OW Course in the Caribbean
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Depending on you location in the States, it is probabley cheaper to do it before you go to the Caribbean. Plus you'll have more time for Fun Diving while there, if you do it before you leave.
It is more expensive there but its hard to beat the scenery,seriously,I did my open water there because I had a friend there that worked at a dive shop. He got me the books so I was ready to take the written test when I got there. I actually did my open water and AOW both in the same week.Sure makes it tough to come back and dive murky lakes.
I got certified in Cozumel. Its more expensive and probably not as thurough as an LDS OW course, but I wonder if I had dropped into a dirty lake with 2 foot viz for my first OW dive if I would have completed it and continued to enjoy diving.
I like Vinny's idea. Save up, find a good instructor down there and knock out your OW and AOW in one week. That means you will have a minimum of nine consecutive dives with a seasoned instructor in one of the best diving environments in the world. Wish I would have done it that way.
I like Vinny's idea. Save up, find a good instructor down there and knock out your OW and AOW in one week. That means you will have a minimum of nine consecutive dives with a seasoned instructor in one of the best diving environments in the world. Wish I would have done it that way.
Do the best of both worlds, get all your classroom and pool work done where you live, get a referral and do your open water dives there.
Damselfish
Contributor
If you learn to dive in cold water, diving in warm water will be really easy. If you learn to dive in warm water, you won't be prepared yet to dive in cold water if you think you will want to do that. You will at least need some additional practice and pointers from someone who is, perhaps arrange something with a local DM. (An argument could be made for learning the basics in easier conditions then moving to cold water later, but I'm not sure how many people do that?)
If you learn to dive at home or at least do the pool stuff and get a referral, you will spend less of your vacation in class and more time just diving. If you do the class and pool at home, you would hopefully talk about and maybe practice in the pool some of the things unique to cold water such as dealing with a thick wetsuit and more weight.
It's possible to get both bad and good courses in both places, just need to do your research either way.
If you learn to dive at home or at least do the pool stuff and get a referral, you will spend less of your vacation in class and more time just diving. If you do the class and pool at home, you would hopefully talk about and maybe practice in the pool some of the things unique to cold water such as dealing with a thick wetsuit and more weight.
It's possible to get both bad and good courses in both places, just need to do your research either way.
Don Wray:
If your local water is cold and dark this is a great way. Minimum you loose a couple of days to do the open water dives. But you get aclimatised to the environment, buoyancy problems changing to salt water mostly solved, etc.
Remember though you are still beginers, they are a lot of dives you are not experienced enough to do.
Just because the boat is going to do a 100ft wall dive does not mean that you have the experience to do it as well. You might be ok, you might not, do not take a chance. Stay within your comfortable limits.
Have a fantastic time it is a great sport but treat the sea with a little respect.
colby
Contributor
Don Wray:
I did this last October and it is an excellent way to go. You don't waste any fun time doing the classroom or book work, and you spend your time diving.
trigfunctions
Contributor
"Do the best of both worlds, get all your classroom and pool work done where you live, get a referral and do your open water dives there."
Agreed - that is what I did (Classroom in Chicago, referral dives in Dominica) and it worked out perfectly. You won't waste time in a classroom while on vacation and you will have your own personal dive guide on your first dives to show you the cool critters.
Agreed - that is what I did (Classroom in Chicago, referral dives in Dominica) and it worked out perfectly. You won't waste time in a classroom while on vacation and you will have your own personal dive guide on your first dives to show you the cool critters.
Jarrett:I got certified in Cozumel. Its more expensive and probably not as thurough as an LDS OW course, but I wonder if I had dropped into a dirty lake with 2 foot viz for my first OW dive if I would have completed it and continued to enjoy diving.Jarrett:A friend of mine there charges less than what I do up here and you get boat dives!
Jarrett:
I know a good instructor in Coz.
I personally like to train people up here(pool and classroom) and give them a referal for the tropics. The vis here right now IS 2 feet and I refuse to take people out in that unless they are doing some kind of advanced course.
I, of course ,like to hook up with my students down in the tropics as well.
Ron
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