera. That way, the underwater life can be conserved.

All dive centers allow solo traveler and diver. Just need to pay a little extra.

Hope you have a great year of diving and dive safely.

This post has been edited by lck*G9: Jan 4 2011, 10:34 AM

It's the experience that counts. The more you dive the more you can control your buoyancy.

Here is a simple question to ask yourself and to know whether if you are fit to take photograph. Have you encounter any difficulty looking at a nudibranch up close for maybe 30 seconds or so?

If you have trouble focusing on it, then you'll most likely have to settle on the seabed to take photograph of the nudibranch but there are some people not aware when they are taking photograph, they land or step on some corals causing the corals to be complete squashed and damaged.

This scenario only true if you are interested in taking photos of nudibranch/small living organisms. If you are taking photos of big fishes, then this might not be true.

Solo travelers/divers can walk in anytime to any dive centers/resorts. They would propose you to go dive with a group and have you buddy with a DM depending on your skill after the check out dive. If there are no group dive, then a DM/DI will accompany you.

Dive price should be the same in Malaysia for solo but the rooms will definitely cost more.

It's better to just go for packages which include accommodation + diving.

This post has been edited by lck*G9: Jan 4 2011, 02:36 PM

LOB

Just my opinion. It depends whether you have strong or weak legs. If you are weak, I recommend you to take a softer fin. It will not be so taxing on your strength when you kick.

For open heel fins then you'll need a bootie. Make sure the bootie is not covered with too much rubber sole else you'll have problems with your leg floating all the time. This is again if you have weak legs.

If you have strong legs, it's alright to choose a fin that is more rigid that would allow you take control of your speed in the water.


That is a common problem for inflated bcd because the air is behind the diver so it keeps pushing the diver facing the water when surface. It's quite uncomfortable to some divers especially when there's waves on surface.

This post has been edited by lck*G9: Mar 25 2011, 11:34 AM

yes you are right, an all rounder would be good.

Cressi has the best soft and light fins. I think can get from Diver's Den or even in UFL. There used to be in the Hobby Store as well but I think they closed down the Sunway branch.

sorry if i misquote your gender but it happens a lot to female divers.

just some expensive lesson i learned in the past. my ex female buddy had this similar problem. bought her the open heel seacsub fins along with the high cut bootie. end up too tired to kick and always in the squatting position when idling. then changed to a low cut bootie and cressi fin.

The best would still be the closed heel fins and i do understand the problem about the usual cuts behind the leg. There are 2 ways if "beauty" is not in your vocabulary while diving
1) Plaster your leg with handyplast before diving. can get some cheap ones from watsons and if you are wearing long wetsuit, it should be able to cover it.
2) Socks to replace your bootie. looks a bit weird but i think it's quite comfortable. i still see many doing it.
But I doubt so because these days the divers are very fashion trendy as well.

If not mistaken I think it was Cressi Reaction. Can't really remember but it was in blue. Sorry not much help but you should test out the fins and see which one is more comfortable for you and try for once not to consider about the fashion part and you'll dive more happily.

finally change the bootie to something with less rubber.

Happy diving

wear a shortie instead or you can go custom made. its quite common in thailand. i think can be ready in few days or a week or something like that.

B&J is not bad. The DIs are pro and their price are reasonable. They are based in Salang and ABC, Tioman. The only thing not happy is that you have to carry your own BCD and Tank to the shore and its not a short distance.

its heavy and I would say its a good training especially for newbies but not for clients that dive with them. I have knee problem that's why i don't like it

This post has been edited by lck*G9: Mar 29 2011, 04:46 PM

yeah hk is cheap with custom mades.
you might have known this but just thought of sharing with those who comes in close contact with jellyfish.
you can always use your alternate air source to "blow" the jellyfish away but don't it so often else you'll run out of air

Perhentian and redang does not require students to carry their tanks

I just remembered my OW and AOW course too and you guys are right.... not all DCs have such services.

---

Added on March 30, 2011, 12:22 pmI think it has something to do with the resort layout.
For example, Laguna DC actually has no proper beach and its right off the jetty. To reach the beach, you'll need the buggy.
For perhentian, it's just walking distance to the beach so it's better to just walk there with the tanks.

Maybe 5 stars have reach the extend of hiring a guy to carry, IDK.

This post has been edited by lck*G9: Mar 30 2011, 12:22 PM

who said don't have? There are always LOB to tioman and even to tenggol.

You should try google. its all there.
here's one
http://www.mentariscuba.com/v2/index.php?o...latest&Itemid=1

let me guess. can't swim? afraid of tsunami? no money? afraid kena tarik telinga??

just kidding... should go at least to know what is the underwater world all about before it disappears.

it was truly my only place for peace and serenity but now that i'm stuck with financial problems, i'm only left with insanity

Even dive buddies can log your dives. It's just a matter whether you want to cheat yourself or not and DMs can tell your level when you jump right into the water.

So put your safety first

oh yeah.. tenggol here i come

it sounds more like you gained weight fat floats, bone sinks
The saltier the water the more easier to float.
The thicker your wetsuit the easier for you to float also.
The more rubber you have on your body the more easier you float too.

if you go dead sea, Jordan, you don't need anything also can float because it is the saltiest water in the world