Opinions on LA County ADP dive instruction

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Dash

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165
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Location
LA / Orange County
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Ive seen a few positive remarks about this program, which Ive only recently become aware of. Has anyone here taken this course?

Ive been through the PADI AOW course, but wasnt overly thrilled with it. No serious complaints, just that I see it as a introduction to many other parts of diving and not as a in-depth learning program. I was happy to take the AOW if for no other reason than to have 5 more dives with an instructor.

It seems like the LA County course is more in-depth, with 14 planned dives. Its not cheap, at $450, thats for sure, but it very may well be worth it.

I know this summer's course has already started, so I may have to wait a while if I decide to take it.

Thanks.
 
Dash Riprock:
Ive seen a few positive remarks about this program, which Ive only recently become aware of. Has anyone here taken this course?

Ive been through the PADI AOW course, but wasnt overly thrilled with it. No serious complaints, just that I see it as a introduction to many other parts of diving and not as a in-depth learning program. I was happy to take the AOW if for no other reason than to have 5 more dives with an instructor.

It seems like the LA County course is more in-depth, with 14 planned dives. Its not cheap, at $450, thats for sure, but it very may well be worth it.

I know this summer's course has already started, so I may have to wait a while if I decide to take it.

Thanks.

Actually, considering what you get, it is pretty darned cheap. That includes a day at Catalina, a day on a boat, and many, many hours of instruction.

I took ADP last summer, and am helping out with the program this year. It made me a much more comfortable diver in general - and beach diver, in particular! It's a great way to spend a summer and meet some new dive buddies.

You can read about my experience taking ADP last year on my blog (older posts are down at the bottom):
ADP Journal
 
I have done the LA County ADP course, years ago. I liked it. It was very in-depth, all related to diving and life in the ocean, specifically ocean life in SoCal. They teach you from the very beginning, no matter what your certification level. Once I finished the course, I felt very comfortable in my skill level and they definitely raised my diving abilities. I am now an AI for PADI. Take the course... you will enjoy it and learn alot!!!!
 
$450 is nothing for this class. First it's a 14 dives minimum, then you'll have very good lectures that will really teach you and make you understand topics such as Oceanography and how knowing about it will help you with pre-dives. You will aslo do a lot of skin diving and you will become a very strong swimmer...LOL...as well.
Look at it as "Boot camp" for divers. Also there are as many Dive Masters / ADP graduates (helping) as there are students and both Staff and students are very committed... But it's not for everybody since you'll be spending every Saturdays and Sundays (usually all day) for 3 month. Although you can make up classes should you have to miss a weekend... You can also get your NAUI rescue and master diver certification at the same time since you will complete all the diving requirement for the Naui certs. All you'll have to do is take the naui exams (of course the naui books and cert fees/card is extra and not a requirement...) the course also include the red cross cpr/first aid class.

This is the best class you will ever take.
 
Outstanding course, by all reports. Incredibly in-depth program. Graduates actually earn the title of "advanced" coming out of that program.

If I had time, I'd be in it this year, but timing-wise, DM and GUE training came first this year. Next year I very much hope to take the ADP course.
 
I took the course in 2005 and thought it was pretty good. What they teach goes beyond the content of the NAUI advanced, rescue and master diver programs. The cost is something like $5 per hour of class and includes a boat trip. Also the staff is largely made of volunteers, and the student to instructor ratio is very low. Since the instructors are volunteers they really do want to be there are share their knowledge of diving. Also they have lectures from some of the leaders in the diving community. Leaders is usually a overused term but the founders of NAUI, PADI and SSI were all alumni of LA County programs, so they truly were leaders. As someone who has been tainted by DIR I do not 100% agree with the techniques they teach, but they may be coming around. 10 weekends is a bigger time commitment than the commercial courses, but you get out of it what you put into it. So if you can spend the time I would recommend it. If you sign up for next summer I may be your safety diver some weekend.
 
Dash Riprock:
It seems like the LA County course is more in-depth, with 14 planned dives. Its not cheap, at $450, thats for sure, but it very may well be worth it.

I've seen other scuba classes with only 4 days of instruction costing more than $500. This LA County dive program is 14-weeks long for $450, just to put it in perspective. You will not find a better economic value proposition. The only reason it is so affordable for the training is due to the countless hours of dedication volunteered by the staff without pay. They really do have quite remarkable people involved in the program.
 
liuk3:
I've seen other scuba classes with only 4 days of instruction costing more than $500. This LA County dive program is 14-weeks long for $450, just to put it in perspective. You will not find a better economic value proposition. The only reason it is so affordable for the training is due to the countless hours of dedication volunteered by the staff without pay. They really do have quite remarkable people involved in the program.

True, I remember paying something like $350-$400 for my Padi OW cert. $450 is a really good deal.
 
When I took a full semester L.A. County class at Cal State Northridge a long time ago from Dick Stride, it was only called a basic class. However, I believe that much of what is now taught in the ADP class was taught in that class.

I would highly recommend L.A. County training to anyone. L.A. County training has a great deal to do with the environment around the diver. So to those of you who are GUE trained and think you don't need this, it concentrates on a completely different aspect of your diving education and I believe you would still benefit greatly.

Take the class if you can set the time aside.

Christian
 

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