Maryland Dive Shop

[O-ring]

Atlantic Edge in Gaithersburg

www.atlanticedge.com

 

[Throwback]

I'm a fan of Columbia SCUBA, its a great shop that values developing a relationship with the local comunity and indivsual customers. Annapolis SCUBA is alright but they are overloaded by SCUBA Pro products IMO. I don't have anything against SCUBA-Pro, but I like to be able to be able to compare brands.

 

[scubatim77]

I have the same question as cornfed, why PADI specifically? Not that PADI is the wrong choice, but the local PADI shop may be. Don't go to PADI soley on the fact that in the dive magazines you have read, or the web sites you have looked at have PADI written all over them, or because they are the only ones you have heard of. There are about two dozen training agencies around the world, PADI just happens to advertise a lot and have a lot of resorts in the Carribean. They in no way are better than anyone else, and no one else is better than them. Shop around town and go to the dive shop you feel most comfortable in, and learn from the instructors you feel most comfortable with. Find out what each dive shops minimum requirements are to pass thier course, how many hours of instruction is offered. Remember, there are a lot of things to learn before you are ready to do your open water training dives (check out dives) so shorter and quicker isn't necessarily better, it may be worse. I suggest finding the shop that has the highest standards and the most number of hours actually in the water training and going with them. It may cost a little more, but better to invest a little more money and be more prepared and have better training than to go to the open water when you really aren't ready. Think safety first!! After you find a dive shop that will train you properly, support them and you will have many years of happy diving. If we don't support our local dive shops, they can't support us as divers!! Good luck, take your time and ask lots of questions!! Most importantly, have fun.