LDS – specialty training in New England

[lord1234]

Soggy, you're not an idiot. We just need to make a distinction between "tech diver" and "idiot." Just kidding.

I agree completely with Soggy that the best tech trainers - other than Tom Huff at Northeast Scuba - are really not working out of dive shops at all. They're running charters and getting out there routinely. I was hoping to make the jump into technical training this summer, maybe get in some Advanced Nitrox and wreck training. I'll get it in at some point next year, and my first choice will always be Northern Atlantic Dive Expeditions.

In terms of recreational specialty training, I can personally vouch for the courses and instruction offered at East Coast Divers. I teach most of them. Additionally, I'll be teaching u/w video classes and seminars there in the new year.

Another great shop for rec training on the advanced end is The Dive Locker in Hyannis, MA. Mike Walls definitely knows his onions and has been doing it right for quite a while.

While I can give EC divers my AOK stamp of approval...Tom is a jerk. He is not in this sport for diving, he is in it for the money. Look at his prices on just about anything...ridiculous....I just don't like Tom.

 

[PeaceDog]

Tom is a jerk. He is not in this sport for diving, he is in it for the money. Look at his prices on just about anything...ridiculous....I just don't like Tom.

You may be right about his prices, I haven't checked that closely. What I do know is that he's out diving quite a bit and in the Massachusetts locale, he is definitely a trailblazer when it comes to extended-range techniques and instruction. So in terms of a local shop that knows their tech, Northeast Scuba's hard to beat.

In New England, retail scuba is a whoooole other landmine...

 

[joeabroad]

While I can give EC divers my AOK stamp of approval...Tom is a jerk. He is not in this sport for diving, he is in it for the money. Look at his prices on just about anything...ridiculous....I just don't like Tom.

For us uninitiated-who is this Tom?

Regarding EC Divers, though...I was certified by them, bought most of my gear from them, and remain very loyal, but their prices are very high, too. For example, their recent price for a PST HP 100 was $399. Everywhere else in the world seems to sell them for $349. Another LDS - a very good, active one - had Worthington HP 100s on sale for $289, regular price $319. At that point there's not much question of where I am going to buy.