Maui Dreams Dive Co. and my cert

[slydoh]

Hello everyone,

Just got my certification while visiting my brother in Hawaii. He and a number of others had recommended Maui Dreams Dive Co. for my open water cert class. I signed up for a 3 day accelerated course that covered all the classroom material and all confined and open water dives.

Being a long time snokeler I had many of the basic skills/ideas already mastered so I felt that I would be fine with the accelerated course.

I am happy to say that despite having the dives called off a couple of days due to bad conditions I recieved my open water certification and priase from my instructor. Yippee

One of the students had a few problems with the mask clearing drills and equalization but our instructor Racheal was very patient and the student very determined. The student quickly overcame the problems and we moved on.

I must say that the people at Maui Dreams made my experience very pleasureable and truely enjoyed my excitement. I would recommend them to anyone considering open water certification.

I would say that the 3 day course may be too quick for some people. But if you have the basic skills (mask clearing etc.) mastered then you should be fine with the accelerated course.

I have no affiliation with Maui Dreams Dive Co. I just wanted to share my experience and say hello.

Simon

 

[MechDiver]

slydoh once bubbled...
I would say that the 3 day course may be too quick for some people. But if you have the basic skills (mask clearing etc.) mastered then you should be fine with the accelerated course.

Welcome, and congradulations on your certification. I totally disagree that a 3 day course is sufficient to make someone a responsible diver, but I'm glad you had fun.

Phil

 

[slydoh]

Hey Phil,

Thanks for the welcome.

To be fair I don't think any amount of training makes a person a responsible diver. That's up to the individual.

After reading many of the posts on this board it would seem that even instructors (the most advanced level of training I think) can be and are irresponsible.

So.... I passed the same test that someone who spent weeks in a pool has to pass. I'm checking out this board and every other source of information I can find in hope of becoming a better diver.

I guess more to the point a newbie is a newbie and has plenty to learn beyond an open water cert. I’m not foolish enough to think that I am now prepared for everything and anything. I know allot of people are very nervous when they start and for them the 3 day course just wouldn't work. For me it did. I even busted on my brother, a long time diver, for not following the "rules" I learned in my class.

I also felt my instructor was very patient but not irresponsible and would not have passed someone who did not demonstrate an adequate level of proficiency. Also after describing my classes I've been told that we did allot of exercises that were not required or even part of the training.

So I hope given the chance you would take a chance and dive with me. How else will I learn...

Simon

 

[slydoh]

If anyone can recommend good sites on the web or good books on diving I would appreciate it.

Thanks,

Simon

 

[Tim Ingersoll]

Welcome to the boards! As for books go to Amazon.com and plug in a search for scuba diving. You will find some real good reads.

 

[MechDiver]

slydoh once bubbled...
Hey Phil,

Thanks for the welcome.

To be fair I don't think any amount of training makes a person a responsible diver. That's up to the individual.
Simon

Good attitude. You'll do okay. I would be more than happy to dive with you except you live on the wrong side of the world

I can't really come up with any good basic websites at the moment, but do a search on the board for "books" and you should get quite a few hits.

If you haven't done any cold water dives yet, it will be a shock after Hawaii, but, done correctly, just as rewarding. In some places, more so.

Phil

 

[slydoh]

My life is a bit crazy. I'm actually just south of San Francisco working. I live in Philly but work in San Fran. I've been doing this for a year so I have some frequent flyer miles built up for dive trips. I know the water on this side of the world is much colder than the Atlantic Ocean. I'll be here through Feb. so if you plan any trips down this way please let me know.

I am hoping to plan a trip to San Diego some time this winter and dive there. I’ve heard it’s an incredible experience. I'd definitely want to go with an experienced guide.

Thanks for the vote of confidence.

Simon

 

[slydoh]

Thanks for the advice Tim.

 

[holdingmybreath]

http://www.deeperblue.net

 

[MechDiver]

slydoh once bubbled...
I know the water on this side of the world is much colder than the Atlantic Ocean Simon

That Califormia water is wimp stuff. The real cold water is up here I would like to dive the kelp sometime, but I actually prefer heading north (BC) rather than south.
Good luck on the San Diego diving

Phil