Nishan
Contributor
I would advise to get certified first. Its easy enough to do now and guarantees a certain minimum level of training (with emphasis on minimum).
But I would oppose those who bring out doomsday scenarios for diving without certification. Under proper guidance its fine. I learnt to dive in a local dive club where we were taught by experienced divers but none of them were instructors. I did the PADI OW a year later and I know i learnt more from my club than in the PADI course. In turn I have taken people out diving despite not being an instructor. In Sri Lanka, for many years most locals just learnt from other divers as PADI courses were too expensive and were primarily marketed towards tourists. Funnily enough the the only major recreational diving accident in Sri Lanka involved a certified diver.
People with free diving experience generally become better divers as they are already comfortable in the water and have some basic skills. Wont bother discussing the incompetence of most OW students these days but intensive training would not be the word to describe what they might have completed.
Again, not knowing the people involved I would say get certified. But I dont see diving without certification under proper guidance as something that will kill you as pointed out by some here. A DM leading 4-5 Discover Scuba students woul be more dangerous in my opinion.
All depends on the individual concerned, the dive leader, and the dive site/conditions involved.
Just my two cents worth.
Cheers!
But I would oppose those who bring out doomsday scenarios for diving without certification. Under proper guidance its fine. I learnt to dive in a local dive club where we were taught by experienced divers but none of them were instructors. I did the PADI OW a year later and I know i learnt more from my club than in the PADI course. In turn I have taken people out diving despite not being an instructor. In Sri Lanka, for many years most locals just learnt from other divers as PADI courses were too expensive and were primarily marketed towards tourists. Funnily enough the the only major recreational diving accident in Sri Lanka involved a certified diver.
People with free diving experience generally become better divers as they are already comfortable in the water and have some basic skills. Wont bother discussing the incompetence of most OW students these days but intensive training would not be the word to describe what they might have completed.
Again, not knowing the people involved I would say get certified. But I dont see diving without certification under proper guidance as something that will kill you as pointed out by some here. A DM leading 4-5 Discover Scuba students woul be more dangerous in my opinion.
All depends on the individual concerned, the dive leader, and the dive site/conditions involved.
Just my two cents worth.
Cheers!