Cozumel Advice

[Karibelle]

I am PADI certified and this is something we have discussed but have been advised from another source on here ( a reputable one, not that others are not) that I should NOT at this point. I would like to hear others opinions on this. I have read on here, in another section, many people have followed immediately w/ the AOW and others have got several dives logged prior.
My main interest is the buoyancy training part of the course.

Consider doing the Peak Performance Buoyancy course. It's two dives (the first being the same as the dive you'd do if you chose that as an option in your AOW) with skills, games, tips and tricks, and fun. If you check out our "students" album in the link in my sig, there are several "after" photos of divers who were in much the same position as you are. A day spent with an instructor whose focus is on you and your diving, and how to make that better for YOU is a great way to spend your time.

Good luck and have fun!

kari

 

[goclimbing]

Everyone has opinions - it' all comes down to what are you comfortable with. The advanced PADI course doesn't make you an 'advanced' diver per say, in my opinion that only comes with doing more dives and refining your skills. The advanced certification does however give you further knowledge in 5 areas of diving of your choice (2 compulsory and 3 are your choice) compared to what you learned in your OW course. It's all up to you, but the pbb option would help the two points you've noted you need to work on. I did my AOW as dives 9-14 and then did an additional 13 dives the same trip and enjoyed the additional dives much more as I was more aware of aspects I learned in AOW. That's all. Whatever you choose to do, you will love diving in Cozumel. The reefs are beautiful!!

This is really very true and a big reason why SSI doesn't have an AOW course. You get awarded your "advanced cert" after 24 dives and 4 specialty courses.

And the part about loving Coz... yup!

 

[djdande]

My brother and I have been diving with Aldora for the past 5+ years...it's the only dive op we use and could not be happier...they treat you like family and will help you in anyway possible..They assign you to one of their boats with divers of the same skill level and will pick up at your resort dock. Ask for Memo and tell him the Midway Mafia divers recommended them...we will be going down there the end of August for 10 days...

 

[Mossman]

This is really very true and a big reason why SSI doesn't have an AOW course. You get awarded your "advanced cert" after 24 dives and 4 specialty courses.

Which still hardly qualifies to make someone "advanced". I don't even consider myself very advanced compared to the deep tech and cave divers. "Advanced beginner" would be much better nomenclature IMO.

 

[cvchief]

Which still hardly qualifies to make someone "advanced". I don't even consider myself very advanced compared to the deep tech and cave divers. "Advanced beginner" would be much better nomenclature IMO.

I wish we got little patches for our swim trunks....

 

[Gdog]

Haha...Chief you crack me up. Id love to see the little patches on the trunks, but where would they be placed on the trunks??!! Sorry...thread hijack I know. Good stuff tho!

 

[Canadian Girl]

....and where would us ladies put that on our bikinis?!

 

[Carlos Diver]

``....and where would us ladies put that on our bikinis?!''

It's a trap!!

 

[bhenson]

We are reluctantly home from Cozumel and I will soon go in depth but just a quick note to say THANK YOU VERY MUCH for all the advice I was given.
I am 52 yrs old and have set 2 records on this trip:
1. I had never gone 9 days without socks
2. I had NEVER been on a vacation that I was not ready to come home ATLEAST 2 days before it was scheduled.
That, I will never say again.
Let me put it this way, We bought into a program with the plans to come back atleast 4 times a year. While I am sure there are other good dive ops, I will always dive with Aldora, and will always request to have Ernesto as my DM.
With his guidance and firm direction we completed our AOW. We may have the AOW but we are not Advanced divers but better trained how to advance in diving. His compassion for diving, his extensive training and ability to explain why was phenomenal.
The people of Cozumel were beyond heart touching!
Some with such simple life's but truly happy in where they were. I was always greeted with a sincere smile and never felt like a foreigner. Than I went to my homeland and saw where the line was formed, at the yellow line on the carpet at customs and I kiddingly told my wife this is where our vacation ends. How is it that a simple area such as Cozumel, with all the natural beauty above and below sea level can generate people that are so happy, when some countries that are truly blessed can generate nothing but or atleast 80% unhappy selfish people?
This was a great vacation but also an unplanned time to re-evaluate my own standards and I thank the people of Cozumel for opening my eyes, I have been blessed!

 

[robint]

We are reluctantly home from Cozumel and I will soon go in depth but just a quick note to say THANK YOU VERY MUCH for all the advice I was given.
I am 52 yrs old and have set 2 records on this trip:
1. I had never gone 9 days without socks
2. I had NEVER been on a vacation that I was not ready to come home ATLEAST 2 days before it was scheduled.
That, I will never say again.
Let me put it this way, We bought into a program with the plans to come back atleast 4 times a year. While I am sure there are other good dive ops, I will always dive with Aldora, and will always request to have Ernesto as my DM.
With his guidance and firm direction we completed our AOW. We may have the AOW but we are not Advanced divers but better trained how to advance in diving. His compassion for diving, his extensive training and ability to explain why was phenomenal.
The people of Cozumel were beyond heart touching!
Some with such simple life's but truly happy in where they were. I was always greeted with a sincere smile and never felt like a foreigner. Than I went to my homeland and saw where the line was formed, at the yellow line on the carpet at customs and I kiddingly told my wife this is where our vacation ends. How is it that a simple area such as Cozumel, with all the natural beauty above and below sea level can generate people that are so happy, when some countries that are truly blessed can generate nothing but or atleast 80% unhappy selfish people?
This was a great vacation but also an unplanned time to re-evaluate my own standards and I thank the people of Cozumel for opening my eyes, I have been blessed!

This is great to hear. And............. you are now officially a Cozaholic. Welcome to the club.

robin