E-learning and Certification

[captnpat1982]

Being a newbe OW diver, a friend of mine asked me a question I did not know the answer.

Her daughter is interested in doing the "book learning" portion of her certification online and asked, how does she get the pool skills training and OW dives to get certified?

I could not answer that question. I would point her to my DI who trained me, but they are no longer in business or doing lessons. There are no active DI's in Beaumont, TX that I can find.

How would one get the pool skills training then arrange to go to Cozumel or similar and get the OW portion of the training?

 

[boulderjohn]

When you sign up for the eLearning online, at least with PADI, you also sign up with a shop with which to do the rest of the course. If you choose to do the eLearning online, choose the shop for the rest of the course before you sign up.

 

[alpegmusic]

Most dive certification agencies with e-learning programs require you to contact one of their instructors to get started. In your area, my agency, NAUI lists 6 active Instructors. Two of them have NAUI Homepages with direct contact information. Any of these folks can get the prospective diver started on e-learning and pool instruction and can provide a referral to complete the OW portion elsewhere. I recommend you go to NAUI Worldwide for more information.

Member	Level	Type	Address	NAUI Homepage
l
Rodger Christopher		Instructor	Texas USA 77706	Visit My Homepage
Sharon Lumpkin		Instructor	Texas USA 77707
William Childers	Course Director	Instructor	Texas USA 77651
Matthew Davis		Instructor	Texas USA 77657	Visit My Homepage
ANNE ACORD		Instructor	Texas USA 77619
Allen Acord		Instructor	Texas USA 77619

Most of the other agencies provide similar services.

-Alan Hicks, NAUI Divemaster #52432

 

[Andy Lazar]

Check and make sure your chosen dive center will honor the online class. Mine honored the work but still charged me the same amount as they would have had I sat in a classroom with them. The actually wanted to charge me more for doing the hands on nitrox testing only than they charged for the entire class......wanted to, I found an instructor to do it at a fair price.

 

[captnpat1982]

Thank you for the quick response. I will pass this information along.

 

[DivemasterDennis]

There are plenty of shops along the coast, including on Padre Island, Houston and elsewhere. I am sure you can find an appropriate facility for her to learn properly.
DivemasterDennis