dpmorrisjr
New
I would just like to comment on my recent training down in the Keys. Several months ago I received my PADI Open Water training by an extremely competent and experienced local agency, Coral Reef Dive Shop in Slidell, LA (Thanks Rick!). I was told that it would be more than beneficial to progress to the Advanced Open Water training as it was not really the second stage of overall dive training but more realistically the 2nd half of the Open Water training certification itself. Having experienced my initial dives at several sites in Panama City, FL (which was awesome), I was more than anxious to head south to try out my new skills in the Dive capital of the world, Key Largo. I knew I would need a guide and decided it would be to my advantage to not only explore one of the most beautiful places in the world but to continue my training at the same time. I initially signed up with a very reputable retail PADI dive shop who was very responsive with sending me the necessary study materials. However, I was very leery about the attention I would receive with the bigger shops as they have a tendency to shuffle not only their customers through their programs, but the sheer size requires them to shuffle around their trainers so prior communications with the trainer you would get to attempt to get more acquainted prior to arrival was near impossible.In the days leading up to my trip, I decided to research the area a little more carefully. My current local instructor, Rick Sutton, is a highly skilled Technical Diver who's insight extends over and above the standard cert info and is above reproach. This led me to the discovery of Diving with Elena.
To divert for a moment,on one hand you hare large commercial retail dive shops that are one stop everything you need for your dive vacation. they follow a strict script and ensure that you get exactly what you expect. Then you have the specialists. These are the shops who show you what you need to not only receive your cert,, but how to succeed, exceed, survive, give you the tools to advance, and the understanding of what it is you are trying to accomplish.
At Diving with Elena, Elena and Pete exceeded my expectations beyond measure. Not only was their training the type of information I will process for a long time to come, but they were able to work with me and my schedule in a way that I don't believe the larger agencies would be able to accommodate.I had multiple conversations with them prior to my arrival to ensure we were on the same page and comfortable with expectations throughout the entire training session. I have been fortunate to find such invaluable trainers with a background in technical diving. Where some trainers will show you the 1,2,3,4 step dance, they will make sure you understand and are comfortable with step 1 before progressing to step 2. and might even through in a step 1.5 just for added insight.
just an FYI, The Advanced cert. I am pursuing is NASE as I find there methods more in line with my mode of thinking. Not that there is anything wrong with the others, i.e. PADI, but I find NASE's history in commercial technical training more in line with the mindset of safety that I appreciate. Recreational or Commercial, safety is and should be job one.
For anyone interested in venturing into this incredible world of diving but have any reservations, let this group take you for a day in Pennekamp Park, introduce you to a couple of lobster dens, and before you know it you will be following them to wrecks and depths you would not have imagined possible.
To divert for a moment,on one hand you hare large commercial retail dive shops that are one stop everything you need for your dive vacation. they follow a strict script and ensure that you get exactly what you expect. Then you have the specialists. These are the shops who show you what you need to not only receive your cert,, but how to succeed, exceed, survive, give you the tools to advance, and the understanding of what it is you are trying to accomplish.
At Diving with Elena, Elena and Pete exceeded my expectations beyond measure. Not only was their training the type of information I will process for a long time to come, but they were able to work with me and my schedule in a way that I don't believe the larger agencies would be able to accommodate.I had multiple conversations with them prior to my arrival to ensure we were on the same page and comfortable with expectations throughout the entire training session. I have been fortunate to find such invaluable trainers with a background in technical diving. Where some trainers will show you the 1,2,3,4 step dance, they will make sure you understand and are comfortable with step 1 before progressing to step 2. and might even through in a step 1.5 just for added insight.
just an FYI, The Advanced cert. I am pursuing is NASE as I find there methods more in line with my mode of thinking. Not that there is anything wrong with the others, i.e. PADI, but I find NASE's history in commercial technical training more in line with the mindset of safety that I appreciate. Recreational or Commercial, safety is and should be job one.
For anyone interested in venturing into this incredible world of diving but have any reservations, let this group take you for a day in Pennekamp Park, introduce you to a couple of lobster dens, and before you know it you will be following them to wrecks and depths you would not have imagined possible.