Brand new to scuba - looking for advice

[ChuckP]

You would absolutely have to at least get started with pool and classroom at home before your trip. Most certifying agencies have a maximum number of training dives you are allowed to do in a day and the number is less than the total number of confined water dives and the total number of open water dives you need to get to OW Diver. That is, you need at least two days of pool/classroom and at least two days of open water checkout. 4 > 3 days of vacation you are planning.

In addition, you have a 3 day, 3 night trip, which really means 2 days, 3 nights because you won't likely arrive early enough in the morning to do much. Even more, you need to allow yourself 24 hours after your last dive before you leave on a plane , so if your trip is Monday - Thursday (MWF nights), arrive on Monday at noon, you can dive on Tuesday (maybe Monday if you find somebody willing to work with you late) and Wednesday, but only if your flight home is in the afternoon on Thursday and you complete your dives early. Even trying to cram in checkout dives in that short of a trip is going to be difficult and you won't get the chance to do any fun diving.

I think you are also limited to only 3 adventure dives per day for AOW, so you would need another 2 days for that.

My recommendation would normally be to try to do your certification in whatever mudhole of quarry your local shop takes you to, and then enjoy how much better Cozumel is than that. But, since it's already late October, you might not be able to do a checkout near Pitt in the next month because of water conditions. My shop (in Iowa) has already finished our OW checkouts for the year and we won't start doing them again until May, but we do pool/classroom year round and send referrals for checkouts. In your case, I would actually recommend just enjoying what you can of Cozumel, which is still a lot, and if you get the urge to do it again (you will) get certified and go back as a diver next year. I fell in love with Cozumel when I went snorkeling there and I got certified and went back as a diver the next year.

ETA - Many shops will do what's called a "Resort Course" where they do some minimal in water training with you and then let you do an actual, closely supervised, shallow dive on scuba in open water. You don't have to be certified for that and you won't get certified as a result, but it's a good 1-day option for you. It's also a low cost way to find out if scuba is something you really want to do (maybe $150 vs. up to $1,000 for a full cert).

PADI has a class called discover scuba diving, it allows you to see if scuba diving is for you - if you’re unsure or have any doubts, definitely more cost effective route cause if you don’t like it, you’re out only that minimal cost. Discover scuba training can carry over to PADI open water training, doesn’t really save you much time at all as the bare minimum is covered in discover.

 

[ReefHound]

You would absolutely have to at least get started with pool and classroom at home before your trip. Most certifying agencies have a maximum number of training dives you are allowed to do in a day and the number is less than the total number of confined water dives and the total number of open water dives you need to get to OW Diver. That is, you need at least two days of pool/classroom and at least two days of open water checkout. 4 > 3 days of vacation you are planning.

I agree with your premise that pool and classroom should be done prior but I'm pretty sure the max 3 training dives per day applies only to open water dives. Pool work is not considered a dive and is not logged as one even in training.

 

[ChuckP]

I agree with your premise that pool and classroom should be done prior but I'm pretty sure the max 3 training dives per day applies only to open water dives. Pool work is not considered a dive and is not logged as one even in training.

It logged as a confined water dive and doesn’t count toward the max three.

You can do it all in two days - you gotta be great, and you’re gonna be whooped, not the way I’d suggest spending a vacation.

 

[DandyDon]

After three days, you're going to wish you'd booked a week long trip.

Still, I agree with Gordy: Do the AOW on another trip after enough dives to feel comfortable.

Do you each own your own mask, snorkel, fins, and safety sausage? Are you covered by DAN dive insurance yet?

 

[GameChanger]

Just get the basic certification for now. A lot of the rest of them are money grabbing marketing ploys by the dive industry associations. After getting 25-50 quality dives under your belt, then consider the more advanced levels if you like. I gotta admit, I have been shown more advanced dive techniques by some of the awesome DM's I have dove with in the Caribbean and other spots.
JMHO/YMMV
[/flamesuit-ON]

 

[deepsea21]

Yeah, I have 400 or 500+ dives (I don't know as I stopped logging dives years ago) and have been diving for how long? Let me check... I was certified in April of 2002 so that is 17 years ago and I've never sought an additional certification beyond my OW cert nor has holding just the OW cert ever impacted my ability to dive anywhere. Times are changing though and some report without these advanced certs you may be limited by dive ops but I'd say get the OW cert and consider advanced levels after that if you have the need and find yourself limited by the basic OW cert. One becomes a better and safer diver over time by diving with and listening/learning from those who have more experience you are diving with, not taking more money grabbing BS courses that can lead to a false sense of security and a false level of confidence both of which can lead to dire consequences. 16 year olds are handed drivers licenses every day.... Do ya want to get in a car with a 16 year licensed driver at the wheel and let him/her drive ya around anywhere? Not me. Just my opinion.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

To the OP,

I think if @Jim Lapenta isn't too far, I HIGHLY recommend him as an instructor. His book: https://www.amazon.com/SCUBA-Practical-Guide-New-Diver-ebook/dp/B00I9K2KW4/, is a must read for new divers and instructors alike.

 

[wgw04024]

Spend a few more days, and do it in Key Largo and do the whole thing. No current either.

 

[Hogfxstxc]

Take your time and do this while at home. Becoming a certified diver should be a fun experience and doing it while rushed on vacation will make it not so enjoyable.

 

[DandyDon]

Key Largo...No current either.

Well, that depends on the dive site. A newbie should not dive the Key Largo area wrecks with currents, but I got insta-buddied with a few on those. Then I bought my pony that has been on dozens of trips with me.