Picking Dive internship

[dorkus24]

A few years back I got Open Water certified in the cayman's and haven't dived since but the beautiful memories always remained. I had been reading for the past year about Dive internships which last 3-6 months and people can go from nothing to Instructor cert so I have decided to take the plunge. I quit my job to go on a gap year (or 2) and become a certified DM or maybe even Instructor (PADI).

I knew I wanted SE Asia because it's really cheap to live there and the choices came down to Mermaid's group in Thailand and Rainbow Divers in Vietnam. Both are pretty prolific on the web and I like their information packages so I started weighing the pro's and cons. (Please note these pro's and con's only apply to me since other people may look for different things in a dive school) Because I think they both will have about the same quality of teaching my main issues were price and location when making this list.

- Mermaids has a much better and informative website.
- Mermaid's price is HIGHER (3800 from their website) but it also includes all your SCUBA gear (BCD, Console, etc)
- Rainbow's price I think will come out to be lower (1800 w/o eq) with the same equipment in purchased.
- Mermaid's is located in Pattaya Thailand! Fun fun fun for a single guy like me.
- Rainbow is located in Nha Trang Vietnam which isn't horribly far (few hours) from my aunt's house.

I think I am picking Rainbow. Even though I think my night life will be much much more fun in Thailand the equipment thing struck me. Personally, I like having my own stuff and I like good items so I figure if I go with Mermaid then I may end up with basic equipment which I'd want to upgrade from and personalize. So I (think I) would end up paying the increased price initially (+2000) and then pay even more afterwards for new gear. Rainbow requires I purchase mask snorkel and fins but will give free equipment rental unti I can decide what gear I want. I already know from reading these boards that I want a wrist computer rather than a console and force fins sound nice but because there are so many types of fins I think I want to try out a few before I purchase.

Any comments? Am I missing anything or is there anything else I should ask? Does anyone have experience with either of these dive ops?

 

[kirst]

Hey,
I'm looking at doing exactly the same thing and had also looked at Rainbow. When are you planning on going?

 

[AndyNZ]

I was talking to a PADI Instructor Examiner this week (whilst taking the IE). He was talking about variation of quality of instructor candidates throughout the SEAP region - in light of his comments, make sure that you (if you go for the IDC) are being taught to teach, not taught how to pass the IE.

With regards the internship option, you have to ask yourself whether it's the right thing for you. You will always hear "zero to hero" negative comments - the basis for a lot of them is that you come out of the IE with a shiny cert, but no personal dive experiences. Virtually every dive you have ever done has been a training dive. It doesn't mean that you're a bad instructor, it just means that you don't have much breadth with which to inspire your students.

Whether you stop at DM or carry on for the IDC, make sure that you make time for personal diving. If you don't you'll burn out.... you'll also run the risk of being dull in your classes!