NASE Nitrox non invader

[diversteve]

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?

I may be wrong about this but when Al, Elena and Pete are on Bonaire - there may be 3 there. For that week...

Everything there seemed to be PADI. My buddy did his ANDI Nitrox course thru an SSI shop here and we had a PADI instructor at Toucan sign off on his referral dives. Somehow it all worked.

 

[mselenaous]

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

Hi Tom,
Sorry for the late reply on this. The free NASE Nitrox course is a benefit for Invaders only. While there will be 3 NASE Instructors attending, we've each expressed that this is our vacation as well and prefer not to "work" beyond what we have committed to the Invaders.

Most agencies now have e-learning Nitrox courses and they are all similar in content. Pricing ranges widely with & without dives. Please note that most agencies do kickback a commission to the dive shop. With this in mind, many shops charge very little to finish up the practical portions and issue your certification cards.

My recommendation to you is to check with dive shops on Bonaire and sign up through one of them. Select the option that is most convenient where you can do the academics online and finish up the practical applications on your first day of diving so you can dive nitrox the remainder of your trip. The dive shop at the Plaza Resort where we are staying charges $129 for a Nitrox course. Caribbean Club has the nitrox class listed at $175 includes 2 dives. I am sure there are plenty more options on Bonaire.

We hope you join one of our future invasion. They are a blast. Please do let us know what you decide to do to complete your Nitrox as well as how your training went with your chosen instructor.
.

Oh, and if you are bound for the Keys, send me a PM. I will be a Scuba Show in Long Beach in June, hope to meet you there.

 

[Tunaman68]

I wish I could have swung the invasion! They sound like a blast for sure!

I ended up doing an all online SDI basic nitrox course with a no cost (for the price of the package) shop session for $145.

What booth will you be at during the scuba show, or are you just going as an observer?!?! I'd love to say hello. The keys are calling us!