Live in central Georgia, want to learn in FL

[Lightningfast67]

Relocated from the Florida forum:



I'm going on a military deployment in April which will put me in an area with some pretty good diving (tough life.. I know). I would really like to complete my open water cert in either High Springs or Destin since I have friends in both places where I could crash. The problem is, I don't want to spend an entire week down there and would prefer to get it knocked out over a three day weekend (Sat-Mon) if possible. Any recommendations? I'm assuming the PADI E-learning would be the best bet, but my LDS wants $500 for the whole shebang, which seems a bit high and their schedule is not very accommodating.

 

[T.C.]

I see that Bonaire is near Macon. You have two options. First, find a shop, and before you agree to train with them, ask where they do their OW dives. Many places around here go to the Gulf to do the actual OW training. Second option; Without looking, because it's late and I'm lazy, I'm sure there's a shop that will do referrals in Macon. Find a shop, ask if they'll do referrals, and take the classroom and pool training with them. Ask them, and look yourself, for shops in the Gulf area that'll take the referral letter from the shop you're doing the classroom work with, and you'll be good to go.

Either way, you can easily do the OW part on a regular 2 day weekend.

If the shop offers OW training in Panama City, you can find cheap lodging on the Navy Base. It's as good as a hotel, right on the main strip, and is $48 a night. Navy Hotels for TDY and Leisure Lodging -- Navy Gateway Inns & Suites

Likewise, there's an Army MWR facility in Destin. I don't have their web info though.

$500 for just the classroom and pool? Yes, that is a little steep. But, if it's $500 for classroom, pool and OW; that'd be a good deal. Talk to the area shops; most agencies offer E-learning. There's a lot of agencies out there too; PADI just is the loudest.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Stay safe in April.

 

[Alvida]

Hi;
I don't think you indicated where you are being deployed, but it is possible you can take your OW course once you arrive? If I recall correctly, my son was able to complete his entire OW course (classroom, pool, check out dives) in just a few days down in Key Largo. If you can find a friend who will let you crash there, it's heaven on earth, well under the surface anyway, a great place for your first dives. $500 is steep if it doesn't include check out dives.

 

[Lightningfast67]

Thanks for th replies. Ill have to look to see if that price includes OW training. There is a "Divers Supply" in Macon that I could knock out the classroom and pool work. I'll see if they can do a referral to save time. I can do the course in country; however, it will be difficult to find transportation to and from the dive shop. Thanks again!

---------- Post added February 6th, 2014 at 07:55 PM ----------

Also, a friend of mine used to work with Dan Patterson around High Springs but I can't seem to get a hold of him. Does anyone know if he lurks the boards?

 

[mk706]

You sound more interested in getting certified than leaning to dive. Three days is not long enough to become minimally proficient. There are plenty of opportunities to dive in GA/FL. Why not space certification out over a few weeks to actually develop capabilities through practice and critical thinking under the supervision of an instructor? Once you complete the book and confined water work you can easily take a weekend trip to the Gulf Coast or SoFL to finish the referral dives. That's two days well spent in the water.

Over the past five years I have witnessed PADI shops in SoGA/FL Panhandle lessen the time and quality of instruction to the point that divers certified are unsafe to themselves and others. Don't believe me? Go on a boat dive in Destin or Panama City and watch these folks struggle with basics like assembling their gear, buoyancy, or managing gas.

My $.02. Consider how many of these 'certified' divers never get back in the water after their three day weekend course.


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[T.C.]

You sound more interested in getting certified than leaning to dive. Three days is not long enough to become minimally proficient.

Wow...generalize much? No one; not even you were that great coming out of your OW course. It took time and practice. You don't know where he'll be after three days of diving. Get gets the basics, the knowledge, and can practice with his buddies if/when he has time on his deployment.

Why not space certification out over a few weeks

He said he was deploying soon. Deployments are not something the military just up and does; it takes a great deal of training, preparation, time and hard work. A weekend may be all that he receives.


To the OP: just a guess- you going to Qatar? Big AF base there; and being in Bonaire, GA, that's pretty close to Warner-Robbins.

 

[mk706]

TC, I won't make this personal, rather keep my comments in line with the original post.

If you only have three days to dedicate to OW, wait. You said you're looking at learning in High Springs. Call up Extreme Exposure, 800-574-6341, to see if they offer a three day course. I don't know if they do, but imagine they do not.

You made my point exactly. After a three day course a diver will have nascent skills, and a c-card.

I have personally dove with folks with this level of training. Not good, would say unsafe at best. Witnessed one of these guys run out of gas while on his ~10 dive after certification, down in PCB last summer. This was after had needed help from the crew to assemble his kit. Red star cluster indeed.

I know exactly what my limits are. I have had enough training to reflect on what I do not know. That's one reason why I am investing considerable time and money this spring and summer to continue advancing my diving education. Time for courses, and more time to conduct dives under supervision of folks with much greater skill.

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[T.C.]

Why would you be worried about making it personal? I have no grudge against you; and take no offense. If I'm offended by what an anonymous person who probably will never meet me writes online, I need to talk to someone about that...

After a three day course a diver will have nascent skills, and a c-card.

So??? Divers are not required to stay under the wing of a mother hen instructor. Your OW card means you have the skills to dive. Now, go forth and gain experience.

Three days of OW diving should be sufficient to demonstrate the skills he has learned. If, after three days in the ocean, he can’t perform the repertoire of OW skills, there is another issue at hand; one that the instructor would have to diagnose and correct (if possible).

I have had enough training to reflect on what I do not know

I disagree. You know your limits because of who you are. You have the good judgment and common sense to know what you don’t know. That comes from who you are, not your training. Another person could go through the exact same training, display the same level of skill, and believe themselves ready for something they are not.

Diving is mostly about judgment and common sense. After nearly 14 years in the military, I can tell you for a FACT that there is no school, course, program, or agency that can teach good judgment. That comes with experience only. Likewise; there is no school, course, program, or agency that can teach common sense. He either has it...or does not. If he doesn't; it doesn't matter how good the instruction is; he will take risks. If he does have it, and I believe he does; he will avoid these risks.

The guy in your example is NOT a result of poor training. It is a result of a combination of bad judgment (not coming up when he knew he should, and breaking other rules), zero common sense (not watching his air), pride ("I know what I'm doing...and I don't need a refresher), and poor memory (forgetting skills like gear set up). Do you really think there's an instructor that NEVER taught him to set up a unit? Or didn't teach him to check his air?

Or was it the fault of this diver? At some point the individual has to take responsibility for their action. That point is when you accept that c-card. You become responsible for your diving; not your instructor, not your buddy, not the agency...YOU.

So no, he won't come out of the course proficient at the skills, ready to learn deep technical cave diving. You weren't that good when you took your c-card; neither was I. But we learned through experience. I believe that he will too, and develop that proficiency, as he gains experience.

Let the instructor judge when his skills meet the standard (which will be adequate, but in need of refining to reach proficiency- same as we were when we got our OW cards). Then, like every other diver, he is on his own to stay within the limits of his training, and dive responsibly.