Online Nitrox course?

[Divedoggie]

I am trying to maximize our vacation time, and don't really want to spend dive, beach, or general tourist-time, in a classroom. However, we have an aggressive dive schedule, and would like to dive with enriched air. More for the sake of endurance, than extended bottom time.
Does anyone know of an online class that would enable us to have the classroom work completed, and then do the specific equipment check and dives at the resort?

 

[Jason B]

check out this link (I have not done this, just saw it one day surfing and bookmarked it)

http://www.americandivecenter.com/tdi_tech/tek_n2o2_door.htm

Jason

 

[Doc Intrepid]

Does anyone know of an online class that would enable us to have the classroom work completed, and then do the specific equipment check and dives at the resort?

but I'm (still) not sure that would be in your best interest. One of your local LDS's should be able to put you through a nitrox course in the next 30 days. While some agencies, I'm told, teach a Nitrox course with no dives, its not a bad idea to do some one on one with an instructor. Like lots of other things in diving, nitrox is not particularly challenging - but its unforgiving of oversight or error. And, of course, grabbing the wrong cylinder by mistake could kill you. Its likely worth a bit of your time to get it scoped out in detail. FWIW. YMMV.


Edit: Looks like Jason has what you need. Of course, you have to go to that specific shop to finalize your certification. Reviewing the material might not be a bad idea, though.

 

[pt40fathoms]

PADI is offering courses online. You have to select a local dive shop in your area when you register, and that dive shop will be the one you use for your check out dives. I'm not sure if they offer the ability to do check out dives at a resort location. I'll ask and get back to you on this point. Costs for the check out dives of course depend on the LDS pricing.

 

[pt40fathoms]

Just checked with PADI, and PADI America is only offering 2 courses for online study at this time, Scuba Review and Discover Enriched Air Nitrox.

Guess you'll have to visit your LDS directly, they can get the academics done for you and set up the referal dives at your destination.

 

[SCUBADIVINERIK]

Just checked with PADI, and PADI America is only offering 2 courses for online study at this time, Scuba Review and Discover Enriched Air Nitrox.

Guess you'll have to visit your LDS directly, they can get the academics done for you and set up the referal dives at your destination.

I heard this rumor in a dive shop. So its confirmed. Nitrox over the net....wow.

 

[MB]

You can, but...

I've worked with numerous students who had similar intentions -- take a class on-line, save the effort and time in class. But inevitably the students who did this missed much about the class, and never really learned the nuances and judgment that makes the class. It ain't rocket science, but it does require some "digesting" and it helps if you have a mentor or teacher to help you learn to make some judgment calls.

For the past 5 years I've been teaching most of my nitrox classes in a partial distance learning format. I use electronic study guides, students exchange information & feedback, and when they finish, THEN we meet for a review and further explanation. I've never had a student I would certify after just completing the DL segment. That includes a PHD in chemistry, an engineer, and two excellent instructors. At some point, it just doesn't make sense to make short cuts. A real class has so much more to offer.

 

[pt40fathoms]

I heard this rumor in a dive shop. So its confirmed. Nitrox over the net....wow.

Well, yeah, the academic portions anyways. You have to list the LDS you wish to take the checkout dives with when you register for the course. The LDS gets the info from PADI that you have signed up, so they know you exist.

It will be interesting to see just how popular it becomes.

 

[Divedoggie]

check out this link (I have not done this, just saw it one day surfing and bookmarked it)

http://www.americandivecenter.com/tdi_tech/tek_n2o2_door.htm

Jason

I checked the link out, and it looks great, but the check-out dives are at the sponsoring dive shop in Florida. That makes it difficult when you live in Colorado. The other little problem is that I have no LDS. The closest one is a few hours away, and even worse, this time of year the closest open water dive for the Nitrox checkout is 6 hours away! Its faster to fly somewhere. So, I guess we will either spend a weekend at a diveshop in Denver, and then roadtrip it to do the checkout dives or take care of it on vacation.
Thanks Everyone!
Dd.

 

[MY01SHADOW]

I checked the link out, and it looks great, but the check-out dives are at the sponsoring dive shop in Florida. That makes it difficult when you live in Colorado. The other little problem is that I have no LDS. The closest one is a few hours away, and even worse, this time of year the closest open water dive for the Nitrox checkout is 6 hours away! Its faster to fly somewhere. So, I guess we will either spend a weekend at a diveshop in Denver, and then roadtrip it to do the checkout dives or take care of it on vacation.
Thanks Everyone!
Dd.

Find an SSI shop near home. No checkout dives required (usually), 4hr classroom and $99 + books. I'm doing mine this weekend.

Mike