Rescue Diver Course

[btscott]

Whatever the going rate in FP is, is what you will need to pay. Tank charge or not. I would not sweat it. The Dive Shop needs to make some money, and they have not been making much money lately, I assume.

With your professional creds, do you think a Solo combined with a tech course would be a good idea? My Solo training along with my PADI Tech 40 did the most for me. The rest, not so much. I am not discounting Rescue, it is a good course. Just say'n!

I was a trained AWSA safety swimmer for tournaments. While rescue is a different animal, many of the concepts are the same.

cheers,
m

Thanks, yeah. Solo and Tech would be a good idea. Limited on time between work, other activities and when planning on going to FP. So, Rescue was shortest route to CMAS 2.

 

[tursiops]

Yes, you'll want CMAS 2* there.....and RESCUE is a good course to have anyway. Lots of things you probably haven't thought about before.
Solo and tech are good....but Rescue is really about other people, not about yourself.

 

[btscott]

Yes, you'll want CMAS 2* there.....and RESCUE is a good course to have anyway. Lots of things you probably haven't thought about before.
Solo and tech are good....but Rescue is really about other people, not about yourself.

It's fine. Will take course. Appreciate the affirmation about being CMAS 2. My life as a Medic is all about other people. Just sayin

 

[NorCalDM]

You are paying rental fees one way or another if they are included the price of the class is higher and if they are not included the class price is lower then you rent gear so it's a wash.

 

[btscott]

You are paying rental fees one way or another if they are included the price of the class is higher and if they are not included the class price is lower then you rent gear so it's a wash.

Guess I'm still in the mentality of tanks and weights being included and everything else being rental. Not gonna lose sleep over it, but still find it odd. Checked with other shops and not the case with them. Dates are the only ones that work for our schedule or I would switch shops for class.

 

[TMHeimer]

You are paying rental fees one way or another if they are included the price of the class is higher and if they are not included the class price is lower then you rent gear so it's a wash.

Well, I don't know about that. If everyone else is local (from FP) then tank rental would not be part of their course fee because they'd have their own tanks there. So the OP would be paying more than them if the rental tanks are a separate fee. I know this is all about like 8 bucks, but it's interesting.

 

[Ayisha]

Taking rescue diver course for possible FP trip as they have weird dive rating system IMHO. Regardless, signed up for class. Question... am wrong to thinks it's weird to charge for tanks for the class. Never had any extra charges for OWA, AOW or Nitrox.

It's normal here for tanks to not be included for any part of a course outside of a pool, including the o/w portion of a rescue course.

If they provide tanks for a course, the rental cost is going to be built into the cost. The people who provide their own might not be happy about that.

This is however, nothing compared to what diving in FP will cost you.
When I went diving in French Polynesia in 2007, it cost me $135 to $150 US per 2-tank dive each day, which was extremely high at the time. This included all gear and there was no discount for bringing my own, but I like using my own gear. Sporting equipment traveled free back then too.

Maybe you could borrow a tank or two from someone?

 

[TMHeimer]

It's normal here for tanks to not be included for any part of a course outside of a pool, including the o/w portion of a rescue course.

If they provide tanks for a course, the rental cost is going to be built into the cost. The people who provide their own might not be happy about that.

This is however, nothing compared to what diving in FP will cost you.
When I went diving in French Polynesia in 2007, it cost me $135 to $150 US per 2-tank dive each day, which was extremely high at the time. This included all gear and there was no discount for bringing my own, but I like using my own gear. Sporting equipment traveled free back then too.

Maybe you could borrow a tank or two from someone?

It's the same here with the exception of the OW course. Shop tanks are provided for both pool and ocean checkout dives. Now whether that's just included in the price of the OW course I don't know.
As per the OP's question, the topic of rental charges for any other course has never come up when I talk to staff-- I guess it's assumed everyone has and uses their own tanks for continuing ed courses.

 

[btscott]

Appreciate the responses. Has been a number of years since I've taken a diving course, so understand it could be me. Regardless, as I stated, don't dive locally so don't need tanks. Cost is negligible for tanks in the end, but just curious about what the norm was.

Regarding cost of French Polynesia diving, yup, understand its expensive as is everything else there. But, its open... and its humpback season!! So, with Solomon's being closed, seems like a good alternative as its a short, non-stop flight from SF. But, thanks for the heads up.

 

[oly5050user]

Taking rescue diver course for possible FP trip as they have weird dive rating system IMHO. Regardless, signed up for class. Question... am wrong to thinks it's weird to charge for tanks for the class. Never had any extra charges for OWA, AOW or Nitrox.

Depends. For Confined pool cannot see being charged. For the open water environment expect to pay for rental. Here in NY we charge $10 per day rental per tank