My name is Payal. I was just certified in March and can't stop thinking about diving. I generally read about 20 books a year. As of Jan, when I started my certification process, I have read 3 and 6 are waiting. All scuba books. Ya. Of all the sports to get addicted to...this one is sure to clear my savings account. In Feb before I even finished my cert I bought tickets to Malaysia and Japan to go diving (A friend of mine didn't want to go diving alone, thought I'd help her out, I'm nice like that...heh). Holy crap that was amazing. I won't be doing any trips like that any time soon since I got laid off recently (doh!) But what an incredibly sport...to see something you thought was a plant and have it suddenly move to stick it's arm into a mouth that you didn't know was there because it's licking the plankton off it's little hair like fingers....CRAZY!
Fortunately, I have been volunteering time to work on a scuba stuff so I was able to continue diving with a DM a tiny bit. I do want to buy gear...particularly a dry suit!!!! It's just overwhelming! All the things you need to consider (and money one needs to hemorrhage out) before you are truly able to buy the right dive computer, gear and before going through the certifications. I thoroughly intend to pick all of your brains about dive sites and gear. I have heard some ugly stories about people buying gear and it just not being the right stuff :( yipes!
I am currently NAUI OW certified and only have 42 dives at the moment...enough to get that Master Diver and Dive Master aye????
If any of you are DM or instructors and need a glorified dive buddy let me know. I will in fact sweep floors, organize your old record collection and paint your house in order to go diving. With that said I am good at coordinating events and getting people. So if you have space on your trip and need more people let me know. I worked as an outreach coordinator for 5 years...all I ask in return is...well take me diving! I am also a great cook 
Why diving? I am super interested in dive research (hyperbaric medicine) and dive physiology (especially related to deep diving). Yes...I want to go to 1,000 ft for the sake of research (and for cool points). If you know of any dive programs, research programs (which I am currently applying to one) and volunteer opportunities that don't rip off divers by having them pay an arm and leg to volunteer please let me know!
Other than that...LET'S DIVE!!!!!!!!
