NASE Nitrox non invader

[Tunaman68]

Hey all,

I tried to find some info, but searching for the word nitrox and narrowing down what I am asking is HELL so.....

We can't go on the invasion (doesn't work with college and work schedules). We want to get Nitrox certified, but are shocked that PADI still wants $210 for online courses!!! I was reading the invasion threads that NetDoc and Co. are offering a free NASE cert arrangement but we obviously can't get in on that.

Here's my questions. I can get the PADI cert at Sports Chalet for $150 including materials, card, and going to class one night. Seems the most straightforward approach.

My local SSI affilate wants $200 + materials and card, might as well do PADI.

I found a website that allows NASE signup for $70

Online nitrox classes, | $69.95 Internet nitrox certification, | PADI eLearning online nitrox course, | PADI nitrox classes

1) is this legit? and 2) if I take this course, can I do my practical on the first day in Bonaire (we are most likely staying at Caribbean Club), or find a local NASE instructor to sign off?

How would you all handle it? My dive buddy daughter will have been deep in the books at UC Davis so I don't know if the first thing she's going to want to do on vacay is math but......

Thanks!!

Tom

 

[Jim Lapenta]

First question is why do you want nitrox? Do you need it for the dives you are doing? Have you tried contacting an independent instructor to see what they would charge? My nitrox class SEI or TDI is 145.00 includes all materials and two dives. Before signing up for that cheaper class you may find out that by the time you get find an instructor who is ok with losing out on an entire class income they may want $100 just to do the practical. I don't like that the site tries to tell you what an instructor might charge for the practical. Very presumptuous and unprofessional. Call em and ask who they would suggest you do it with.

 

[BRT]

We went through NASE and are happy with it.

 

[Tunaman68]

First question is why do you want nitrox? Do you need it for the dives you are doing? Have you tried contacting an independent instructor to see what they would charge? My nitrox class SEI or TDI is 145.00 includes all materials and two dives. Before signing up for that cheaper class you may find out that by the time you get find an instructor who is ok with losing out on an entire class income they may want $100 just to do the practical. I don't like that the site tries to tell you what an instructor might charge for the practical. Very presumptuous and unprofessional. Call em and ask who they would suggest you do it with.

I am planning on doing 5 dives a day and wish to use the nitrox to increase my margin of safety. If I was in PA I would call you and let you do it, but since I'm not.....

I will most likely go to Sports Chalet for $150 and my daughter can share the book. I have also emailed two local NASE instructors to ask about certification so we'll see what they say.

BRT, where did you do the practical?

 

[oly5050user]

the internet site sounds like a scam.. To get a PADI nitrox certification via a internet site NOT ran by PADI will NOT be recognized by any PADI instructor. To get an instructor to do the practical portion of a course is no big deal,BUT getting them to simply sign off for you, thereby accepting the liability on themselves will not happen. I would not do it. If you want PADI nitrox, go to PADI.com sign up for it, align yourself with the LDS you are doing the practical with and do it. Look at it this way,to do it right , no possible scams , cost some money,but it is good for life.So what does it come out to? Maybe if you dive for 30 years thats only $7. a year..
Here, at the LDS I am an instructor at, when a student signs up for nitrox and does the PADI elearning, as long as they listed our LDS as their facility, there is no charge by the LDS for the practical part of course.

 

[Doctorfish]

Good advice. It is your life that is on the line so an extra few dollars to be taught well is in my opinion, a good investment.

 

[chauncy19]

was in similar situation last summer. staying at buddies they said i could do a tuesday class for $100. that is what I did. I am glad I didn't pay more money as it seems a pretty silly class. not very rigorous to me. i did dive this past march with capt don's. was informed by them that the cost was $100 for the class no matter when or what day it was taken. was interested for my wife's sake in the class. anyway just my 2cents.....

 

[Tunaman68]

Here, at the LDS I am an instructor at, when a student signs up for nitrox and does the PADI elearning, as long as they listed our LDS as their facility, there is no charge by the LDS for the practical part of course.

Well if that was the case, then the $210 aint bad!! I hear you everyone - penny wise O2 foolish....

 

[boat sju]

Tunaman,

You may want to try and email CC and try to get a phone number for Pepe. Maybe you can work something out with him regarding the course. I don't get why people ask you why you want the Nitrox cert. It's a good factor of safety for anyone old enough to have a daughter in college. I dive it like it's air except for the maximum depth limit (MOD) - which you'll learn about in the class.

boat

 

[BRT]

I am planning on doing 5 dives a day and wish to use the nitrox to increase my margin of safety. If I was in PA I would call you and let you do it, but since I'm not.....

I will most likely go to Sports Chalet for $150 and my daughter can share the book. I have also emailed two local NASE instructors to ask about certification so we'll see what they say.



BRT, where did you do the practical?

I'm not sure I should say, but we did videos showing us doing the practical. In our case I mix the Nitrox and have the O2 sensors but needed the cards so we could use Nitrox in other places. It kind of hurt me to think of a $205 PADI course plus a trip to someplace to take it