Never Been Diving...How Do I Start?

[KathleenR]

I've never been diving before and know absolutely nothing about it. My husband and I will be going to Costa Rica and Nicaragua in December/January and we'd like to dive in both places. Is it necessary to get certified before doing any diving at all? If so, what kind of certification should we get? Is a "resort course" enough? We'd like to keep costs as low as possible, but we also want to be safe. I've poked around the internet a little, but haven't found much info for the absolute beginner. Any advice about starting out or about where to dive in Costa Rica and Nicaragua would be appreciated.

 

[OE2X]

I've never been diving before and know absolutely nothing about it. My husband and I will be going to Costa Rica and Nicaragua in December/January and we'd like to dive in both places. Is it necessary to get certified before doing any diving at all? If so, what kind of certification should we get? Is a "resort course" enough? We'd like to keep costs as low as possible, but we also want to be safe. I've poked around the internet a little, but haven't found much info for the absolute beginner. Any advice about starting out or about where to dive in Costa Rica and Nicaragua would be appreciated.

First thing to check is if your resort has a course to offer. Another question will be how the certifing agency rates that resort.
If it doesn't offer a class then you might want to get your full open water certification before you leave.
If all you want to do is to dive this one time then a resort course is a good way to start. My understanding is that you will spend much of your vacation doing the class though.

 

[Seabear70]

I would recommend talking to the local divers, if you know any, and finding a local person to run you through a full corse, including the open water cert. See who people in your area are recommending. I see you are from Berkley? There should be pleanty of good instructors in your area.

I would avoid the resort course for several reasons, 1. They tend not to be as thorough. 2. I don't think they are accepted elsewhere, so likely you would have to repeat the course in each place. 3. If you take the course at home, you'll have time to get familliar with diving, and the skills and mindset needed.

 

[murphdivers286]

Get with your Local Dive Shop. (Look in the Yellow Pages under Diving) I think the prices are all about the same. I also recommend going through the full open water certification class. It is better to be safe than sorry.

Once you start diving though, you won't be able to stop.!!! Good Luck!!!

 

[KathleenR]

First thing to check is if your resort has a course to offer. Another question will be how the certifing agency rates that resort.
If it doesn't offer a class then you might want to get your full open water certification before you leave.
If all you want to do is to dive this one time then a resort course is a good way to start. My understanding is that you will spend much of your vacation doing the class though.

Oops, sorry, I wasn't being clear. We're not going to a resort -- we'll be traveling independently through both countries, mostly by bus, and staying in small places. We're budget travelers. A number of the dive shops/instructors have a "resort course" listed on their pricelists, and it's much cheaper than certification. At one place, for example, Open Water certification is $300 while the resort course is $50. The OW cert takes a few days, while the resort course is a one-day thing. I'm wondering about whether the resort course is enough, and what I'll get from certification that I can't get from the resort course.

 

[Seabear70]

Okay................

Let me restate, Go to your Local Dive Shop and Make Certain to take at a minimum the Advanced Open Water Course. Be prepared to do a lot of local diving, figure a minimum of one a week, you are going to need the skills and practice. You may want to consider buying your own gear, all of it.

What will you get from certification that you won't get from the resort course? A fighting chance to survive what you are considering. The ability to get tanks filled and equipment repaired at reputable dive shops.

 

[Wendy]

You would get about $250 ore information taking the open water cert class than just taking the resort course. Your trip isn't for several months so I think you should just get open water certifeid at home and then you would have more freedom to dive where ever you want to on your trip. Also this will allow you more time to dive locally at home to become proficient at the skills you will learn.

Your next question might be what gear you will need to buy and what you can rent. For class and ease of travel you will need mask, fins, snorkel, booties, and some sort of exposure suit. Your BC and regs you should be able to rent on your trip and I'm sure you don't want to lug that around. Also with your BC and regs I think its a good idea to rent until you decide what it is you will be happy with.

 

[baitedstorm]

Heya, and welcome to the ScubaBoard! I would start with checking out a few of your Local Dive Shops (LDS) talk to some of the instructors, get a feel for each of them, when you find the right one, you'll know it.. I had no experience with diving either before a got certified, I found just talking to each instructor or member of the LDS staff helped me decide whose hands I'd place my life in. I think taking a resort class would be an ENTIRE waste of money. Once you blow bubbles for the first time, you'll be hooked. There will be some upfront $$ you'll have to spend like the cost of the class and basic gear; mask, snorkel, fins. I certainly wouldn't try to get certified on your holiday. If you go with PADI (my first choice) you'll get your book and do your reviews on a "self-study" basis. Watch a video, go through what you've read, learn in the pool first than have an open water check..

I really hope you'll have a great time on your trip, hopefully all the info that will start pouring into your thread will help you make the decision that's right for the two of you. Keep us updated on your progress.

Best of wishes and safe diving
Vickie

 

[KathleenR]

Thanks so much for all of the quick replies.

Okay................

Let me restate, Go to your Local Dive Shop and Make Certain to take at a minimum the Advanced Open Water Course. Be prepared to do a lot of local diving, figure a minimum of one a week, you are going to need the skills and practice. You may want to consider buying your own gear, all of it.

I couldn't possibly afford that. From what I can tell, getting the Advanced Certification for both of us would run about $1,000, and I'm sure that gear isn't cheap. So I shouldn't bother if I don't have this kind of money? I don't want to do anything unsafe, but I can't spend that much.

 

[GrierHPharmD]

I agree. The full course isn't that much more expense or time-consuming and teaches you much more about safety. It also doesn't have an expiration date (6 months) like the resort courses.

The point is to have fun but be safe.

Best wishes,
Grier