Posts by neonviper13

Carol Sullivan said:I'm looking at some gear because I'm interested in starting a diving course (hopefully I'm not too old—I'm 28)—I heard it doesn't take forever, maybe two weeks to wrap up all the theory and the pool/open water sessions?

So I have a few questions about the actual dive school/course—has anyone here done one? What’s the deal? What were your experiences like?

And regarding that women's wetsuit in the link above—is it just "one size fits all" since there aren't any specific details listed?

That suit is way too thin for our waters. The one in your link is a 0.5mm one-piece; you'd need at least a 5mm two-piece to actually be comfortable in the US during the season from May through November.
As for sizing, obviously different brands use different systems. Some use XS, S, M, L... others use numbers from 1 to 7, where 1 is the smallest and 7 is the largest. You absolutely have to try a suit on first. It has to fit perfectly. If it's too big, water will flush inside and you'll freeze. If it's too tight, it'll be a nightmare to get on and it'll just be uncomfortable. These neoprene wetsuits work on a semi-permeable principle: a tiny bit of water gets in, gets warmed by your body heat, and stays there to keep you warm.

Regarding the dive school, it's entirely a matter of personal preference, regardless of what people say. The quality of your training depends solely on your instructor. The physics of diving are universal; one school can't teach it differently than another. That's just how it is. There might be minor variations between schools, but it really doesn't matter. Your best bet is to head to a local dive club to ask more detailed questions. I definitely recommend getting certified through a club rather than those seaside tourist centers; they'll charge you an arm and a leg for the exact same result—being able to dive to about 65 feet with a Divemaster present, depending on which agency you go with. Also, regarding certifications, you aren't locked into one path. If you get your first level through World Underwater Federation, you don't have to stick with them. You could do your second through SSI, your third through PADI, and your instructor rating through NAUI. Any combination works.😁.

mistyseal11 said:For those of you actually living with schizophrenia, how would you even put this illness into words?

Like, just yesterday I found myself having a full-on conversation out loud with another version of myself.
Is that a sign of things getting worse? 😁

I've been dealing with this for at least 10 years now... though I guess it depends on what you mean by talking to this other self. Are you imagining them as a distinct person? Do you find yourself voting twice? Always ordering double portions to eat for them? Do you gossip about women? Do you recount your day to them? Or maybe they're just better at World of Warcraft than you are, leading to you slamming your head against the wall in frustration. There are plenty of scenarios here—some pros, some cons.😕

I’m not digging through this entire thread; there’s way too much fluff. I skimmed your first post and maybe two others, but honestly, it doesn't matter much...
Look, from where I'm sitting, you seem like a spoiled brat who probably has mommy tucking him in at night while everyone else handles his life. In your world, nobody is ever at fault but everyone else. You were fine with it at first, but now you're just exploiting the situation. For instance, Quentin Tarantino just had a character get tossed through a window by Steven Seagal, cracking his skull on a fence. What do you think happened to that guy? Pretty sure he's having a worse day than you are. Here’s my advice: go find some New Age healer or a bioenergetic specialist—not some rocker or punk, but an actual mystic. Tell them your story; they might actually help since you claim hospitals failed you. But you won't do that, will you? It's easier to stay like this because you love the attention. Let's be real: you aren't going to kill yourself, and neither am I, unless tomorrow I get a brand new TV and then suddenly watch The Karate Kid again. Anyway, hope that helps.