GJ-> I just got back from Cancun about three weeks ago. I signed up for
 GJ-> a Scuba lesson to be followed by a dive on a reef in about `30 of
 GJ-> water. I signed up through the hotel were I was staying. When I
 GJ-> arrived at the dive shop the owner told me that the water was rough
 GJ-> and the current high and that I might want to consider going the
 GJ-> following day which I did. That day I was told that it was not as bad
 GJ-> but still rough so I decided to go ahead otherwise I was going to
 GJ-> forfeit the $70 I had already payed per the contract. So after a
 GJ-> little theory and repeted warnings about how it was going to be very
 GJ-> rough out there today me and and two others proceeded to the
 GJ-> checkout tank and put on the gear. After a few minutes I was not very
 GJ-> comfortable with the progress I was making on my breathing and had
 GJ-> trouble relaxing and felt apprehensive concerning my ability to do
 GJ-> the dive safely under the conditions that would be present at the
 GJ-> dive sight. So I told my instructor that I really didn't think under
 GJ-> the circumstances that I would be able to continue and didn't want
 GJ-> to cause problems for her and the other two students. The checkout
 GJ-> in the tank was less than 20 min. I don't think that 20 min. Scuba
 GJ-> instruction is suffecient to dive a reef in `30 feet of water under
 GJ-> even ideal conditions. Am I correct in assuming this or am I just
 GJ-> a Wimp.
This is one of the things that I feel very strongly about.  Scuba diving is a
very safe sport as long as you follow the rules.  I don't think 20 mins is 
very
long to learn the rules.  There are a few shops around here that offer 
eekend
courses.  I've been on dives with the students from these courses and felt
sorry for them and myself.  I don't think a person can learn enough in that
short a time and don't recommend any kind of a crash course.
--- Ted's Castle 
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