Finding a dive shop to certify with...

[Bibendum]

Hi All -

I am new to this board so I'd thought I'd say hello and ask a couple questions at the same time.

After years of snorkeling and always wanting to learn to dive, I am finally going to do it this year! My question is; What is the best way to find a shop to get certified with? I have stopped by a couple local shops and gotten some info., but what other specific questions I should be asking other than whether they do PADI or NAUI and the student to instructor ratio?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[Parrothead_Diver]

Hi All -

I am new to this board so I'd thought I'd say hello and ask a couple questions at the same time.

After years of snorkeling and always wanting to learn to dive, I am finally going to do it this year! My question is; What is the best way to find a shop to get certified with? I have stopped by a couple local shops and gotten some info., but what other specific questions I should be asking other than whether they do PADI or NAUI and the student to instructor ratio?

Thanks for any advice!

The best way to search is not to look at the dive shops, but rather to look at the instructor. A good instructor will make a good diver regardless of where they teach or what agency they are certified through.

So talk directly to the instructor at each of your LDS (Local Dive Shops) and get a feel for them. If you are not comfortable with them out of the water then it will only we worse when in the water and under a little bit of stress. Also, if possible talk to the instructor on a couple of different occasions because first impressions may not always be indicitive of thier true personalities (I found this one out the hard way).

Secondly, talk to local divers and get there opinion about instructors and/or shops. After all nobody knows divers like divers...

Lastly, Welcome to the diving community.

 

[Hyper-limits]

First I would not worry to much if it is PADI,NAUI,SDI etc. A good instructor is a good instructor doesn't matter what agency he teach for. If you could talk to divers who have taken a course from one of the shop you visited it would be the best or even somebody on the board. Because if you ask the shop they will tell you that they have the best instructor in town and that they will spend twice as much time in the water than any other shop in town bah bah bah. After you find an instructor you could ask him about his experience (how long his been teaching), you could even ask to see his log book. What king of dive does he do when he is not teaching.

 

[triton94949]

I agree with the others who have told you to try to talk to the actual instructor(s) who will be teaching the class. That is the most important thing.

If you read well, and if you can learn from reading, which many people cannot, then the quality of the instruction materials will matter to you as well. If that is the case with you, then you may want to take a look at the student manual as well. If it looks like a comic book, and that is your level of comprehension, then that is fine for you. Otherwise, you may benefit from more sophisticated teaching materials.

The other thing to think about is the quality of the equipment that the store offers. If they offer ScubaPro and/or Atomic, then you hit the jackpot. That means its a really great store. If they offer mostly cheap stuff, then that is a different story.

 

[neil]

I agree with the others who have told you to try to talk to the actual instructor(s) who will be teaching the class. That is the most important thing.
If you read well, and if you can learn from reading, which many people cannot, then the quality of the instruction materials will matter to you as well. If that is the case with you, then you may want to take a look at the student manual as well. If it looks like a comic book, and that is your level of comprehension, then that is fine for you. Otherwise, you may benefit from more sophisticated teaching materials.
The other thing to think about is the quality of the equipment that the store offers. If they offer ScubaPro and/or Atomic, then you hit the jackpot. That means its a really great store. If they offer mostly cheap stuff, then that is a different story.

Hey Bibendum,
Triton still hasn't gotten over lobster season being over in California. He'll be okay soon.

Seriously though, as Hyper & Parrothead said, interview shops and instructors if you get the chance. Don't put up with hard sell for classes OR gear, that's just bad form, IMO. You don't know the first thing about scuba gear ( I assume) so you shouldn't be making any decisions based upon what brands the shop sells. Do your own research and reading and you'll learn lots in short order. If you are one of the (according to Triton) select few people who are able to learn from reading, you can learn a lot from ANY agency's manual, and the internet. And what's wrong with comic books anyway?

 

[DiveMaven]

Not only would I talk to the instructor to make sure that you get along well with him/her, but I would also ask to watch the first in-pool session of a class. That will tell you a lot about how they work with their students while teaching them how to gear up poolside. You're looking for a good instructor, not just a nice person!

 

[Wijbrandus]

Bibendum,

If you fill out your profile, or tell us where you live, some one might have a recommendation in your area.

Definitely get recommendations from those with experience. It will really help. And trust your gut instincts. Meet the instructor before you sign up.

 

[Stirling]

Bibendum, If you fill out your profile, or tell us where you live, some one might have a recommendation in your area. Definitely get recommendations from those with experience. It will really help. And trust your gut instincts. Meet the instructor before you sign up.

I think that's excellent advice. If you can find a place where you can talk to other divers in your area - maybe here, but maybe there are other options in your community - ask around. One reason for preferring one place to another is that they sponsor such gatherings, which may be where you find your future dive buddies and groups. And some places cater to divers who do the kind of diving you want to do, while others cater more to divers whose interests are different from yours.

I would caution you against instructors who have "machismo" issues, or whose big selling point is that you won't actually have to do or learn anything to get certified. When it comes to instruction, you want to learn the material thoroughly and learn how to be safe - not just get in the water at the first opportunity - because you will be out on your own and making your own decisions very quickly after getting certified. None of the basic OW stuff is hard to learn, but it is important to get it right.

 

[Bibendum]

Thanks for all the advice. I am in Northern California, in San Leandro. I have checked a couple programs so far - one at a LDS near my house, and one near my work in Redwood City. I will ask to talk to the instructors from now on too!

One thing I have noticed is that some shops offer more OW dives for certification than others. Should I look to find a program that offers more dives, or just the required number (which I think is 4, right?). One of the shops I went to has a free "try diving" pool session next weekend, so I may try that as well just to check it out and meet the instructors.

Thanks again!

 

[yknot]

One problem with interviewing an instructor or watching a class is that you don't have any basis to compare good with bad. Some instructors look great in the pool and absolutely horrible in open water. Training agencies do not exist for the benefit of a diver in training. They are more like trade organizations set up for the dive shop and instructors. You need to assess the LDS and it's owner/manager business philosophy. Well run, solid businesses tend to attract good people. Ask how much the training will cost and what is included in that price. I would consider an owner to be using deceptive methods if, for example, the initial training price was low but didn't include equipment use (at least BC, reg, wetsuit, tank) or checkout dives. Find out a shop's policy on personal gear obtained from an outside source. The fins and mask that a new diver walks in with didn't necessarily come from an internet discounter. You may have a friend or relative that dives and offers you the use of their stuff. If you end up liking the sport and sticking with it, your relationship with the LDS is equally important as the instructor. Not all instructors are certified to the level you may end up wanting to progress with.