abz_27
New
Hi,
I'm an experienced DM. I'm looking for a respectable PADI IDC at a shop that:
-is rigorous
-has tech diving (at least in the area, if not at the shop)
-is reasonably priced (I will be factoring in airfare/travel from the east coast of the US.)
- and is of course fun
I don't want to be sold by anyone but I would love any first-hand advice.
thanks in advance!
You could check out Caribbean Dive College on Sint Maarten - easy flying from the east coast, think direct flights go from Miami or NY as well as others.
I interned there, I did both my Divemaster and IDC with Michel and Kelly at CDC and would highly recommend them. I've seen a couple of IDC centres and the environment at this one was fantastic, the classroom was packed with resources (and was air conned - trust me you want it!) they even kindly let me take home and use the laptop since mine had just broke (talk about timing!). Michel does most of the teaching and he is very thorough and patient, as well as enthusiastic about what he teaches. He mentors you through the whole process so that by the time of going to my exam I felt totally prepared for it. The IE was easier than the course to be honest.
If your into your Tech diving, there are a couple of deeper dives on SXM, and Michel is into that too, he also teaches Tech instructor and does specialty instructor course, Sidemount, Nitrox, Deep and Night etc. to broaden your teaching potential and makes you more employable after the IE. Good thing is that the course is not just all about sitting in a classroom for 10 days. As part of the course, every morning there was a practical, where we went to the bay and did skills, workshops, or gave our own Open Water and Confined Water lessons. Not only part of the course requirements, but kept us students focused and allowed some fun in the water! Not only that but the diving on SXM is pretty cool too
