Re: Scuba Exploring Question
Amick Robert (amick@spot.Colorado.EDU)
Thu, 24 Oct 1996 12:54:31 -0600 (MDT)
Olan:
Congratulations on getting involved in a SCUBA post; sounds like a great
time!
On Thu, 24 Oct 1996, OLAN WATKINS wrote:
>
> I have a couple of questions for some of you folks that are involved with an
> Exploring Scuba Post, Exploring in general, and Scuba certification.
>
> I have been invited to become an Associate Advisor for a new Coed Scuba
> Exploring Post that is just getting started in my council. The Post is being
> sponsored by a dive shop. The dive shop is offering PADI open water diver
> certification for a cost of $75 if the Post members purchase their equipment
> from the shop. Is that a reasonable fee for a group like an Exploring Post?
> Estimates of equipment cost range between $150 to $300 per person.
The certification fee is probably very reasonable if it includes the open
water dive certification along with the classroom. Our post took SCUBA to
dive at Cozumel two years ago, and the dive shop taught the classroom and
pool sessions for about $60 per Explorer. The open water was included in
the Cozumel dive trip, on the first day. Our cost for the entire Cozumel
trip per person was about $1200 other than personal spending money.
Some of the Explorers bought personal equipment such as mask, fins,
snorkel, dive boots, dive skins/wet suits, but rented the b.c.'s,
regulators, and of course tanks were provided by the dive service. This
way they could try out various types of equipment until they found what
they preferred;
> There were about 30 kids at the first meeting, so it looks like it will be a
> good sized group.
>
> I have been told that I need to take the specific Exploring Youth Protection
> Training certification. Any one know of what if any difference there is
> between the regular Boy Scout Youth Protection certification and that for
> Explorers?
Unless there is something just released, the YPP program is generic for
all age groups/programs.
I would highly recommend the Explorer Advanced Leader Development Workshop
for the adults and the Explorers as soon as possible; this is some of the
best training to get your post well organized and learn the ways to plan
an event and general program; it also really stresses team building and
leadership techniques for both adults and Explorers; Well worth the time.
> The kids also want to do some of the regular high adventure type things as
> well as scuba, such as rock climbing/rappelling, white water, COPE course,
> firearms training, etc.
Great idea; we usually do one major trip a month such as peak climb;
whitewater canoeing on the Green River (August), rock climbing/rappelling.
We also train the Explorers in the Red Cross Emergency Response first aid
class. It takes about 50 hours but they get excellent training and can
serve on their school emergency response teams, help with Scouting events,
and have a good chance to get an EMT class when they turn 18 with that
background.
> I am an NRA rifle/shotgun/pistol instructor, and pistol shooting is not
> allowed for Boy Scouts, but I understand that it is allowed for Explorers, is
> this correct?
It is; law enforcement explorers are allowed to be trained on supervised
ranges by certified instructors and other explorer programs are also
eligible.
> Initial plans call for 4 dive-camping trips per year, with two to local
> lakes, one to out of state fresh water dive, and one to an out of state
> saltwater dive location.
Sounds great; we took our Explorers to "Sea Base" near Salt Lake City
Utah, last year to try out their "inland" salt water reservoir. It was
interesting since they have imported lots of fish from the Caribbean and
the water is quite similar to the ocean; clarity was a little difficult
due to an algae bloom, but water was very warm and fish were plentiful.
I would highly recommend the Cozumel trip for your Post when you are
ready. Our post very much enjoyed it; it is "world class" diving and the
reefs at Cozumel are just phenomenal. It is also drift diving so you get
to "fly" underwater; pure white sandy bottom, and gorgeous coral; wildlife
is phenomenal; lots of groupers, nurse sharks, morays, parrot fish,
angels and much more; night dives were great since you could see octopus
and other nocturnal critters; the Explorers were kind of surprised to
realize that fish "sleep" too and woke up a few "snoozing" groupers.
The deepest dive we did was around 90 feet at Palancar; most were around
45 to 60 feet so bottom time was fairly liberal and three boat dives per
day were feasible. Our divemasters were great; one has been diving for
28 years and has a Reef named after him ("Mario's Reef").
We went in June to avoid the "busy season" which is December through
April. Water temperature was about 85 degrees so only dive skins or light
upper wet suits were used. Climate was humid, but generally pleasant and
sea breezes kept things very comfortable. We only had a small problem with
fire coral stings but those responded well to treatment with Adolph's meat
tenderizer.
Not much problem with "Montezuma's Revenge." Local water is sterilized
with ozone and bottled water is available everywhere. Be careful with
fresh fruits/vegetables. We took Bactrim antibiotic along just in case,
but really didn't have a problem.
The island is great for Explorers; we stayed at the beach hotel
"Barracuda" and could walk right out to the reef for shore diving and
night dives.
We did 18 boat dives and two night dives during the week; Palancar reef
and caves were spectacular and lots of fun to go through coral tunnels.
The Explorers especially liked going out on the town at night; lots of
restaurants and entertainment; we sent them out in groups of four or more
and gave them a curfew; they were very good about being back on time and
following the rules. Plus, they were tired enough from three dives per day
that they tended to go right to bed after curfew; but what a
great time! The post had special royal blue polo shirts embroidered with
the post logo and the trip name, plus the name of the Explorer; we wore
these on the trip and made getting through customs a "breeze" when they
realized we were Explorers.
We also visited the ruins at Tulum on the mainland; travel by ferry and
local bus services, so costs were minimal. Next time we may go to
Chitzen-Itza to visit those ruins; they are larger and more spectacular
but further inland.
If you are interested, we have some underwater video and slides of the
trip which we could share with you and your Explorers.
Best wishes...
Bob Amick, Explorer Advisor, High Adventure Explorer Post 72, Boulder, CO
and Council Exploring Training Chair, Longs Peak Council
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