PADI Divemaster training on Grand Cayman - Recommendations?

[Alex777]

IMHO, on a DiveMaster course with an internship (which is likely to take 4 - 8 weeks) the important thing is to develop a personal relationship with an Instructor with whom you feel comfortable and compatible. This is quite a different situation from a quickie 2 - 3 day course like OWD, AOWD, or Rescue where you may be one of 6 or 8 students. Over a period of weeks, you will work closely with your instructor and learn a lot of her approach to handling students, interacting with customers, etc. It is the personal relationship which enables you to get maximum value from the course. The dive op itself is largely irrelevant, as long as they have sufficient numbers of students taking courses and customers wanting guided dives. Moreover, the agency she teaches in is not that important (although PADI is the norm here) - it is the personal qualities of the instructor that count.

Alex DM 273773

 

[Dr Wu]

Would you like to elaborate on/justify your negative comment? Personally, I've had several very good experiences diving with DiveTech while staying at Cobalt Coast. I've not done any training with them.

Because I had several bad experiences diving with Divetech while staying at Cobalt Coast. I have not done any training with them.

 

[billinwilliamston]

I think you are an owner at Morritt's. So am I. You can't do any better than TJ Staples with Ocean Frontiers. She is a Course Director, which means she trains instructors. It's right down the road, and the learning environment doesn't get any better.

Steer clear of Red Sail Sports, and the old Tortuga, now Red Sail as well.

Actually, we did our rescue with Sharon Goring at Tortuga and she and the entire staff were great. It was just my wife and I and we had the full attention of everyone at the shop. There were as many Red Sail employees involved in the hand's-on part of the training as there were students. In fact, once we were on the boat, there were more of them then there were of us. Sharon also came in on her day off to do extra work with us because our EFR training was seriously lacking.

 

[Alex777]

Actually, we did our rescue with Sharon Goring at Tortuga and she and the entire staff were great. It was just my wife and I and we had the full attention of everyone at the shop. There were as many Red Sail employees involved in the hand's-on part of the training as there were students. In fact, once we were on the boat, there were more of them then there were of us. Sharon also came in on her day off to do extra work with us because our EFR training was seriously lacking.

Given your positive report on the Rescue course, why not do the DM course with Sharon?

Alex DM 273773

 

[billinwilliamston]

Hi,

Blowing the dust off this thread long enough to say that Cheryl (my lovely bride) just completed her divemaster with Sunset House today. She's very happy which makes me very happy. Thanks to all for the recommendations.


Bill.

 

[brigidswims]

Hi, I am interested in getting my divemaster training in Grand Cayman as well and was wondering if you could give me some information on how much it cost for your wife to complete her training down there with sunset divers. I also was wondering what all was included and if you had to find somewhere to stay yourself or if they included that as well. Also, how long was the program?
Thanks so much!

 

[billinwilliamston]

Hi, I am interested in getting my divemaster training in Grand Cayman as well and was wondering if you could give me some information on how much it cost for your wife to complete her training down there with sunset divers. I also was wondering what all was included and if you had to find somewhere to stay yourself or if they included that as well. Also, how long was the program?
Thanks so much!

Hi,

Our situation was kind of unique, so I can't give you a good answer. We were down for a little over 3 months, so she had the opportunity to be a dive slave (intern) as part of her training. The free labor was factored into the cost. A place to stay was not included, but all the materials were. It is now SOP that you do your bookwork on-line before you start your hands-on training.