I'm a Padi certified Instructor as well as an IANTD (International Association of Nitrox and Technical Divers) instructor. I am certified as a gas blender and a scuba technician (scuba mechanic). I worked at one of the busiest stores in Vancouver for almost 3 years. My favorite class was teaching rescue divers and teaching night dive specialties. On one night dive in Campbell River we encountered a school of mud sharks and in with them were a few blue sharks. We saw a number of sharks over 6 feet long, all in a marina. Gabriola Island has some amazing diving as well, with Gabriola pass being the most amazing drift dive. We did one dive through the pass while a pod of Orca was going through, I myself didn't see them but you could hear them underwater. I was loving it until I reallized I was wearing a black dry suit I tought, Geez, I bet I look like a 200lbs seal... anyway fun was had by all.
You don't have to be a strong swimmer, I did the open water swim test on my back. After I got certified advanced open water I started swimming lessons.
Asthma isn't an end all when it comes to scuba but you MUST talk to your Doctor about it. Don't forget the air you breath in scuba is probably the cleanest air you'll ever find. Scuba doesn't take much of a physical effort but if your asthma is stress induced it can be a problem.
I've never been warm water diving but can honestly say, if Jacque Cousteau says Campbell River and Barkley Sound are two of the worlds best dive sites, that's good enough for me.
FWIW I spent 5 years in the Navy, I got to dive on both of the ships I served on after they were sunk as artificial reefs. The feeling of diving on a ship I lived on was very very humbling.
Doug
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