Halls Diving......Worth the Cost & Time?

[beachbum250ex]

New Diver here. Thinking about going to Halls Diving in the FL KEYS for the 1 week certified repair technician program to gain some income while I am finishing my studies in college. Has anyone attended the program or the school?

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

If you already have a prospective employer, guaranteeing you "regular, continuing income" there are a number of "Instructor Factories" that may be able to supply the required certification courses.

AFAIU, no one "Factory" can issue manufacturer certified certs for all manufacturers equipment, because some manufacturers only certify with their own "instructors" and have "arrangements" only with specific "Factories".

I went to Ocean Divers in Key Largo, which was (is) a ScubaPro only dealer, but my equipment course did not result in ScubaPro certification because no ScubaPro equipment rep made it to our repair sessions.

Is Hall's where your prospective employer is wanting you to get certified?

 

[Jim Lapenta]

In addition only a couple places will sell you parts kits if you are not with a shop. And then if you plan to do it to make money you need to look into how much liablilty insurance will cost you.

 

[beachbum250ex]

wow, i had no idea about the liability insurance. This is just an idea i had....im actually going to talk to a couple of shops before i just jump in to something. If i was working for a shop would they pay the insurance?

 

[Jill from Phoenix]

I went to Hall's more than 10 years ago, and I loved it. I run into Hall's graduates all the time and we have this instant fraternal bond for going through the same quality program together. With the average life of an instructor being only 2-3 years, I know many people that even went in the 80s and are still actively working in the industry full time. We worked on Scubapro and Mares regs then, I'm not sure how much work there is for a regulator tech. But maybe if you were to start your own repair business if that's your true niche. Maybe you should consider taking a DM or Instructor program. There's lots of summer work for college students as DM's or Instructors, plus you could teach other students during the school year or organize winter and spring break trips.

 

[usmctracker21]

I am also considering attending Hall's right now I have completed my AOW, I am trying to find out if the school is worth the money.

 

[The Chairman]

Hall's is a class act and will be quite up front about what's included in their programs. Give them a call.

 

[socalrider2005]

im currently enrolled in halls academy right now, its a blast! and as for jobs your guarenteed 100% job placement where BOB has connections, lol and theyre all over the world so your good, i come from san diego cali and he's already got me jobs lined up in oahu hawaii, he'll set up the jobs for you and you got to go interview and take it from there, and the school gives you all the study material, the people are awesome down here, so pretty much just dive in the keys, get drunk at the tiki bars and spear fish or snorkel, its a small town though, but key west is 20 miles down so its good, everything is walking distance i was going to drive but a flight and a bicycle are really the way to go, you can get a nice beach cruiser for 150$ write me if you got anymore