Private Certification

[horn34]

Anyone done private cert training recently? I'll be there for 2-3 weeks in May and want to get certified. There's a bunch of shops around here that will do private cert training in 3 days, but I'd prefer to do it down there.

 

[DjDiverDan]

Why do it in Cozumel? You'll eat into your vacation time, spending it indoors doing class work and testing? At the very least, do the classroom work at home (I did mine a long, long time ago, pre-internet, but I believe you can now do it all online), and if you do all of the classroom and pool work at a local dive shop, all you'll need to do is get a referral to just do the certification dives in Cozumel.

 

[MMM]

You can't swing a dead cat without hitting a dive op who will train you for OW cert. down here. I know when you are new you don't know what you don't know. So ask questions about how much personal time with the instructor, "do-overs" and their general standards (like does everyone pass?). Then see how that compares with your local training. One option would be to do classroom stuff at home and then get a referral for your check out dives in Cozumel's warm, clear water. It's been so long for me since my certification days that I am sorry to say I don't know whether that would cost more money (probably) and if so, how much.

 

[horn34]

You can't swing a dead cat without hitting a dive op who will train you for OW cert. down here. I know when you are new you don't know what you don't know. So ask questions about how much personal time with the instructor, "do-overs" and their general standards (like does everyone pass?). Then see how that compares with your local training. One option would be to do classroom stuff at home and then get a referral for your check out dives in Cozumel's warm, clear water. It's been so long for me since my certification days that I am sorry to say I don't know whether that would cost more money (probably) and if so, how much.

I'd prefer to do the class work/studying at home (if there is such a course that allows it) but the pool work is a pain to arrange/schedule/get to here and it's much cheaper in Mexico.

 

[horn34]

You can't swing a dead cat without hitting a dive op who will train you for OW cert. down here. I know when you are new you don't know what you don't know. So ask questions about how much personal time with the instructor, "do-overs" and their general standards (like does everyone pass?). Then see how that compares with your local training. One option would be to do classroom stuff at home and then get a referral for your check out dives in Cozumel's warm, clear water. It's been so long for me since my certification days that I am sorry to say I don't know whether that would cost more money (probably) and if so, how much.

I know there are a ton of dive shops/instructor options in Coz/PDC, but I'm just not seeing options for Private Certification on their websites.

 

[MMM]

I know there are a ton of dive shops/instructor options in Coz/PDC, but I'm just not seeing options for Private Certification on their websites.

Just go to their "training" or "courses" or similar link on their websites. It will all be private certification. Group training isn't the norm here.

 

[horn34]

Just go to their "training" or "courses" or similar link on their websites. It will all be private certification. Group training isn't the norm here.

I promise, I've looked at a dozen sites. A few list "private instructions" as part of the OW course, but it doesn't say whether it's one-on-one training or if it just means an instructor will spend some private time with each person enrolled in the group class.

 

[ccannon707]

I put "private instruction OW course Cozumel Mexico" in Google & came up with quite a few. Never heard a bad word about Tony.... very highly regarded. Also Christi of Blue XTSea offers it. I also say do the book work at home. Do the pool/cert dives in Cozumel.

ScubaTony Scuba Diving Instruction, Cozumel Mexico (Link)
SCUBATONY INSTRUCTION
Our Open Water courses include: private instruction, materials, tanks, weights, rental gear (BCD, regulator, mask, fins, snorkel, and wetsuit if needed), certification fees, marine park fees, and taxes. All 4 open water dives are from our boat. There are no hidden fees.

 

[kmurray719]

I promise, I've looked at a dozen sites. A few list "private instructions" as part of the OW course, but it doesn't say whether it's one-on-one training or if it just means an instructor will spend some private time with each person enrolled in the group class.

Almost any OW course here will be private or semi-private. You just don't see the large group courses you do in other places. You may end up with another student or 2, but unless a group comes here together to get certified, rarely will you have more than that. It's just the way the logistics work, people schedule based on the dates of their trip, unlike in most non-tourist areas. I'm sure you could pay a little more to guarantee 1:1 instruction with most shops, but I personally feel that having at least one other student in an OW course is beneficial. Make sure you ask any op you're interested in if they will conduct OW courses for only 1 diver without extra cost. I know some won't run a course without two students, including the op cited above by ccannon.

And you can absolutely do the academics at home and the water work here, through PADI, and possibly other agencies. It's called e-learning. You do the "book work" online, then do the confined water ("pool") and open water dives with an instructor here.

Choose a few ops you're interested in and email them with all your questions. No one here on this board is going to be able to tell you the policies of each of the shops on the island and whether they will offer what you want. But you shouldn't have a problem finding one here that will.

 

[cvchief]

I promise, I've looked at a dozen sites. A few list "private instructions" as part of the OW course, but it doesn't say whether it's one-on-one training or if it just means an instructor will spend some private time with each person enrolled in the group class.

We have sent a bunch of relatives to book/pool at home and then open water dive to finish in Coz. In addition to the one's mentioned, I think Matteo at Blue Angel has a very good rep at a trainer and I know he is a good guy. It's Mexico, if you want something special like private instruction, just ask. If they can, many will accommodate you.