Do you SCUBA dive?

SGT Richard H. — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 21:58:34 -0400

Just curious who here might be a diver? (military or otherwise)

Response by LT Jessica Kellogg made Sep 14 at 2014 11:23 PM

LT Jessica Kellogg — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 23:23:16 -0400

I would love to, but have yet to take the time to learn.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 14 at 2014 11:36 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 23:36:07 -0400

My girlfriend is Japanese and has been forever. My daughter got PADI certified for her 16th B-day present. I have a better chance of avoiding being eaten by a Great White shark by living in Arizona.

Response by PO2 Steven Erickson made Oct 31 at 2014 11:25 AM

PO2 Steven Erickson — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 11:25:49 -0400

I have NAUI certifications up through advanced deco and tri-mix.

Passionate about shipwrecks, but critters and coral are cool, too.

Favorite dives: USS Saratoga and IJN Nagato, Bikini Atoll / San Francisco Maru, Truk Lagoon

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2014 11:54 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 11:54:36 -0400

I've been PADI certified since 2004 but haven't dove since 2004, unfortunately. A friend of mine, SSG Daniel Deiler, just got his certification and he loves it. He's also a certified skydiver. :D

Response by Maj Kim Patterson made Oct 31 at 2014 1:53 PM

Maj Kim Patterson — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 13:53:29 -0400

Only in warm water; the breathing discipline helped during a drugfree labor and subsequent birth. PADI certified while in Hawaii. I'd recommend it to anyone that had the opportunity

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2014 2:15 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 14:15:03 -0400

SGT Richard H.. Anyone dive with a rebreather unit? Warmest Regards, Sandy

Response by Cpl Dennis F. made Oct 31 at 2014 3:32 PM

Cpl Dennis F. — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 15:32:11 -0400

A friend of my dad dove way back, when only he and Mike Nelson seemed to be doing it. I did a bit back then before PADI and cards required for air fills. I also picked up some gear years later to clean the hull of my 30' power cat in a small inlet. I was a crazy kid and did stuff before it got all regulated, and I guess was still dangerous. Never did get certified.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Oct 31 at 2014 9:58 PM

COL Vincent Stoneking — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 21:58:09 -0400

I am PADI Advanced Open Water. I dive when the water is warm. (So when I go to Hawaii, not around here!)

I LOVE it. If I lived in a conducive climate for it, I think I would be out every day.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Nov 1 at 2014 12:03 AM

SPC(P) Jay Heenan — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 00:03:29 -0400

Diving is so fun...well except the 'what if I run out of oxygen and die' part!

Response by Lt Col Richard Haines made Nov 1 at 2014 9:47 AM

Lt Col Richard Haines — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 09:47:58 -0400

After I stopped flying regularly, I started diving again. Water has to be warm and clear though.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Nov 2 at 2014 10:54 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 10:54:22 -0500

Snorkel yes, SCUBA no.

Response by SSG William Rhodes made Mar 31 at 2015 7:45 PM

SSG William Rhodes — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 19:45:40 -0400

I am I got my certification while I was in Gtmo. It was a great place to dive. I would of loved to have the opportunity to be a military diver, to late!

Response by Lt Col Richard Haines made Apr 1 at 2015 4:57 PM

Lt Col Richard Haines — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 16:57:18 -0400

I learned to scuba dive in the 8th grade while my dad was stationed on Midway Island. (great diving) After becoming a pilot it became difficult, but after I stopped flying, I got re-certified along with my wife and two daughters. (daughters were in high school)
Now the wife an I like the south pacific... Fiji, Solomon's, Indonesia, etc..

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2015 6:16 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 18:16:40 -0400

Certified PADI open water in 1988. Earned my NAUI instructor rating in 1998 and my PADI instructor rating in 1999. Logged over 3,700 dives and still a current PADI IDC Staff instructor. Also own a Dräger rebreather. Favorite diving is wreck/cavern diving and always underwater photography. 95% of my dives are local (SoCal) beach dives.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2015 8:18 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 20:18:19 -0400

I enjoyed snorkeling the few times I tried it. Never have SCUBA dived.

