AF> Anyway - Iuse to dive alot...like for about 17 years off the western
AF>half of Puerto Rico - My main reason was for Marine tropicals. Istill
SD>Was amazed one time a guy was diving with our group on a charter and
  >collecting fish, and he pulls out a home made decompression tank for the
  >tropicals. That is something I never would have thought about.
I never found need for one - we usually let them hang off the anchor
line at about 10-20 feet and that solved it.
AF>how to dive at around 22, got into some bigtime back problems at around
AF>30, and dropped out at 38 - now I'm 44, my back's a little better, and
AF>I got something in the back of my head telling me to go back to the
AF>ocean again.
SD>If you could get in and out of the water without hurting yourself I
  >think it could be very good for you, I know it relaxes me as long as I'm
  >not chasing a fish or something.
I dove 2-5 tanks almost daily for years (Most of my diving was in under
30 feet, thats' where the reef is most alive)... when you're young, you
can put your body to a lot of torture, would you believe I smoked 2
packs a day at the same time? You're right, I did my back in lugging all
the gear up and down the beach, not the mention the 10 - 15 gal. coolers
full of sea water we carried(I'm lucky I'm not worse!). anyways, I quit
the smoking about 4 years ago ( I had been smoking since i was 16). I
got alot of aches & pains to remind me of all my screw-ups in with the
diving, but I also have much more good times to remember. The ocean is
another world, it's a place where nobody can alter too much; can't build
a house in it, can't build a road.. Only thing you can do is pollute it
like we are now. I don't even think we belong in it, not even as divers-
Most of the guys I know that dive commercially, have back problems,
sinus problems if they're smart. If they're not, they have additional
problems( Bends, ect). I think it's possible that the pressure alone
somehow affects your back, and your muscles are meant to operate hot,
with sweat, and not cold. But, If i had to do it all over again, even
with what I learned, I wouldn't think twice to take to the ocean.
AF> Any of you guys want to know anything about Puerto Rico diving, I'l
AF>tell you what I know.
SD>Someone just gave a post on there and wasn't too happy though I know
  >some people that surf and I think they said thats a great place.
  Well, If you come here and  follow the guided tours, then you won't
be happy- guided tours here, Suck. All they want is your money. The
surfers say it's better because they have a different approach; they
come mostly to the west side of the isle, rent a room somewhere, and
mix in with the locals (alot of them just build tents and sleep on the
beach). If you come here, stay in a hotel, and wait for the next "cattle
run" to the beach , then you may not like it.
 Puerto Rico is a strange place for diving - it's sort of like the top
of a mountain with alot of deep water all around it.  North side of the
isle sits the Atlantic Ocean, which is very treacherous and dangerous- I
know some guys who went out diving or fishing and never came back
again. 10-15 foot swell is a normal thing here in the winter months.
If you come here in the winter, you have to find the good side of the
isle. All this to me would be a challenge with its rewards- something
strange, scary and new- not a pansy assed trip to somebodys' private
play ground! If I want an aquarium , I got one in my living room.
 I dunno, I haven't been on a vacation for 25 years... I guess because I
live in a vacation (when i'm off work). If I did go on a vacation, I
would be looking for excitement and adventure. I wouldn't feel right
staying in a hotel(my wife would)- If it was a diving vacation, I would
be down on the beach, making friends with the fishermen and divers..
they would know where all the good spots are. For the price you pay for
a hotel room for a few days , you could probably rent  a house for a
month over in Rincon ,PR .
 I know, I talk too much, right? But there must be some good "pointers"
in all that...
Later
Angelo
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