PADI resort

[jmps]

I am taking a PADI OW class and pool course locally and am planning on doing my two final OW certification dives in Roatan (first two in GC). The shop I am considering says they offer PADI certification but they don't say the are a "PADI Dive Center" like the one in GC. What does this mean and does this matter? Can they still sign off for me to send in my form to PADI? I searched the site but couldn't find the question answered. Thanks.

 

[scubadoguk]

I am taking a PADI OW class and pool course locally and am planning on doing my two final OW certification dives in Roatan (first two in GC). The shop I am considering says they offer PADI certification but they don't say the are a "PADI Dive Center" like the one in GC. What does this mean and does this matter? Can they still sign off for me to send in my form to PADI? I searched the site but couldn't find the question answered. Thanks.

It is the instructor who signs off the OW not the center, check with PADI that the instructor is a padi instructor and all will be well, contact the center for info about who is doing the check outs with you.
Also ask your local guy to explain it more about what to watch for when doing check outs when travelling.

 

[FatCat]

Dive centres wanting to advertise using the PADI logo and wanting to use the label "PADI Divecentre" or beyond, have to pay membership fees to PADI.

For some ops this is too much of a financial burden. Sometimes they just choose not to advertise as a PADI facility.

This is not a problem, as long as the instructor who is teaching the course is a current PADI member. This is easy to check: simply ask to see the instructor's card. It should show an expiry date end of 2005. If this date is marked on a decal, that's allright. They don't send us new cards every year.

 

[mike_s]

There is also the "Padi 5 star dive center'.

I think the only difference in this and a "normal Padi dive center" is that they pay more and sign an agreement that they will only do Padi certifications (instead of offering NAUI, etc). They also get to use a logo that has 5 extra little stars on it from PADI

 

[jmps]

Thanks everyone! I understand now about instructor vs "dive center." I feel much better about my choice. Now I have to decide whether or not to buy the split fins that the LDS recommended. I have found a lot of discussion about that.

 

[freediver]

Thanks everyone! I understand now about instructor vs "dive center." I feel much better about my choice. Now I have to decide whether or not to buy the split fins that the LDS recommended. I have found a lot of discussion about that.

I would go with the PADI 5 star split fins.

 

[DeputyDan]

Not to be rude but why do your certification dives this way.

It would be much better to get them done at one site and then enjoy diving at the other site.

 

[scubadoguk]

Not to be rude but why do your certification dives this way.

It would be much better to get them done at one site and then enjoy diving at the other site.

Maybe its too cold schedule conflicts the list goes on, Gets very cold out the water further north you go.
Also the person looks to be doing a cruise and as such would be with a instructor on all the dives or a dive master.
Skills are used on all dives the difference is the instructor is looking on this dive and call it if someone is not ready, that we can't always do.

 

[jmps]

Not to be rude but why do your certification dives this way.

It would be much better to get them done at one site and then enjoy diving at the other site.

We will be on a cruise and I have to split the certification dives between two ports. I could get three done in one but I am going two and two. I would prefer to do all in one place for sure. Your question wasn't rude at all.

 

[scubatoys]

Thanks everyone! I understand now about instructor vs "dive center." I feel much better about my choice. Now I have to decide whether or not to buy the split fins that the LDS recommended. I have found a lot of discussion about that.

Split fins are great... if you get the right ones.... but the whole padi 5 star thing means nothing. It was pretty funny, I ran in my yellow page add that we were "Dallas' only 6 Star Training Facility" Dropped 6 stars in the ad as well.... boy did it irratate the local 5 star shops... They paid $1500 and let someone else dictate their business model and plans just so they could say they are 5 star. I choose my own business plans, have educational freedom to teach any classes I choose, it cost me nothing... and I got 6 stars...