Question about Instruction

[medic_diver45]

Since I am having a bit of a problem finding a dive shop that has space in a class anytime soon (and won't charge me an arm and a leg to do it), I was curious as to whether certified instructors are allowed to teach on their own or if it has to be through a dive shop? I figure there is probably some sort of an insurance concern with this or something.... I'd like to get the OW class done sometime soon but that's not looking plausible at this point if I have to wait on the LDS'es . No dive shops around here seem to have any classes weekend classes anytime soon (I'd like to knock out the class as fast as I can, 2-3 days if possible), all that is available are the long version of the PADI course (one or two classes a week for a month or so). If it's possible to hire someone individually to teach me and my fiancee for less than what it would cost through a dive shop (cheapest I've found is about $275 each for the luxury of twiddling our thumbs for a month before we can go dive) , then I am more than game for it. Just want to make sure it's all legal as far as PADI is concerned before I start looking any further into it.

 

[DandyDon]

Padi certainly does not require it being done thru a LDS, nor would any other agency, I don't think. It's just it's the local shops that drive the industry; without them, we wouldn't have much of a sport. I wouldn't know about Indiana law, but can't think of any reason why it may contradict? Call the shops and ask if they know any independent instructors. Also check LDSs within reasonable distance.

$275 is pretty cheap, though, and private classes will probably cost more. Give it some thought - if you were going to obtain and furnish Padi materials and C-cards, pay insurnace costs, spend another 2 full days in class and pool, 2 half days in OW, and provide gear, after doing extensive training to become qualified: Would you do it for less than $500? You will some who will for less than $500, but not less than $275, I wouldn't think.

Really, if you're looking for a cheap sport, this ain't it. I used to snorkel; it's fun.

 

[mikediveguy]

sure the instructors, unless the shop supplies their insurance, are completely able to teach independantly of the shop. However the cost of gear/pool may make it uneconomical for them to teach for less than the group rate. so if u want an independant instr. to teach just the 2 of you, expect to pay more!
I personally charge 150% of the lds cost to teach small groups, and more for individuals.

 

[wedivebc]

Since I am having a bit of a problem finding a dive shop that has space in a class anytime soon (and won't charge me an arm and a leg to do it), I was curious as to whether certified instructors are allowed to teach on their own or if it has to be through a dive shop? I figure there is probably some sort of an insurance concern with this or something.... I'd like to get the OW class done sometime soon but that's not looking plausible at this point if I have to wait on the LDS'es . No dive shops around here seem to have any classes weekend classes anytime soon (I'd like to knock out the class as fast as I can, 2-3 days if possible), all that is available are the long version of the PADI course (one or two classes a week for a month or so). If it's possible to hire someone individually to teach me and my fiancee for less than what it would cost through a dive shop (cheapest I've found is about $275 each for the luxury of twiddling our thumbs for a month before we can go dive) , then I am more than game for it. Just want to make sure it's all legal as far as PADI is concerned before I start looking any further into it.

PADI is one agency that allows for idependant instructors to teach without belonging to a LDS. Like Don said, it is highly unlikely you will get private instruction for less than $275 but if you are willing to pay the premium for semi private lessons you will at least have more flexibility with the schedule.

good luck with your search.

 

[msandler]

That would be a private lesson. Your LDS will hook you up with an instructor that can work with your schedule. There are a million of them. It is more expensive.

 

[medic_diver45]

The problem is that the LDS within a reasonable distance all expect us to sit for four or five days and piddle around....I've heard of classes being done in three days (mostly in the Caribbean) that meet the standards for OW certification.

The main impetus behind all this is that I don't want to have to wait until next spring to do my dives (as the saying goes I'll get into a class just when hell freezes over...which is normally the beginning of December (but the water is bone-chilling cold around here about the end of this month- and I don't think they allow drysuits on the OW checkout dives) ....None of the dive shops around here seem to be very accomodating towards those of us who have weird work schedules (or just don't like dragging something out any longer than it has to be).

