So Excited!

Vegas · 04-09-2007, 09:19 PM

Hello!
My name is Amy (oh, um screen-name "Vegas"), from (of course), Las
Vegas, NV. I'm 35 and have wanted to learn to dive for longer than I
can remember. .....and now I'm doing it!
I am signed up, will be in class Saturday, and in the Pool Sunday.
Scheduled for my first Open Water dives at Lake Mead one week later.
I am so excited I cannot stand it! LOL!

I wanted to say that I have been scouring these message boards, and
devouring all your wonderful tips, questions & answers, and suggestions!
I cannot thank you enough!

All the things I've read have helped me feel so much more comfortable
and encouraged! I feel very good about my initial equipment purchases
from my Local Dive Shop (LDS, right?) - I sure appreciate all the information!

Thanks for letting me say "hello!" -- and I'll keep reading!

Thanks a Million,
Amy from Vegas

**Scuba Mama** · 04-09-2007, 09:39 PM

Welcome Vegas. I too wanted to learned for as long as I could remember and took my class at age 35. I fell in love with the sport and I am now and instructor teaching new divers. I found diving one of the best experiences of my life and it continues to give. You may not find everything easy at first but stick it out the reward will be amazing.

Scuba Mama

**glynneco** · 04-09-2007, 10:36 PM

Good Luck.....I'm betting on you Vegas! Let us know how you do.

steve634 · 04-11-2007, 04:09 PM

hello Vegas Good to hear you are so excited about diving. I also got certified at a later age and have enjoyed it tremendously.

Vegas · 04-11-2007, 07:51 PM

Thank you so much for all your encouraging words!
I have to say that I am VERY inspired by your post Scuba Mama!

...and appreciate the support from all who replied!

I am deep into my book, got the initial gear I'll need, now I just
have to contain my excitement for a few more days!

I love reading all the threads I have found in the various forums...
from "what's the strangest thing you've found while diving"
(a sacrificed "Garfield"? LOL!)
to tips about "Suit Snot" for sliding into anything Neoprene.

I appreciate having your wealth of experience to draw from!
I have even started poking around the DAN website, to see what I can learn there.

You guys are great, I am so glad you are here!
I'll keep you posted on my progress!

thanks a Million!
Vegas

melly · 04-13-2007, 09:20 PM

Hi Vegas, I to am just doing my O/W course, I have just done my first 3 confined dives, and theory last weekend, nd this weekend finishing the rest of my confined dives, I did some discover dives last year and forgot how gud it feels even to be sitting on the bottom of the pool blowing bubbles, I got a right buzz from it. I to am older 33, and have been reading the forum regular getting loads of info its great, gud luk and let me know how you get on mate...

**glynneco** · 04-13-2007, 11:15 PM

33 is older? Sorry to burst your bubble but you're puupies still. I got certified at 50. You'll get 20 years more diving then me. I'm jealous.

Vegas · 04-16-2007, 07:17 PM

Hi All! (you all knew this was coming)
WOW! What a weekend!
I finished all the classroom/exam stuff, and then we started our confined
water dives yesterday.
When Steve, our instructor, said something like, "OK, now we'll all go under and take our first couple of breaths underwater, then we'll all sit there for a
minute and make googly-eyes at each other". I thought, now just WHAT is he
talking about? So I went under and took my first couple of breaths - And was just kind-of stunned. Then I learned that you CAN giggle with a regulator in you mouth - LOL! -- and I knew what he meant by "making googly eyes" LOL!
For all of you that have been doing this for a while, maybe this brings back
some memories of your first breath or two.

<giggle>

Anyway (you knew this was coming too...) I am HOOKED. I haven't even made it out of the swimming pool yet and I guess I know
where most of my income will be going - lol - it's a good thing I got a raise this year!
Other than there being so many of us in a relatively small pool, I was suprised at how comfortable it all felt! The equipment was MUCH more intuitive than I expected. I thought about all I had read here about buoyancy control, & It seemed like I kind of got the hang of it - to some degree - pretty quickly - at least so far! -- Of course, I would get excited, breath really deep, and then start on my way to the surface, but the more it happened, the better I got at catching myself before I ended up bobbing like a cork! lol!

I get to meet back with the group on Thursday to finish up our confined dives - then Saturday and Sunday it's out to Lake Mead for O/W.

Did I mention that as well as the fins, mask, snorkle, boots, & gloves I needed to have for class, I now own a new wetsuit and BC?

...and my
sweetheart and I have a dive trip to Catalina planned with some friends on the Sundiver in June.

yup, I'm hooked. goodbye paycheck! lol!