Learn-in Asia diving school

[Carribeandiver]

I am strongly considering taking dive courses in Thailand with the Learn-in-Asia scuba diving instructor course. (Learn-in-Asia.com)
Of course this is a big step, no, make that a giant step. The program states they can take a non-diver and train him to be an instructor in 6 months of training, courses and internship training.
Lucky for me, I already dive and have OW and set to soon to get AOW. So, I would need Rescue, Dive Master and then the Instructor course.
But to do all that, I would need to spend 3-6 months in Thailand undergoing the transformation to barely staying alive underwater to being so proficient that I teach others how to do it.
Also the main guy, chief instructor, head honcho, Steve Blumenthal, recently died so I do not know who is now running the show.
This may mean selling my house, selling or abandoning my law practice, getting rid of my clothes, my car, my other stuff and changing my whole way of living.
The other thing to consider is that I will get a job, when training is successfully completed that will pay probably $2000 or less a month. I know the cost of living in Thailand/asia isnt as much as it is in the U.S. but that sure seems like a pittance.
Does anyone know anything about this Learn-in-Asia dive instruction program?
It seems pretty cheap considering the program includes living accommodations, dives, course fees and training plus they provide a full set of gear.
Now, I already have a full set of gear, even have several masks, fins, and misc stuff but to get a full set of gear for around $500, I think I will take the new gear instead of the $500 credit.
Thank you, in advance, for your input and opinions.

 

[limbo]

Starting at Rescue diver level, about 4 months should be right.

Mermaids is a good school and have a solid program.

Looking at what you have to do in order to start your courses, it is a giant step but if this is what you want you to do, it's worthwhile, although it will be a change in lifestyle in many ways.

There's more options out there in Thailand, did you check some other options out?

 

[Scuba-Jay]

Sounds like you are ready to make the plunge. I myself returned from a tour in Afghanistan in Feb, and decided i wanted a new career. I went down to the Keys and took my DM with Rainbow Reef. They offer a 6 month internship where you work for them in exchange for the courses...at the end of the 6 months, you walk out a OWSI (assuming you are competent). I chose to take their paid DM course rather than the internship, and it was a good program. All of the interns down there also seemed happy with the arrangement, although the hours are long. Bill (the DM course instructor) is very knowledgeable and friendly and will make sure you leave his class prepared. Housing is provided to the interns and the experience they gain working hands on at a dive shop is huge! I had planned on going back to them next month for my IDC, but have since met and spoken with Andy Phillips, the course director at Utila Dive Center in Honduras. I had heard nothing but good things about these guys, and after speaking with him I'm sold. I'm heading out to Utila in Feb to DM for a few months and then take my IDC. I'm still paying for the course (this isn't an internship) but I'll still be getting some nice wet time prior to the IDC, which i believe is important when deciding to become an instructor. The diving there is next to none, you can rent an apartment for under $300 a month, and so long as you do well, there are a lot of jobs available in the region. I had looked at diveinasia also, but decided they seemed too much like a mass production plant...I want the personal attention!! ( =

Good luck to you and keep your options open. If you do decide to make Utila your IDC of choice, drop me a PM and we can talk about sharing an apartment!!!

Scuba-Jay

 

[Ringo]

It also depends on whether Pattaya would be your scene. If you are into the bar/ night scene after hours then this area of Thailand would suit you. Also the diving there is not indicative of the best that Thailand has to offer. So if you are looking for the better diving then you would have to consider other areas in Thailand. Should you decide to go to Pattaya - Mermaids is a very reputable operation and their offer is a good deal.

 

[Garrobo]

"When there are too many policemen there can be no liberty. When there are too many soldiers there can be no peace. When there are too many lawyers there can be no justice." Lin Yutang (1895-1976)

I don't know how this correlates to the 200,000 dive instructors there are in the US (many of them not working) compared to the 1,000,000 lawyers, but I do know that the diving community is much smaller than the 300,000,000 population looking for an excuse to sue someone. I also know that the successful lawyer makes light years more income than the average dive instructor. So unless you have compiled a large amount of money lately or you just are fed up with it and want a life style change I wouldn't burn any bridges. Other than that, what a way to go through life, going out on a couple of dives a day in some tropical paradise and getting paid (not much) for it.

