IDC Hidden Costs, Choice

[jar546]

Currently evaluating different CDC's for the IDC program when starting as a PADI AI.

For cost savings, I like the idea of a "dorm" set up, however, that has the potential for a personality conflict or privacy/quiet time problem (music. burping, farting, snoring, etc.) so I am thinking that may not be a good idea. Maybe there are other setups like paying extra for a private room rather than trying to find a resort/hotel nearby.

There appear to be options all over the world and I am definitely looking for a warm weather location since I already spend too much time in cold water with a drysuit. One of the other concerns I have is if there are any hidden costs that others have encountered which were not discussed with the CDC before hand.

Thoughts and opinions please.

Thank you.

 

[DBailey]

Here are the only things that I can come up with...

1. The "what-if" gear was something I didn't plan for. For example, if one your assigned skills is knot tying, do you have the length(s) of rope? If you are assigned the skill of lifting a >10lb object, do you have a lift bag? At my IDC a handful of us had liftbags, and we just passed them to the people that had that skill. For the rope, we actually went to the hardware store to buy some.

2. Any extra diving planned? My classmates lacked the required number of dives to complete the certification. There were a few that would go out in off hours to increased their dive count.

3. MOF. We owed the course director a case of beer if caught with mask on forehead. I was busted on the boat at the dock while we were loading everything on the boat. I paid my "fine" then helped him drink half of them.

 

[RU4SKUBA]

Flight, ground transportation, accommodations, diving costs, tuition, books, equipment purchases, insurance, agency fees, hyperbaric fees, and maintenance. Don't forget spending money, grocery fund, and an emergency fund...

 

[DevonDiver]

3. MOF. We owed the course director a case of beer if caught with mask on forehead. I was busted on the boat at the dock while we were loading everything on the boat.

They should beer-fine Course Directors for encouraging this sort of nonsense.



Jar.. many of the costs of IDC are pretty standardised. Anything that is 'centralised' from PADI, such as; manuals, application fees, IE fees etc will be the same wherever.

The rest of the costs are localised... normally driven by inter-IDC centre competition and also dictated by local costs of living. So, ideally, you want to find a place with lots IDC centres competing for students..and a cheap cost of living.

Koh Tao, Pattaya and Phuket in Thailand certainly fit that model.

The IDC centre should be very up-front with you about the total costs, including PADI fees. Before you book, just drop them an email saying "are you sure there's no more costs...as I won't be bringing any more money with me..."

 

[Bubble Junky]

Make sure you have the full set of required equipment, as per GS&P in the Instructor Manual, esp signalling devices, compass and 'timing device' etc.

The fees to PADI are normally paid direct to PADI via credit card (you fill in the details on the papaerwork).

Most dive centres I've worked at wil supply the rope and lift bag/carabiner for the related skills...

 

[Bubble Junky]

Oh, and get yourself a calculator (mobile phone not allowed at IE)...

 

[=C=]

I did mine in vero beach fl. The only unplanned costs ended up being a full suit because of a freezing pool, a CD rom drive for a laptop that didn't have one, some office supplies, ladies hair scrunchies to organize dive slates, sponges to erase dive slates (3m makes em), the occasional night out with the group, a couple of small items like a line cutter for a presentation, calculator, and an extra pocket mask.

It was a dorm setup and the costs were laid out ahead of time and we had a big discount at the dive shop if we needed anything.

 

[Islandheart]

If you like warm weather, all inclusive and a great group of CDs, then EASE at Vero Beach is the place to go.

Call Val, she'll give you all costs and you can go to their website too.

 

[jar546]

Thanks for the info Islandheart

 

[mselenaous]

I did mine in vero beach fl. The only unplanned costs ended up being a full suit because of a freezing pool, a CD rom drive for a laptop that didn't have one, some office supplies, ladies hair scrunchies to organize dive slates, sponges to erase dive slates (3m makes em), the occasional night out with the group, a couple of small items like a line cutter for a presentation, calculator, and an extra pocket mask.

It was a dorm setup and the costs were laid out ahead of time and we had a big discount at the dive shop if we needed anything.

If you like warm weather, all inclusive and a great group of CDs, then EASE at Vero Beach is the place to go.

Call Val, she'll give you all costs and you can go to their website too.

+1 on EASE.

Here is a previous thread with some more info.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/going-pro/382014-florda-keys-cdc-idc.html