I may just say screw it and go down to Florida for a few days and take my d--n class down there....I don't plan on diving much up here in Indiana anyhow (nothing to see and you couldn't see it if there was). I've spent enough time skin diving in the muddy lakes and ponds around here to know better than to waste my time (and risk the DCS or AGE) to see bluegill.

 

[nauifins73]

This is just my opinion but I don't think you will sit and piddle around in 6 week class. I took a fast track weekend course and it was the worse thing I could have done. The only saving grace was the fact that my husband who has been certified since 1969 took it too so I would have a buddy.

You have no time to absorb the info and prepare questions. There is time for the skills to be just demonstrated - not real time to practice between classes. I can not think of anything positive about a weekend class except that it is over quickly. This is not a sport for the instruction to be taken lightly. Your open water class is your foundation for where other more advanced classes are built upon. Please think about what you have to learn and that the more time you spend the more you learn.

Becky

 

[medic_diver45]

You have no time to absorb the info and prepare questions. There is time for the skills to be just demonstrated - not real time to practice between classes. I can not think of anything positive about a weekend class except that it is over quickly. This is not a sport for the instruction to be taken lightly. Your open water class is your foundation for where other more advanced classes are built upon. Please think about what you have to learn and that the more time you spend the more you learn.

Becky

For most people this would pose a problem, but I, as I have stated before, have taken the class before and did not finish the checkout dives due to a broken right leg courtesy of a car accident. I wouldn't mind taking four or five days worth of practical training, actual in water time, but spending two days of that in the classroom is of little benefit, especially with a week before you apply it (which is just about long enough for most people to forget it)

As for practicing.....how does one practice something between classes? It would seem that since you can't get the gear without the card, you can't practice unless the instructor is with you and most of them will charge extra for this. If you're speaking of just getting comfortable in the water, I think that you should be comfortable in the water before you start the class.....that way if something goes wrong, you are comfortable and less likely to panic.

I see your point and it is a valid one, but I think that people learn at different speeds and instructors need to try their best to work with persons of all ability levels. Some people are born comfortable in the water, some learn it at an early age, some people gradually become comfortable, some never do. I pick things up quick and get bored when things don't move along- there are lots of people like me out there.....not nearly as many as there are people who never seem to catch on (like my brother-but that is a topic for another posting). Oh well....I'll get my training one way or another.....

 

[DandyDon]

For most people this would pose a problem, but I, as I have stated before, have taken the class before and did not finish the checkout dives due to a broken right leg courtesy of a car accident.

I don't think you mentioned this in this thread? What about the fiaance?

As for practicing.....how does one practice something between classes?

I believe there's pool practice required with the classroom? We mixed it up - class, pool, class, pool, etc. - then the OW, which has to be over 2 days.

I see your point and it is a valid one, but I think that people learn at different speeds and instructors need to try their best to work with persons of all ability levels. Some people are born comfortable in the water, some learn it at an early age, some people gradually become comfortable, some never do. I pick things up quick and get bored when things don't move along

Yeah, me too. All the skills came easy to me, - and we can be some of the most dangerous divers. I still screw up way too much when I don't pay attention. Read several threads in the Accident and Near Accident forums.

Call the LDSs and see if they know anyone putting together a class not done by the LDS. The'll tell you, as they don't make money off of the classes anyway.

 

[medic_diver45]

Sorry about that....I have mentioned the car accident several times before in various threads and it just came out as "as I have mentioned before".... ooops LOL

As for people who learn easily being the most dangerous I agree....but only those who fail to recognize the limits of their knowledge. Personally, I'm very cautious....because I know my limitations and try not to get anywhere near them.....I had a fire chief who used to tell me that "Your limitations are like a rabid guard dog, they're really good at keeping you from going too far, and it's best to know where they are both at at all times because either of them can eat you alive."

As for the looking for private classes....nevermind. I think the OW class is a good excuse to go to Florida on Fall Break with my fiancee.

Don, do you live near Canyon, TX by any chance?