Confused Beginner!!

[Kevrumbo]

For the best Instruction in Southeast Asia, I recommend either Asia Divers in Puerto Galera http://www.asiadivers.com/
or in Singapore:
http://www.livingseas.com.sg/
Law of Primacy: Learn it Right and Do it Right from the Beginning. . .

 

[Zippsy]

Now that's a coincidence!! Those two shops have the only GUE instructors in South East Asia.

 

[Hammerhead]

Now that's a coincidence!! Those two shops have the only GUE instructors in South East Asia.

Not completely, fair. Asiadivers do not push GUE at all, and only one of the instructors in their sister-business 'Techasia', Martin is a GUE instructor, see link: -

http://www.asiadivers.com/techasia/index.php

Can't say abouut the Singapore outfit, but it's hardly unreasonable to find a GUE instructor at just about the only dedicated Tech diving shop in the country...

At least it's not as bad a plug as XSYNIE's 'bahrmansipidan' efforts:05:

Cheers,

 

[Zippsy]

At least it's not as bad a plug as XSYNIE's 'bahrmansipidan' efforts:05:

agreed 1000%

 

[elusion]

hmm..not doing the similans liveaboard now since doing dives at 5m, 10m, 18, 18, 18, 18... and not officially qualified for night dives won't really make sense..live in india anyway so its not too far to thailand to do it later..

Thinking of doing the OW and AOW together..anyone opposes that? Will be prepared for future liveaboards instantly..and since the rates in Thailand are much cheaper for training its better i get it over with..what say?

 

[Hammerhead]

First up, that's precisely what I did, 10 years ago.

I then carried on diving for three years, went back and 'unofficially' (as in I didn't have to pay - quiet season) did the AOW again and learnt a shed-load more than I did first time around.

My gut feeling is never to advise people to race into it, get your card and then just enjoy it for a while. Dive shallow, practice the basics, get those right and then look to the next level.

Not sure how long you've got, but this is a holiday, right? I'd say treat it as such & take the pressure off yourself.

BTW I know several divers with hundreds of dives each who never bothered with AOW, just asked, listened, learned and dived lots - great divers one & all.

It's your call in the end, but don't feel that by going through both courses, you'll necessarily be a better diver, especially if you're not going to get much chance to practice the skills between holidays.

Just my .02c - do what feels right!:14:

Cheers,

 

[Ringo]

hmm..not doing the similans liveaboard now since doing dives at 5m, 10m, 18, 18, 18, 18... and not officially qualified for night dives won't really make sense..live in india anyway so its not too far to thailand to do it later..

Thinking of doing the OW and AOW together..anyone opposes that? Will be prepared for future liveaboards instantly..and since the rates in Thailand are much cheaper for training its better i get it over with..what say?

Good decision Elusion!
Do your OW course or AOW course - whatever your decision - and enjoy a Liveaboard cruise to the Similans later once you have been certified. Also many dive operators offer the Advanced course whilst on the Liveaboard at around 150 U.S. as a special offer.

 

[Kevrumbo]

Start and complete your Basic Open Water, and go right in for your "Advanced" rating with GUE Instructor Martin Lorenzo's DIR-Fundamentals Class, Nov.19-21 --all with Asia Divers in Puerto Galera.
http://www.asiadivers.com/
http://www.asiadivers.com/techasia/index.php
IMO, the Best Recreational Scuba Training for the Money in Southeast Asia. . .