New to diving

[ctmpwrdcamry]

Hello,

First of all i would like to say you guys enjoy an amazing hobby/way of life! I was recently on a cruise and was able to do a non-certified drive in St. Thomas. I had so much fun!

The shop that we dove with was a Padi certification place, so when I asked them about certification, they were telling me Padi was the way to go. However, when i called around to the local shops, just to get an idea on cost, few actually used there courses. Does it matter who i am certified with? What should i look for in the coarse?


Thanks

Sean

 

[divetahoe]

Hello,
The shop that we dove with was a Padi certification place, so when I asked them about certification, they were telling me Padi was the way to go. However, when i called around to the local shops, just to get an idea on cost, few actually used there courses. Does it matter who i am certified with? What should i look for in the coarse?

YIKES! :11:

Methinks you are opening a BIG can o' worms on this here board... but, of course, one that has been opened many times before...

I'm PADI because that's what was available where I was at the time. All certification agencies have their pros and cons, proponents and detractors. What is (IMHO) more important than the certifying agency is the PEOPLE who will be teaching you. Are they honest, forthright, and above all good divers? You are essentially trusting the instructor with your life (at first); they had better be good.

FWIW.

 

[dlndavid]

Hello,

First of all i would like to say you guys enjoy an amazing hobby/way of life! I was recently on a cruise and was able to do a non-certified drive in St. Thomas. I had so much fun!

The shop that we dove with was a Padi certification place, so when I asked them about certification, they were telling me Padi was the way to go. However, when i called around to the local shops, just to get an idea on cost, few actually used there courses. Does it matter who i am certified with? What should i look for in the coarse?


Thanks

Sean

Hey Sean welcome to SB, a friendly bunch of drivers, into driving.
And I have to agee with Drivetahoe, the instuctor is at the heat of you taining moe than what agency. So look for a good instuctor, someone you feel comfotable with and can tust.
David

 

[Land Locked]

Ditto,
agency is not the primary factor. The instructor is the KEY. I was
fortunate to have a private instructor that took the time to teach,
not work a cattle operation.

 

[DORSETBOY]

Ditto,
agency is not the primary factor. The instructor is the KEY. I was
fortunate to have a private instructor that took the time to teach,
not work a cattle operation.

Yep deff be inclined to agree, you get the odd bit of agency bashing but all agencies teach you to dive in a very similar way. If I were a new diver, the ratio of students to instructors would be more important for me than which agency

 

[MissyP]

Hey Sean welcome to SB, a friendly bunch of drivers, into driving.

Ok, I guess I'll be the 2nd one to say something here... but when did PADI start a driving course?

 

[Snowbear]

Ok, I guess I'll be the 2nd one to say something here... but when did PADI start a driving course?

OK... As one who is sympathetic with mistypers everywhere, I fixed it

Welcome to ScubaBoard and to diving, ctmpwrdcamry

 

[MissyP]

OK... As one who is sympathetic with mistypers everywhere, I fixed it

Oh Snowbear, don't be so grumpy It was a cute typo from the new person, I'm sure they knew we were just teasing :grin

 

[RICHinNC]

Welcome from NC ctm......

Agree with others mostly....do pick a MAJOR affiliation for your training. There are still a couple of "little" ones out there just starting off and you could have problems with them....so stay with an org that has been around awhile and you will be ok.
rich

 

[kabluton]

Hello,

First of all i would like to say you guys enjoy an amazing hobby/way of life! I was recently on a cruise and was able to do a non-certified drive in St. Thomas. I had so much fun!

The shop that we dove with was a Padi certification place, so when I asked them about certification, they were telling me Padi was the way to go. However, when i called around to the local shops, just to get an idea on cost, few actually used there courses. Does it matter who i am certified with? What should i look for in the coarse?


Thanks

Sean

Certifying agency doesn't really matter as much as just getting certified. I started out SSI but crossed over to PADI so I actually have both. Most agencies make that pretty easy to do later on if you decide you would rather be certified by another agency. They all basically teach the same thing. Find out which shop has the best reputation in your town and just do it. You will be glad you did.