The Scuba Diving Expert

Dive sites around Hurgarda

SCUBA MAN SAYS… EGYPT TRY IT FIRST

Diving in the RED SEA, without a doubt gave me the passion for travelling and the sea. I had not long done my advanced course when our local dive shop organised a trip to Hurgarda, Egypt. The first dive in warm water, in fact the first dive in anything warmer than 6 degrees…Wow. First thing I noticed….was I could see !!! Ok, I am being cruel..there are some awesome dives in the UK and i hope to cover them soon too on this BLOG. I remember seeing this huge moray eel. Peter was his name …no really !! the dive leader made you pat his big head on the way passed…otherwise he would follow you around the dive !!! YIP I patted his head. Of cousre I would honestly advise and hope that any divers nowerdays DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING and leave only bubbles.

I weighed in at about 14 stone those days and my tank of air only lasted about 20 mins. So if you are an “air pig” please do not worry. Enjoy the time you have…you will get better and better the more that you dive. Nowerdays at 16 stone…but i am on a diet I can make an average dive last over 2 hours on the same tank!!….. yes, breathing all the time.
Anyway, first trip was 7 days of life changing bliss….I knew then that I wanted to do that for a job…..but it was just a dream….wasn’t it?
NOTE: The diving in egypt has changed since that first splash, but I do think in general. Hurgarda is calm, warm has close sites and is a great place to get your first few dives in after certification. Those first few dives without being taught will no doubt be the deciders of whether you do continue to dive or you quit. So pick a good dive shop and stay safe.

SCUBA MAN.

PADI CAREER CHART

SCUBA DIVING CAREER

Thought I would post this chart. It shows the career path or recreational path you can opt for in the PADI (Professional association of diving instructors) system.

Where to start?

It is very important to find a good reputable diving school/instructor.
Also of course decide if you do actually want to get wet in the UK !
I am a big fan of learning in the UK as I think that once you have dived in the UK you can dive anywhere. Definitly TRY BEFORE YOU BUY. Equipment I mean… Do a try dive. In a pool then the sea. If you enjoy it, then start thinking about buying your own kit. So many people buy kit, then find out that for some reason they dont like it. !! Yep some strange folk out there LOL.

GET CERTIFIED. There is nothing like having that open water certification. Its like freedom..or it was for me !

Let go diving………………………….

In future posts I will be relating to my first dives and posting some real life experiences. I hope that you join in.

Happy bubbles Paul. SCUBA MAN

Eagle Ray