Open water cert in a pool?

[drew52]

This is why you ask the certifying agency. If you are happy and they are happy go for it. What others think is there problem.

Just because I wouldn't like to certify people in these conditions does not mean you or someone else can't. There are many people who do certify in similar conditions that are considered to be Open Water.

And yes some places where people are certified have depth but been absent of any current or adverse conditions. Easy walk into the 85degree water, no current and 100ft visibilty but it is Open Water.

 

[JohnW]

I have been talking to a few people at WEM about opening a Dive shop there ........... fun dives at around 25 bucks a dive & we supply the air. I think this could be a great market.

I'd be first in line, even at double that. But like Jeff mentioned about the Doomed Shop, there is probably a good reason it's not being done now(high Rent?).

If you should get it going, doing intro's might have a good potential market, depending on costs.

 

[*Floater*]

I don't see what difference it makes whether you get certified in the ocean or in the pool, as long as the pool is big enough (the nemo33 is big enough imo). You just need enough space to swim around to get use to the equipment and buoyancy changes. And for CESA practice you need a good depth.

 

[altitudemike]

I'm hoping the other shop was doomed because you had to already be certified to dive there unless you wanted to snuba. WEM is doing up a package for us showing what they want out of us as far as commitment & cost. I only have my AOW & some specialties so I am more of an investor right now. I think there would be a lot more buisness if you could intro & complete classes. Diving off a full size pirate ship won't hurt either. I don't expect to get rich but it might pay for a trip or two a year.

 

[altitudemike]

It would also be great for refresher dives during winter before you go on holidays.

 

[String]

Why does there have to be currents & poor vis for an open water dive.

Open water definition by a few agencies also have "...regarding water movement and visibility".

Qualifying someone to dive in a non moving high visibility 5m pool would turn out open water divers only safe to dive in that swimming pool.

Lack of depth would be a major concern for me regarding skill practice and experience.
If they only want 5m, do a DSD.

 

[JohnW]

It would also be great for refresher dives during winter before you go on holidays.

This is a great idea, you could also offer the confined water portion of the OW course and give referalls. Aligning yourself with a tour operator might be a good idea too.

 

[altitudemike]

I guess you would have to see the pool. Calling it a pool does not do it justice, it's more of a marine park with dozens of different marine species.

 

[String]

OK so its an indoor aquarium. I still wouldnt say it meets several of the criteria needed to be classed as open water.

 

[H2Andy]

I still wouldnt say it meets several of the criteria needed to be classed as open water.

ok, such as?