Help Getting Friend To Scuba

[ferg822]

I have been psyched to get my open water for almost 6 months now (because of sports I've had to wait) and my friend is worried about sharks/jellies. I used to be kinda freaked out but I researched and found it was really rare to get bit/stung and now I want to see a shark. I've told my friend this and how rare it is but she is still hesitant to scuba. What can I tell her?

 

[jreefer113]

tell her its better than sex and almost safer

 

[billsreef]

A wet suit or skin will protect you from jellies As for sharks, well I've dove with plenty and I'm still here

 

[snorvich]

Much safer than sex in 2008. As Bill said, sharks are a nonissue. Jellies are more of an issue at night as your light or the boat light attracts them. But a skin or wet suit minimizes that isse.

 

[ggk1988]

Sharks dont actively seek divers out. Just like most wildlife they are just as nervous about you as you are about them. Question for you seasoned divers though.. How many have actually seen sharks on dives?

 

[divemonster]

RARELY have I seen sharks on dives. I have to go places where they are known to be like Galapagos Islands, Guadalupe Island or Stuart Coves' in the Bahamas. I've seen a nurse shark in the Keys once, it followed me around while i was spearfishing

 

[billsreef]

The picture I posted is one I took

While diving, I've seen Grey Reefs and Nurse Sharks in the Caribean and White Tips in Hawaii. I've always enjoyed shark encounters, they really are quite spectacular to see. Never had a shark scare me, but did scare a couple of Nurse Sharks once. Found a pair napping on a ledge once, naturally I took a photo. The strobe firing spooked them and I ended up having two 4-5 foot sharks deciding to bolt for it and swim right between my legs :lol:

 

[Sclassen]

NC sharks

NC sharks

I dive mostly off the NC coast and it is rare to be on a dive with no sharks in the area. They do not bother you as long as you don't bother them. They are actually amazing to see up close and personal with nonthing to fear - when you still use caution.

 

[Scuba_Dave]

I've seen sharks om dives, sand sharks almost all the time on vacation. The diver that went in after me almost landed on a shark, he must have cruised right behind me, as the people below me were taking a picture

I've always been more worried about 'cuda's

 

[coral diver]

Shark normally stay away from humans not unless they want them around by baiting or chumb but that intentional or they smell blood, rotting /injured frey and that's why 80% of wet suit is black or dark color so not to attract predetors

 

[billsreef]

Remember the days of nice bright fish attracting colors for gear like Yum Yum Yellow

 

[Reefdiver77]

I have seen sharks diving out of Destin, Tarpon Springs and off Kauai. Black tip reef sharks, nurse sharks, hammerheadsI have never been frightened. They are magnificant creatures and so graceful. I missed it last summer diving off Destin, but 2 large hammerheads attacked a nurse shark and most on the dive boat with us witnessed this. One guy was so scared, he bit his reg mouthpiece in two. There were also several bull shark sightings out of Destin last summer, as well as whale sharks.

 

[coral diver]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11691674#post11691674 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by billsreef
Remember the days of nice bright fish attracting colors for gear like Yum Yum Yellow

i still see them and it hurt my eyes :eek1:

 

[robojet]

Don't try... she will when she's ready!

Don't try... she will when she's ready!

My husband and I try to go to the Caribbean once a year... (although that doesn't always happen). I got my scuba certification about 5 years ago just before one of our trips. He was not interested, and came up with all kinds of reasons why he (and I) shouldn't do it. So, every year, we go to the Caribbean, he lays on the beach and I get on the dive boat, we both have a great time, and he greets me when I get back. He has finally warmed up to snorkeling, but I don't push any of this. If he's uncomfortable with the idea of scuba, and I hassle him until relents.... well - if something went wrong - it would be my fault. No way am I carrying that burden!

If you go off and scuba, tell her how great it is, she may come around to the idea of joining you herself.

 

[Canute]

Jellies are a potential problem, I guess particularly box jellies near Australia. Wearing a wetsuit will practically eliminate this problem.
Sharks as someone else said are a nonissue. I've seen Reef White Tips in Hawaii, which is common. My last trip last fall I saw three on the Big Island. One was sleeping under a ledge in ~20' of water and I barely spotted it while snorkeling at the edge of what must almost be the most popular swimming beach on the island.
I've also seen a Nurse Shark in Cancun, also common. The jerk dive guide gave it a kick and it started swimming around with its eyes covered looking to bite something. He got no tip...
Neither much anything to be concerned about. I came from Michigan and my dad is pretty fearful of sharks too. Kind of normal for inlanders where they were nonexistent. Everyone kind of has a fear of the unknown.
I was a little concerned at first, but now that I have some dive experience I'm much more comfortable with the idea that they're out there.
Go dive in some of those lakes with no vis it'll get you more comfortable .
Robojet, it's my wife that's like your husband. I practically teethed on a snorkel myself .