OW Certification Question

[Tilux]

Hey,
I got into diving with the discover diving course two years ago in a resort. I'm now going back in vacation for a week! What I wanted to know is that could I do the ELearning at home and do the practical part over at the resort? Because I don't want to do only diving out there, see the place and stuff.
Might aswell mention it's with PADI.

 

[FiremanIRFD]

You would still need to do the pool sessions before your trip, but I would recommend doing class and pool sessions through a local shop at least at home before going. Doing class and pool together will be cheaper than doing ELearning and local pool.

Also if you can, do the open water dives at home too, that will give you more time to do fun dive while on vacation. Why cut yourself short on the awesome stuff?

 

[Tilux]

Simply because we are short on time, ( 2 weeks and finishing school this week) could I still make it?

 

[00wabbit]

My Local shop offered an Executive course. You did all the book work at home and then brought in your knowledge reviews at the end of each chapter to review. Then you did all the pool sessions over a Saturday and Sunday. I did this. It was a little more than doing it over a few weeks. At the end of Sunday you take the exam. If you pass then they can put together a referral package so you can take it to a resort on vacation and do your open water dives.

 

[Tilux]

Il check it out with my LDS,
Thanks!

 

[Scuba_Noob]

If you have two weeks before your vacation, you can finish a PADI Open Water course. One of your local dive shops might offer some sort of "accelerated" program, where more stuff is crammed into fewer days.

My OW course had two options, five days or two weekends and a night. I felt that it was a very thorough course that taught me the necessary skills to end up as a decent OW diver after my certification. With these types of courses, you get what you put in, so study hard and work at it.

 

[DivemasterDennis]

But as you do an accelerated course, don't make it and "abbreviated" course. You need to invest the same time in doing the book work and reviews and pool work as you would if the calendar was not a factor. We accommodate some students by engaging in 2 intense days (up to 8 hours each) of book/ pool, book/ pool, followed by two days of open water dives. The key is for the student to read their materials and do the reviews in advance of class. If you do that, (we are a PADI shop) certifying in a week is not a problem.
DivemasterDennis

 

[DukeAMO]

Yeah, allow plenty of time for the book work. Start now! I was surprised how long it took to read the book and do the exercises. Maybe 15 hours?

 

[Kitty_Kat]

Most of the (PADI) shops in my area also do weekend OW courses. Same schedule DivemasterDennis mentioned. They're a little hectic sometimes but I know a lot of the students really like doing all of the their pool work in two ~7 hour sessions instead of over a few weeks since it seems less spread out and they get to spend more total time already in the water instead of getting in/getting out. I do think that the classroom part can get a little rushed in these though so you do have to put in a little extra time on your own!

 

[oly5050user]

I would suggest going to LDS and check if they have a weekend schedule that works for you. If not then you may have to go for a private course scheduled just for yourself. It would cost more , but due to short notice on your part , that may be the only way to go. We have a sign posted that says"poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on our part"..so true at times.. At the very least get the academics and confined water (pool) requirements done locally and the 4 training dives can be completed on vacation easily.