New to the discipline

[AlexFrost]

Hello everyone,

My name is Alex and I just joined this board today. First a little bit about me, I am 26 years old living in Naples Florida. I moved from France when I was 13 and have been living in Naples Fl ever since, I work as a beach attendant in a beach club and am currently pursuing my bachelors in legal studies, I then hope to attend law school and perhaps pursue a career in family law. Anyway on to the meat of the subject

I have been looking at getting certified for Open Water with a lot of interest lately. I called a local dive shop today to find out the basics of the certification. The course will be $450, does not include transportation and one night of lodging in Key Largo for the Open dives ( which is perfectly understandable). I also have to provide my own snorkel, mask, wet suit, fins and boots( none of which I currently own).The course will also be stretched out over 3 weeks and will be meeting twice a week with 2 classroom sessions lasting 3 hours each and 3 pool sessions also lasting 3 hours each.The gentleman on the phone also informed me that I get a 10 percent discount on everything in the store if I am a student.I would like to show up at that shop with pen and paper and a list of questions to ask in order to make sure that this dive shop is serious about giving me the best training possible. ( I am aware that I will be responsible for my own safety ) but I still would like to know that the people training me are actually getting me ready for what is out there.

Would it be possible for me to get a few tips on what to ask when I go in? Also ballpark, what am i looking to spend on the gear I need to buy ( wetsuit , snorkel fins and such). I'd like to avoid being led into buying things I don't need.

Thank you

Alex Frost

 

[cocoajoe]

For $450 they should be supplying everything. 10% ? That will cover tax...shop around. Talk to divers in your area about training and equipment but you should know diving can be expensive.

 

[iluvtheocean]

also check out the sticky in the this section on finding a good class including some questions to ask..
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ne...ng/287780-how-find-excellent-scuba-class.html

 

[Jim Lapenta]

There is a thread right at the top of the new divers forum on how to find a good open water class. I also have two chapters in my book that is noted in my signature line and available from amazon that deal with this. One on how to choose an instructor and one on how to choose a shop. Each has a set of roughly twenty interview questions that can serve as a guideline. There is also a kindle version.
Not all open water courses are the same. Requiring mask, snorkel, fins, and boots is pretty much standard. Wetsuits are usually rented since Requiring you to buy one before you are even certified without knowing what you will need for the majority of your diving is pretty dumb in my book. But it does provide a nice extra bonus in the shop's cash register.
Before signing anything or paying any money thoroughly investigate the shop. Ask to meet the instructor. Ask about class sizes. Do they teach buoyancy and trim? Do they overweight students to make things easy? This is a dangerous practice if they do. How much is rental of the scuba gear? Can you rent a suit? What are the prices on their gear? That 10% discount could be meaningless if they try to push "packages" that are marked up twenty or thirty %. Find out the brands and compare prices. Masks have to fit. Fins, boots, snorkels, not so critical. Get the cheapest snorkel.you can. Don't fall.for gimmicks like dry and semi dry. The one I recommend to all my students first costs 12.00. It's the one I use and sell the most of. Don't jump before looking and studying all the aspects of this.

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[AlexFrost]

Thank you I found another place that does it for 100 bucks more but this one includes everything including snorkel and all that stuff. http://www.cruisefishdive.com/diving-rates.php

I am still going to shop around, looks like I got a little bit of leg work ahead of me.

 

[iluvtheocean]

just looked at that link --- their OW rates are $550 or $369+ $35 for C-Card + $25/45 for the dvd
only thing that's $100 is a 2 tank dive ...
550says all included , the other Student must provide their own mask, fin, snorkel, & wetsuit.
only 1 pool session??????

and $100 for a 2 tank trip is expensive

 

[Timmyjoe]

If you're brand new to this, I would go for a course that has as much pool time as possible, before diving in the ocean off Key Largo. Best to be very comfortable with your kit (gear) before adding the additional stressor of ocean diving. My OW class, because I did the classroom online, had only one pool session, which was supposed to be four hours, but because of issues with one of the other students, turned out to be like two and a half. I went to the shop owner and asked for more pool time and he agreed. Best to be comfortable breathing and being underwater in a controlled environment like a pool, before going out into the open water.

Best,
-Tim

 

[iluvtheocean]

would suggest to post in the FL section on a Naples area shop/instructor -- since i'm on the other coast, i doubt you want a 2 1/2 hr drive for classes.
PADI/NAUI/SDI, the particular agency doesn't matter - the quality of the instructor does.

 

[hroark2112]

Read through the materials before class and take notes on what you don't understand. Pay particular attention to the basic rules that will keep you safe. Don't hold your breath, stay arms reach from your buddy, and never be afraid to ask for help if you're not getting something. Pay close attention to the skills in the pool and don't move on to open water until you're 100% comfortable with the skills. Don't ever think you will never need a skill. They're taught for a reason.

#1 rule - Have fun!
#2 rule - Don't panic!!

 

[AlexFrost]

Ok so need to find a class with many pool sessions. The whole concept of a diving class online seems kinda odd. I d feel better with a more hands on actual classroom experience

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