Response by SPC David Hannaman made Apr 3 at 2015 7:44 AM

SPC David Hannaman — Fri, 03 Apr 2015 07:44:18 -0400

Yes, Rescue certified for over 20 years. Hoping to get my kids certified this summer!

Response by CW4 Larry Curtis made Apr 5 at 2015 2:50 AM

CW4 Larry Curtis — Sun, 05 Apr 2015 02:50:03 -0400

Why yes I dive. ;) NAUI certified (because of the school I attended), and my wife is PADI certified. I wouldn't say that I have a strict rule about water temperatures, but my first open-water dive was in the springs in Ponce DeLeon, FL and it required a wet suit...and I didn't care too much for that. Not because of the cold water so much as I just didn't care for how restricted and bound-up I felt in a wet suit. My first few dives in salt water were without dive skins but I decided it would be best to use them just to save the flesh if I ever scraped against some coral or something. So if it's cold enough to require a wet suit, I'm not real keen on it, but I'll do it if I have to. My preference is warmer, but not necessarily 80 degrees warm, know what I mean?

Response by PO2 Mark Saffell made Apr 13 at 2015 2:10 PM

PO2 Mark Saffell — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 14:10:07 -0400

I was a diver onboard The Enterprise and I am a Master Diver, Divemaster and SSI Dive Control Speecialist. Worked as a Bonne Terre Mine underwater tour guide. Check out http://www.2dive.com

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2015 3:28 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 03:28:30 -0400

I haven't dived recently and I probably need to renew my license, but I love it.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Apr 30 at 2015 2:00 PM

LTC John Shaw — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 14:00:53 -0400

@SGT Richard Hanner I have not been in the water since 2003, but I am Adv Open Water Cert. If anyone dives in Ohio, I need to get back in the water.

Response by SPC Scotty Smith made Jul 6 at 2015 8:35 PM

SPC Scotty Smith — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 20:35:10 -0400

Got my padi cert in Colorado and did my open water dives at Blue Hole in Santa Rosa , NM

Response by MSG Cliff Brogdon made Aug 17 at 2015 11:32 AM

MSG Cliff Brogdon — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 11:32:56 -0400

I have not been diving in a couple of years now, but I plan on getting back into in 2016..

Response by LT John Stevens made Aug 19 at 2015 3:07 PM

LT John Stevens — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 15:07:38 -0400

I have been diving since 1965 when I earned my NASDS Open Water Certification. NASDS is now defunct. In 1971 I got certified for Rescue Diving, Ice Diving, Advanced Open Water, and Divemaster. Then later that same year I got my Instructor certificate, all through the YMCA's program, now defunct. From 1971 through 1977 I instructed hundreds of sport divers, while, incidentally, serving as my ship's Rescue and Recovery swimmer, even though I had never completed the Navy's program.

I have had the pleasure to dive all over the world in both warm water and cold water. I have to say that I far prefer warm water over cold. Diving in the Marianes Islands was about as good as it gets. Palau was interesting. The Philippines always interesting, especially with the Sea Snakes causing a bit of a pucker factor. I believe my favorite diving however was in Puerto Rico just off Luquillo / Fajardo Beach. The reef there began at 2 feet of water and steadily dropped off to about 95 feet. It was a very life and active reef with a huge variety of life.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2015 3:08 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 15:08:06 -0400

PADI Open Water - 2006 while in Japan

Response by MSG Jan Glock made Aug 25 at 2015 3:18 PM

MSG Jan Glock — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 15:18:52 -0400

Dove from 1978-1998, had to stop while "married-with-children" re-certified NAUI last July; from advanced open water, dry suit & full face mask through rescue diver and police diver/public safety diver. Currently a volunteer rescue diver. We dive "black water", cold water, zero-visibility/low visibility. Prefer warm with good viz, but seldom get it! I don't care...I love to dive!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2015 11:10 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 11:10:15 -0400

I try to go on at least one SCUBA trip a year. I have been blessed to have dived in as many places as I have. I was PADI certified in 2009.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2015 9:47 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 21:47:44 -0400

Sport diver with my advanced open water :)

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2015 7:27 AM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 07:27:43 -0400

I used to...now I live in Oklahoma...

