Nitrox Classes

[Maule]

I recently signed up for a Nitrox class. Was told it was 2 1/2 hours long and would be $195.00. ( havent taken it yet) I am interested in an Atomic mask and the nearest dealer is 1 1/2 hours away from me. Called him to ask if he had the masks in stock and store hours, as I didnt want to drive 1 1/2 hours 1 way to find him either not stocking it, sold out or the store closed. Turned out to be a really nice guy and we conversed for quite a while on the phone. The conversation turned to training and he asked me if I was interested in a Nitrox class as he had one this weekend. Told me I could come up, take the class and get in the water and try out the Atomic mask if I wanted to. He advised that the class was 8 hours and cost $100.00.
Ok, so now im confused. While the cost of the program matters it doesn't matter as much as what I will learn. The 2 1/2 hour class is PADI and the 8 hour class is NAUI. My question is, is there really this big a difference between PADI and NAUI? If any of you teachers out there want to chime in with how much you charge and how long it "usually" takes and who you do it though, I would appreciate that info also.

 

[jbd]

Nitrox classes are pretty easy. The info isn't that complex. In your situation I would opt for the lower priced class, do the dives with the mask you are considering. Its a win situation for you all the way around as I see it.

Most likely the difference in course length is based on the way the material is presented. With the PADI course you will probably do self study followed by the 2.5 hours set aside for knowledge review and posibbly a written exam.

With NAUI you will most likely be in a classroom setting while the instructor presents the material to you and then you take a written exam. The better prepared the students are before coming to class the quicker it will go and you may not actually spend 8 hours in class.

 

[K Mejean]

I have to agree. It is my understanding that you don't have to buy the books if you have a computer so the class is just $95.00. The books through NAUI are an additional $65.00. I don't know about the PADI but I here the NAUI is a piece of cake. I will be taking it in the next couple of months.

 

[Maule]

Most likely the difference in course length is based on the way the material is presented. With the PADI course you will probably do self study followed by the 2.5 hours set aside for knowledge review and posibbly a written exam.

I was told to show up and class will be 2 - 2 1/2 hours. No study material beforehand.

 

[cummings66]

IMO I would skip that class, somethings wrong with it given that info. My Nitrox course was a PADI course and we were provided books and DVD to study. The class took more time than what you're quoting as well.

I think somebody is shortchanging somebody in that particular class.

 

[Don Wray]

I also had home study, 4 hours classroom, there were only 2 of us in the class, then did the 2 dives. Mine was $79 plus books. I, too, would opt for the $100 class.

 

[Maule]

Thank you all for your feedback. I am going to take the class with the dealer 1 1/2 hour away. Gives me a reason to tell the special little sweetie why im going there. She doesn't have to know about the Atomic mask. Shhhh.......

 

[PFF]

The pricing and the time being quoted to you is rather confusing for the Nitrox course. The price is fairly close to when PADI required both the classroom work and 2 EAN tank dives. PADI no longer requires the tank dives and some places have dropped the course price to around $100. Your price of $195 would be out or line with what I have seen.

The time of 2 1/2 half hours may be a little aggresive to reviewing the course materials and answering questions. The course that I took with 6 to 7 people took almost 4 hours to complete.

I would question the PADI shop as to their basis for the $195 cost.

 

[PerroneFord]

A thorough treatment of Nitrox should take more than 2.5 hours. I'd be highly skeptical of that class.

 

[TheRedHead]

Maybe the instructor actually does a skills review with the students in the 8 hour class? Wouldn't that be amazing? Or the instructor could have been counting travel time as in: "It would take you 8 hours."