packaroo92
New
hello. i have never dived before and im curious wich agencie is better for me to learn. should i go with naui or padi for my first open water course?
looking to get certfied
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It's not the agency it's the instructor. Interview a few to see who you like. Personally I liked the instructor at the closest shop to me so didn't look much further.
There are more PADI locations worldwide than NAUI if you plan to travel. If you plan to take more advanced classes in the future it will be easier to stay with the same agency - especially if you want to do referral dives at a different location. Being in FL that may not be such an issue for you.
Certification cards from any accredited agency are universally accepted.
There are more PADI locations worldwide than NAUI if you plan to travel. If you plan to take more advanced classes in the future it will be easier to stay with the same agency - especially if you want to do referral dives at a different location. Being in FL that may not be such an issue for you.
Certification cards from any accredited agency are universally accepted.
grantwiscour
Contributor
Find an instructor that you like and that has a teaching style that you find comfortable. The agency will be less important than the instructor. All major agencies are accepted worldwide.
Another vote for ignore the agency and look for the instructor. Most instructors offer certs through multiple agencies anyways.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ne...ng/287780-how-find-excellent-scuba-class.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ne...ering-diving/283566-who-responsible-what.html
Read these two threads. Then start thinking of your own questions. Never just sign up for a class. Interview the instructor as if you were interviewing an employee. One you were going to trust with your life. Never allow a shop to assign an instructor to you without allowing you to meet with them and see if they are the right instructor for you. Also before you sign or fork over any cash ask to see the standards you are requried to be trained to and that are supposed to be followed. If they say they can't show you, won't show you, or don't have them handy run away. If they do, ask them how they compare to the standards of other agencies. All basic OW classes are not the same and are not taught to the same standards. Not even close with some agencies as far as content, skills, and knowledge. Never let anyone tell you different.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ne...ering-diving/283566-who-responsible-what.html
Read these two threads. Then start thinking of your own questions. Never just sign up for a class. Interview the instructor as if you were interviewing an employee. One you were going to trust with your life. Never allow a shop to assign an instructor to you without allowing you to meet with them and see if they are the right instructor for you. Also before you sign or fork over any cash ask to see the standards you are requried to be trained to and that are supposed to be followed. If they say they can't show you, won't show you, or don't have them handy run away. If they do, ask them how they compare to the standards of other agencies. All basic OW classes are not the same and are not taught to the same standards. Not even close with some agencies as far as content, skills, and knowledge. Never let anyone tell you different.
I assume by your location you mean the Ocala in Florida. I suggest you scroll down through this site until you find the regional travel and clubs section. Find the one for Florida Conch Divers. Ask there for recommendations for instruction in your area. then check out each of those leads, ask a lot of questions, and find the one you think will work best for you.
I just became certified the 18th of this month. I totally enjoyed my lessons which were fun and informative. Thanks to my instructor for making it that way........not the certifying agency. Find an instructor you like that is knowledgeable and go with that person.
Im going through a Rescue Course, Nitrox, and EFR in a few days (March 1-4) with Snorkel Manatee Tours here in crystal river in Crystal river... just 30 miniutes east of ocala ( take 44 east from i75 to US 19 ) - PM me and I will let you know a solid review of the Instructors there and of the local dives sites there on the West Coast.... I'm assuming everything is going to go very smoothly, my initial impressions are good - and their prices are very very fair. They offer course materials at a very good price ( because of the volume they sell ) I plan on signing up for the DM program immediately upon finishing Rescue/EFR/Nitrox...... Keep in touch!
So far I thoroughly enjoyed my interactions at American Pro Diving. Quinn and Chris ( Chris was just sitting in ) were awesome with my Nitrox course - he was very patient and answered all of my questions. I got a 100 on the test. Then I went on a dive with Nitrox to manatee springs with Patrick and he was a very comfortable guide to dive with. he is a MSDT, and was very calm and patient. he also, while maintaining complete control over the dive still found a way to not treat me like I was a complete noob - it is a fine line and he rode it very very well... All in all I am impressed with this dive shop at this point.
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