I've been wanting to get scuba certified for a while but haven't been able to because I cant afford it (I'm a high school senior) . However, I recently got a job and have been able to save up about $500 to put towards getting certified. I live in just outside of Jacksonville, FL, so there are plenty of springs within a few hours , and lots of places that offer a weekend of learning to dive in the springs to get certified. However , there are also places closer that can also help me get certified, and they teach you in a pool and then you pay extra to go on the other four dives. I was just wondering if anybody has some suggestions as to what might be more beneficial.
Learning to dive in a Spring vs a pool
- Thread starter AnnaRose
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I'd check the courses a little more closely - it's customary to spend a few sessions in a "confined" water environment (ie a pool) before doing the open water dives. The idea behind this is that get to practice skills in a safer environment before getting into deeper water.
I know some places in the Caribbean advertise getting certified in as little as 3 days (1 day class & pool and 2 days doing open water dives) which IMHO is way too compressed.
Focus on finding a good instructor who will take the time to teach you the skills properly rather than rushing through.
If you haven't already read it check out Walter's excellent item on finding an instructor....
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ne...ng/287780-how-find-excellent-scuba-class.html
I know some places in the Caribbean advertise getting certified in as little as 3 days (1 day class & pool and 2 days doing open water dives) which IMHO is way too compressed.
Focus on finding a good instructor who will take the time to teach you the skills properly rather than rushing through.
If you haven't already read it check out Walter's excellent item on finding an instructor....
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ne...ng/287780-how-find-excellent-scuba-class.html
OldNSalty
Contributor
where do you see yourself diving? Freshwater springs or the ocean? I would look for a place where the checkout dives were in the envirnment where I was going to go diving. My course was all pool for training followed by 2 checkout dives in a spring on one day and then 2 ocean dives the next day. I am sure you can find somehting like that where you are.
A lot of the springs are very like pools, and in fact, the water may be clearer in the springs . . . "Confined water" is supposed to be clear, limited in depth, and not subject to waves, chop or currents. The springs meet those criteria.
I think there are some where doing your "open water" dives in them is ludicrous and inadequate training. Ginnie is one of those sites. To get deeper than ten feet, you have to swim down into the shafts that lead to the cave. They're narrow and have significant flow, and you can't really SWIM around in them. Jackson Blue has a large pond, but it's EXTREMELY shallow. I really think you ought to be able to get below 15 feet to consider that you have really done an open water dive.
I think there are some where doing your "open water" dives in them is ludicrous and inadequate training. Ginnie is one of those sites. To get deeper than ten feet, you have to swim down into the shafts that lead to the cave. They're narrow and have significant flow, and you can't really SWIM around in them. Jackson Blue has a large pond, but it's EXTREMELY shallow. I really think you ought to be able to get below 15 feet to consider that you have really done an open water dive.
My "confined water dives" consisted of one day in the pool to learn all the skills and practice doing them a bunch of times in about 4 feet of water, followed by jumping into a sectioned off corner, if you will, in the ocean in about 10-12 feet of water doing the skills. Finally, after all that, there were 4 open water dives in 20-40 ft of water.
I think that the springs would be fine to train in. I just got back from crystal river and it was 6 one way half a dozen the other versus a pool. I was doing my open water certification dives. We did hunter spring and 3 sisters. Save yourself some money and do the executive style weekend certification.
If you get certified in a spring or any other small body of fresh water be sure to get some sort of orientation dive when you reach the ocean. The diving itself is not that different but there a lot of things you will not have been exposed to.
Pete
Pete
Crush
Contributor
Welcome to scuba!
If you want to get the best value for your diving dollar, getting the cheapest course might prove to be expensive if the course materials, checkout dives, etc., are all expensive extras. Also consider how much you will learn per dollar spent. Sometimes paying 20% more can allow you to learn 40% more, making the more expensive course a better value for the dollar.
If you want to read some senior instructors battling out the pros and cons of different diving agencies (PADI vs. NAUI vs. SEI...) please read http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/basic-scuba-discussions/323717-philosophy-diver-training.html - it has been a lively debate.
Have fun!
If you want to get the best value for your diving dollar, getting the cheapest course might prove to be expensive if the course materials, checkout dives, etc., are all expensive extras. Also consider how much you will learn per dollar spent. Sometimes paying 20% more can allow you to learn 40% more, making the more expensive course a better value for the dollar.
If you want to read some senior instructors battling out the pros and cons of different diving agencies (PADI vs. NAUI vs. SEI...) please read http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/basic-scuba-discussions/323717-philosophy-diver-training.html - it has been a lively debate.
Have fun!
texas-buzzard
Contributor
I would send the money and get certified in the pool and then open water. many crash courses are hard on new divers with little time to practice skills. equalizing is some times difficult for new divers and will do damage to your ears if not done properly.
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