New to Diving

[shellim123]

I went on a cruise and went diving in Barbados and Aruba and loved it! I want to get certified now. I read someones post about the classes not being long enough and not enough training. Is 6 classroom/pool and 6 ow sessions enough?

 

[wallacm]

The usual classes are 2 days of classroom and pool, and 2 days of ow 4 dives total. It is long enough to learn the basics, but you need to keep on practicing so you can perfect them. I think that is one of the largest problems, people get certified and then only dive once a year.

Good luck to you on your class, remember once certified just keep diving.

 

[jpcpat]

Welcome to diving and welcome to Scubaboard! Most of the students that I have seen after their checkout dives are qualified but inexperienced. As long as you stay within your limits, you should be OK. What the heck does that mean, though?

After certification you should certainly be ready for shallow Carribean reef dives with a divemaster. Deep, cold, low viz dives off the NY coast require quite a bit more training and experience

 

[altitudemike]

Finding a good instructor is the key to proper training. Look for someone who still has the passion for it rather than someone who just sees you as a paycheck.

 

[shellim123]

Thank you for the information. I live in Utah and there are very few dive schools. We do have some natural salt pools that have been turned into dive spots, the closest thing we have to the ocean

 

[all4scuba05]

Usually a couple days or nights in classroom. Followed by a couple days in pool. Followed by some dives in open water. It will be tricky to find a great instructor. Visit the section of Scubaboard for the folks in your area. Ask them for recommendations dive shops/ instructors. Maybe some will know who to stay away from.

 

[shellim123]

Thank you. I looked and I can not find that. Can you help me? Thanks

 

[EvaL]

Hi,
I agree with AttitudeMike. Picking the instructor is the most important factor. More pool sessions do not necessarily mean you learn more (they may just spread the material out and make the pool sessions shorter). I'd ask several divers in your area who they think is a good instructor who values what you learn more than what you buy from him/her. And yes, continue diving after you get certified.

 

[Steve_Dives]

I honestly expected to see about 5 pages of replies to your question. Hot subject.

See if you can have a "discover scuba" experience with a couple of the dive shops. That might give you an idea what training with them will be like.

Sooner or later someone will say you should continue until you are a Master. The other school of thought is to learn by diving. Regardless, both schools will tell you to dive within your training and experience.

Is the OW enough? Depends on what you will be doing. That quarry probably won't be too great test (I've never been there). So you are probably safe with the OW. (You did notice I said probably???) More training will make you safer. More dives will make you safer. Which path is the way you want to learn?

I'm a newbie and decided to continue courses until I reach Master. (Beyond that, undecided.) I feel the classroom work better prepares me for any dive, making my next one a little safer. Maybe I should spend the money and time diving. Diving is an activity, after all, and requires skills (book smarts doesn't translate to skills without experience).

That's my take.

 

[shellim123]

That is a great idea! Thanks. Congratulations to you!