Response by 1SG Robert Sammons made Oct 28 at 2015 8:15 AM

1SG Robert Sammons — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 08:15:21 -0400

I am a PADI certified Master Scuba Diver.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2015 9:28 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 09:28:21 -0400

I would like to learn one day - but it's not high on the priority list as of now. I'm sure that'll change once I retire.

Response by TSgt David L. made Oct 28 at 2015 9:32 AM

TSgt David L. — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 09:32:07 -0400

PADI Diver

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Oct 28 at 2015 9:35 AM

SrA Edward Vong — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 09:35:26 -0400

No, but I would like to start. I think I should learn to swim first.

Response by SPC Ken Sawyer made Oct 28 at 2015 12:49 PM

SPC Ken Sawyer — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 12:49:55 -0400

PADI Divemaster here

Response by SPC Daniel Edwards made Nov 7 at 2015 10:18 PM

SPC Daniel Edwards — Sat, 07 Nov 2015 22:18:58 -0500

I'm a PADI Open Water diver only right now. The only place to dive in Albany, GA for someone who doesn't have the money to travel for the time being is the Flint Riverquarium where I was a volunteer diver until I discovered that my gear needed some slight maintenance. Getting that done soon but I still don't have many other places to dive nearby that doesn't require also getting a hotel room.

Response by SSG Paul Forel made Nov 12 at 2015 2:15 PM

SSG Paul Forel — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 14:15:55 -0500

I was PADI certified while I was assigned to Fort Hood, following my tour in Vietnam. Dived at Lake Travis until I was discharged and then have dived since off the beach in Redondo Beach, at Catalina Island and have dived at St. Thomas.

Nothing beats SCUBA diving!

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2016 11:59 AM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 Mar 2016 11:59:01 -0400

PADI Advance Diver: 150 dives, Pacific, Sea of Japan, Philippine Sea, Subic Bay. Only time I feel totally comfortable. Used to go out for a quick dive/hunt and be back after about 1hr 15 min on one tank (Dacor Super 80) I really miss it. Haven't dove in 20 yrs now. Land locked in NY State. But still have all my gear including my video housing for taking movies, lol...

Response by Sgt Chuck Harvey made Mar 28 at 2016 10:10 AM

Sgt Chuck Harvey — Mon, 28 Mar 2016 10:10:55 -0400

SDI Rescue and Master Diver certified

Response by SSG Amber Soward made Aug 26 at 2018 9:53 PM

SSG Amber Soward — Sun, 26 Aug 2018 21:53:21 -0400

I love diving and outside of my sports diver certification, I have NAPD Search and Rescue Diver, and my most recent certification is the RAPID Rescue Diver.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 4 at 2018 10:43 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Oct 2018 22:43:12 -0400

No diving anymore, but in the day, open water, SAR with the Guam Police harbor patrol, SEAS team ( Special Equipment Amphibious Section).
Also, sport diving, spear fishing, anything to do with SCUBA, PADI and NAUI certified, Open Water.

Response by SPC Robert Coventry made Feb 28 at 2019 5:01 AM

SPC Robert Coventry — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 05:01:42 -0500

Advanced Open Water, Dove in Atlantic and Pacific Ocean in the same day. I was in Panama it was like 56 miles apart

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Feb 28 at 2019 5:12 PM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 17:12:55 -0500

Yep but haven't been in years.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2019 9:10 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 09:10:12 -0500

I have been diving for quite awhile. certified through PADI and SSI.