I was a diver BC and I am ready to go diving

So you were a diver “BC” (i.e. before children) and your children are now old enough that you would like to start diving again, right?  So what do you need to do to jump back into the water?  Well, the answer is not as straight forward as it might sound. 

What is the condition of my equipment?

The first thing to find your old equipment to see what is useable and what needs to be donated to the Smithsonian Museum.  Ok, maybe it is not that old, but, you need to determine if the seals and straps need to be replaced.  You may also want to look carefully at that wetsuit you have.  I have found that they seem to shrink in the closet, especially over the Thank and Christmas holidays.  Next, see if everything fits and if your mask seals on your face. 

Silicone tends to get harder as it ages so you mask may not seal the way it used to because the silicone is not as pliable.  A lot of people decide to get a new mask because the newer ones are low volume (reduced internal airspace) and tend to be more comfortable.  And while you are at it, you may want to look at a new snorkel with a purge valve instead of the simple “J” tube model in your bag.  Next examine your boots and fins. 

If you had your own air delivery system (regulator) it will need to be serviced.  Bring it in to your local dive shop (i.e. Oceanic Ventures) and let them help you decide if servicing is the best option or it trading it in towards a new unit would be more cost effective.  Remember, a unit stored for long periods of time may require more maintenance to bring it back to service and there are some models that can no longer be serviced.  The same thing goes for your Buoyancy Control Device.  It needs to be serviced as well.

Did you have a computer?  Some early models had volatile memory which means if the battery goes completely dead, they lost their programming.  If this is the case, changing the battery will not help, it has been “bricked.”  Other models had soldered batteries and they cannot be changed any longer.  But don’t despair, you can trade it in towards a new unit.

Just one comment on wetsuits.  Modern wetsuits are much more flexible and fit better than older suits.  Additionally, there are some other materials you may want to look at that provide warmth but don’t add buoyancy.

Did my certification expire?

Technically, diving certifications do not expire.  But, from a practical perspective, if you have not been diving in a while, reputable operators will require that you do at least a Scuba Skills Update or a scuba refresher.

The latest trend is to offer a staggered refresher depending on the length of time you have been out of the water.  Here is the breakdown for these programs:

• Less than 2 Years – Scuba Skills Update program
  • · Online Educational Materials (Scuba Skills Update)
  • · Academic review session
  • · Open Water Skills Review in the pool
• 3-5 Years – Scuba Skills Update program
  • · Online Educational Materials (Scuba Skills Update)
  • · Academic review session
  • · Open Water Skills Review in the pool
• 5-7 Years – ReStart Diving Scuba Skills Update Program
  • · Online Educational Materials    (Scuba Skills Update)
  • · Academic review session
  • · Written Test
  • · Open Water Skills Review in the pool
• 7 + Years – ReStart and ReLearn Diving Scuba Skills Update
  • · Online Educational Materials (Open Water Diver)
  • · Academic review session
  • · Written Test
  • · Open Water Skills Review in the pool – 1 to 3 sessions depending on your skills retention
  • · Open Water Skills Dives at the lake or on an Oceanic Ventures trip—2 dives required

 I can hear you asking, “why the different programs?”  Really, it is a safety thing.  If you haven’t been diving in seven years, how much of the content of your course do you remember?  How many things have changed since you learned to dive?  Remember those dive tables?  Do you know that we don’t use them much anymore and that dive planning is done using a dive computer?  Things change over time and the ReStart and Relearn style of programs update you on these changes and refresh your in the water diving skills so you will fee comfortable on your first trip back under the waves.

What if I can’t find my certification card?  Is it really necessary?

Your certification card is your proof that you completed the diver training.  In many cases, we can do some research and get a proof of certification from the training agencies.  If your certification was issued a long time ago, the records may no longer exist so obtaining a proof of certification may not be possible.  Additionally, if your certification was issued by one of the agencies that no longer exist, you wont be able to obtain one either.

But, if you were certified, through the Restart and Relearn program you can gain a new certification card.

So, what’s next?

The cool thing for “BC divers” is that their children and at an age where they can start appreciating the water and the cool things under the surface.  Children under ten can become avid snorkelers and fish ID specialists.  Starting at ten, children can get certified (if they are mature enough and as Dive Mom says “understand that no means no.”)  So, you will have some new dive partners to join you in those tropical locations.

The best thing is to gather everything up and come visit.  Your local dive professionals at Oceanic Ventures can help you find the right program and the right schedule to get back into the water.