Learning to dive in Thailand and similan liveaboard
- Thread starter georgie14
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Wow thank you for all this advice!! My original thought were that I would definately like to complete up to at least the AOW but depending on how I felt after the OW I would probably book a couple of dives inbetween to become more confident underwater if I felt the need to. Myinitial thoughts were that I wanted to do the whole thing possibly back to back so that I had the support of the instructor to ask any questions to or give me advice right from the onset.
I've done a try dive here at home which I loved but another member of the group fell on the slip and had therefore made himself and his fried rather jittery - I didn't get much chance to speak to the lead diver apart from a quick ok. His assistant was lovely but was under the impression that I wanted him to dive to the sea bed for shells more than I wanted to know if what I was doing was ok. Granted it was a try dive of course but I want to be able to have the support to say yes you've got it or no you need to... When I do whichever course.
My main aim is to feel confident and able enough in the water to enjoy what Thailand has to offer and to also be able to take these skills home and wherever else I might be lucky enough to dive. My current possible plan is to go to kao Tao to learn because it's easier on the budget and then head across to Phuket. This way I would be able to take full advantage of the dive sites of two different locations. A friend from home mentioned Phoenix divers? I have indeed contacted Quero who has kindly offered her assistance... As soon as I have survived boxing day lunch with the in-laws I am going to concentrate on what she has advised! Quick last question as the turkey sandwiches are calling - how do BSAC and PADILLA differ?
I've done a try dive here at home which I loved but another member of the group fell on the slip and had therefore made himself and his fried rather jittery - I didn't get much chance to speak to the lead diver apart from a quick ok. His assistant was lovely but was under the impression that I wanted him to dive to the sea bed for shells more than I wanted to know if what I was doing was ok. Granted it was a try dive of course but I want to be able to have the support to say yes you've got it or no you need to... When I do whichever course.
My main aim is to feel confident and able enough in the water to enjoy what Thailand has to offer and to also be able to take these skills home and wherever else I might be lucky enough to dive. My current possible plan is to go to kao Tao to learn because it's easier on the budget and then head across to Phuket. This way I would be able to take full advantage of the dive sites of two different locations. A friend from home mentioned Phoenix divers? I have indeed contacted Quero who has kindly offered her assistance... As soon as I have survived boxing day lunch with the in-laws I am going to concentrate on what she has advised! Quick last question as the turkey sandwiches are calling - how do BSAC and PADILLA differ?
If you actually meant BSAC and PADI, then if the search any diving forum you will get lots of opinions both ways.
In a nutshell:
BSAC training is based on a club environment where diving is taught on a non-commercial bases.
PADI training is bases on a pure commercial bases.
To blur things BSAC Thailand use the BSAC syllabus, but teach it commercially.
Both are recognised worldwide.
Regards
lord khram
Contributor
Learn through what ever agency, diving skills are basically the same, it is the quality of the teacing / instructor that matters.
As Edward quite rightly states above the main benefit of BSAC is the club environment / network of clubs, and as this predominantly is UK based, unless you want to dive in the UK on a regular basis there is no benefit in my mind to training with BSAC over PADI. Having said that worldwide both are recognised certifications and will allow you to dive equally once qualified, as indeed will other agencies such as CMAS.
In short all you need is a competent experienced instructor that you get on with and who gives you confidence.
As Edward quite rightly states above the main benefit of BSAC is the club environment / network of clubs, and as this predominantly is UK based, unless you want to dive in the UK on a regular basis there is no benefit in my mind to training with BSAC over PADI. Having said that worldwide both are recognised certifications and will allow you to dive equally once qualified, as indeed will other agencies such as CMAS.
In short all you need is a competent experienced instructor that you get on with and who gives you confidence.
Hi there yes I did indeed mean PADI, smart phone gets a bit too big for its boots sometimes with predictive typing! Thank you for clarifying the difference, I am uk based but not exactly sure where I will be this time next year... Yes that is exactly what I am looking for lord khram, just need to get my head round all the options and the different dive schools. A friend suggested just having a look once I got there and seeing who I clicked with - do you think this is a good idea (I did use to work in telesales so am accustomed to recognising the hard sell!)?
You could do it that way, georgie14 (just come and see who you click with), but it's a bit risky since only the un-busy instructors are likely to be free on exactly the day you show up, so you may be assigned a random instructor after you decide you "click" with a shop; the instructor may be brilliant, but maybe not.... As an example, I teach only by prior arrangement, and I'm often booked out, so people who want to learn with me, specifically, have to book ahead to make sure that I'm available for them on the dates they prefer to have their course.
I was in Koh Tao earlier this year.
There is plenty of competition catering for the back-packing community, however, you get what you pay for.
I used Big Blue, but would have been just as happy to go with Davy Jones Locker (DJL) who did great food
Paralandey
New
Georgie 14.
My wife referred her qualifying dives to Thailand where she did them with Phuket scuba club. They were great with her and she was nicely relaxed and reassured throughout her 4 dives. The following day we went to Patong and jumped onboard Pawara for 4 days 5 nights up to the simillian islands. I thoroughly recommend it. Myonlyreservationis that my wifewas diving with Mantas on her second qualified dive, now she would be disappointed diving around the uk or med.
Whatever you decide,good luck and enjoy
My wife referred her qualifying dives to Thailand where she did them with Phuket scuba club. They were great with her and she was nicely relaxed and reassured throughout her 4 dives. The following day we went to Patong and jumped onboard Pawara for 4 days 5 nights up to the simillian islands. I thoroughly recommend it. Myonlyreservationis that my wifewas diving with Mantas on her second qualified dive, now she would be disappointed diving around the uk or med.
Whatever you decide,good luck and enjoy
lord khram
Contributor
If you have some spare time in your schedule to allow yourself to be a little flexible, your friend has in my mind the best idea.
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