there are a number of dive shops in nyc that offer courses even shorter in length than vacation locations-some do 1session class(assuming study on own beforehand)and 1 pool session or even 1 marathon day.has anyone taken a course like this and would care to offer their opinion? if one does an ow on referral basis, after an express course have you experienced difficulty with the ow dives? we have some prior certification experience(30 years ago and some carib dives) so the experience is not new but looking for new certification.
nyc express ow courses?
- Thread starter kriss
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Most of the people on this board will tell you that it is better to take a full course. There's just too much to learn to get it all in one day. Your life could be in the balance, is it really worth rushing through?
coach_izzy
Contributor
Agreed. I took my course in NY, but I did it once per week over a period of four weeks. Lots of time to absorb the material, no rush with skill training in the pool, and when you consult the textbook, it all makes more sense. This comes just from pure observation, but I've noticed that those people taking a referral to a resort after doing a quick "express" course remember very little in terms of skills, let alone the science behind diving. The resort instructors usually have to teach those skills over again to an already stressed out student. Take your time. There's much to learn.
The thing anyone taking a course like that would have to consider is what happens after the course. I remember when I took my OW, it was at a resort. I also took it very seriously. There were only two students in the class and our instructor was German...and quite rigid. I thought that was good.
But after finishing the course and the 5 required dives, I did a couple more dives before leaving the resort. It was an eye opening experience. Suddenly there was no one checking everthing I did. I had to make sure all my equipment was okay, I even had to go in the back and select my own BCD. That may not sound like a lot, but after only 5 dives, I suddenly realized how much I clearly did not know.
My first post certification dives (after leaving the resort) were in Florida. I booked on a day boat, and we headed out. It was a drift dive, with a lot of very experienced divers. I can tell you, the dives went well...but I can't imagine what it would have been like if I had only one or two dives under my belt because I had taken fast course.
If anything, I believe the overall requirements for OW should be increased, not decreased. Personally, I take responsibility for my own dives, but I fear a lot of divers don't.
Jeff
But after finishing the course and the 5 required dives, I did a couple more dives before leaving the resort. It was an eye opening experience. Suddenly there was no one checking everthing I did. I had to make sure all my equipment was okay, I even had to go in the back and select my own BCD. That may not sound like a lot, but after only 5 dives, I suddenly realized how much I clearly did not know.
My first post certification dives (after leaving the resort) were in Florida. I booked on a day boat, and we headed out. It was a drift dive, with a lot of very experienced divers. I can tell you, the dives went well...but I can't imagine what it would have been like if I had only one or two dives under my belt because I had taken fast course.
If anything, I believe the overall requirements for OW should be increased, not decreased. Personally, I take responsibility for my own dives, but I fear a lot of divers don't.
Jeff
scubaaaronh
Contributor
Why not just take a refresher course they are cheaper and still give you the pool time to get back in the water.
There have been quite a few changes in the 30 years since you originally learned to dive. Personally I believe more time in the water and classroom is better, extra time to practice never hurt anything.
Ber :lilbunny:
Ber :lilbunny:
TJ O'Dwyer
Contributor
My confined water and classroom was Fri nit Sat & Sun. I sure somethings were missed.
Take your time to learn everything. The life you save may be your own
Take your time to learn everything. The life you save may be your own
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