 

[Carribeandiver]

My practice ONLY handles criminal defense. I have never and will never handle any type of civil cases. That means I pass on big dollar cases to take what makes me happy.
I truly believe that if we do not protect the US Constitution and try our best to perserve the rights, privileges and immunities we were guaranteed by those incredibly wise and great, creators of the the greatest document in the history of mankind, then all of us will suffer.
I also know that although both lawyers and attorneys are members of the Bar and equal in title, they are not equal in performance. In my humble opinion, attorneys are those that take a case and rush to settle it -- plead the guy guilty, settle the civil claim, dont read any police reports, dont talk to any witnesses, dont investigate and dont work to achieve the best possible outcome. Whereas lawyers are those that actually practice law and strive to reach the best result regardless of the time and effort involved.
Unfortunately, we have way too many attorneys and not enough lawyers. My mentor, advisor, man I admire most taught me to work as a lawyer and while I may reluctantly admit I do not always succeed, I try very earnestly to reach the best possible outcome for my clients and to find justice for us all.
Now as to diving, money is not a goal for me nor does it way heavily into my decisions.
I started law school late in life and if I go off to diving adventures, that will be also be late in life but happiness is not something one procrastinates in finding.
My children are grown, I have good health, sit in good physical condition - not overweight, decently built as I workout at the gym 3 times a week come rain or shine, and have the fortunate circumstance of being able to change directions if I choose to.
I also know that if I become disenchanted as an instructor, I can always come back to law or whatever else I become drawn to. Also, I would have to know in my heart of hearts that I was a good instructor and really helped people. If not, the world would be better off with me doing something else.
Hell, if people live their life chasing money, they will never reach the stars that hold our dreams, peace and happiness. Dont make money a fixture, earn enough to pay your bills, entertain yourself, afford your whims, support your loved ones and the rest is unnecessary.

After more research, I have investigated (or am investigating) two other dive schools in Thailand and thanks to Scuba-Jay, I am looking into the Utilia Dive Center.

 

[Scuba-Jay]

glad to be of service!! ( =

 

[Doc]

My practice ONLY handles criminal defense....<snip>
After more research, I have investigated (or am investigating) two other dive schools in Thailand and thanks to Scuba-Jay, I am looking into the Utilia Dive Center.

Similar backgrounds. JD with Criminal law dreams but I'm no politician , so Persecuting Attorney was out of the question. Defense? OJ only comes along once in a lifetime (Besides, he had Johnny's business card) and I much rather liked the badge and gun phase. (Cripes... a law degree and an HK!)

After all of that got out of my system, I had also logged enough recreational dives (33 years worth) to be very comfortable and relaxed underwater.

What to do next? :huh:

I did my Rescue and Dive Master in 1.75 very high pressure weeks at Dockside Dive Center at CoCoView. (Having done the first-aid module up North and completing every bit of the pre-study in advance of my trip South)

Two weeks later I was headed for Pro-Dive in Ft Lauderdale. In the two weeks that I spent there, they did not teach me to dive, to be a better diver, or anything of the kind. They give the basics of what it is to be a teacher. Call it "instructor" if you will, but you will be taught to teach.

There is no teaching of diving involved.

Go, do it. I have seen fellow attornies do lots dumber stuff. Besides, the office help might look like they do in Boston Legal... but in paradise they wear way less clothes !

 

[Scuba-Jay]

Im no Attorney but i did work as a JAG investigator for the US Army!!! (=
(thought id mention that so i could be one of the "legal" gang....we should start a forum!!)

 

[Doc]

Im no Attorney but i did work as a JAG investigator for the US Army!!! (=
(thought id mention that so i could be one of the "legal" gang....we should start a forum!!)

Now start the Shark jokes. :shakehead