Questions before I even get started

[jtpwils]

If you saw my post in the meet and greet section I'm so new to this I haven't even decided what I'm going to do - and wanted to get some feedback to help me decide right from the start.

My backround: After many years of floating back up to the surface and blowing water out of my snorkel after trying so hard to get down there I’m figuring on getting into SCUBA but I'm not sure how I should start. I'm also encouraging (but not pushing) my 12 year old daughter to give it a try I appreciate it if you have any comments specific to her that would be helpful.

I'm doing an 8-day cruise from NYC spending one day each in Bermuda, St. Kitts, Antigua, St. Thomas, and San Juan and then staying over in San Juan for another 4 days. I figured I would either do nothing and take a few discover SCUBA classes or get partially or fully certified before I go.

What do you all think? Should I do the discover scuba classes or will I be bored to death having to re-do the beginning instruction over and over, or will that simply be good repetative learning.

If I get partially certified, will the dives they take someone who has virtually no diving experience be the same ones as the discover dives? If that's the case would I then get credit for them and they become "referal" dives? Since I'm only in each port for a day, can I do the open water certification dives at different places?

Thanks for your help.
Jim

 

[Teamcasa]

Jim, My brother got his certification on the cruise. He said it helped pass the time and they really did a pretty good job with his training.

For me, I'd get certified before I go and take the classes with your daughter. She will treasure that time together both during the classes and diving with you in the future.

 

[Froid]

Jim,

if you have the time, I would take the classroom and confined water at home, then do your 4 open water dives in San Juan.

If you feel that your daughter can handle it, have her go through the course with you. She will be limited to a certain depth dive. But there is so much to see at the 30' to 40' range she will be limited to until she is older.


Froid

 

[2905luvsbubbles]

I would agree with having your daughter take classes with you. It is a great bonding experience and great family activity. Just remember that at 12 she will respect scuba and as she gets a bit older may become more fearless (my son did) and have to be kept under a watchful eye. I have enjoyed every dive I have made as a family and my son and I have shared some special dives as the two of us are the only ones that will brave the cold in water in a dry suit. They have been special times.

 

[jtpwils]

Thanks all - I like the idea of doing the confined training here and completing open water on the cruise. Does it matter if the shop here is SSI and the dive centers are PADI?

 

[Divenomad]

Thanks all - I like the idea of doing the confined training here and completing open water on the cruise. Does it matter if the shop here is SSI and the dive centers are PADI?

In a perfect world, no. PADI has a slightly different standard. I would suggest contacting the PADI facility to double check, and take notes as to who you speak to. PADI instructors are allowed but not required to honor universal referral forms. it's not usually a problem near the US but it pays to check with the facility. Please note, if the ocean instructor honors the agreement, it's not necessary to get a PADI card from them. You will have already paid for an SSI card with your materials.You can if you want, no harm in it. Make sure you get a copy of the Universal referral form with the PADI instructors signatures on it for the original SSI shop.Without going into interagency politics, two cards are slightly better, a little more expensive ($20.00 or so). Neither is better or worse, its about reducing your headaches and making sure you get what you pay for. The vast majority of PADI instructors do not play this game; however, trust, but verify. Enjoy your dives and your cruise. The experience with your child is way more importasnt than whose acronym appears on your card.

Nomad

 

[Peter Guy]

Depending on how much time you have before your trip, I'd second TeamCasa and do the full cert at home. While I have not done any diving in your area, I understand there is, or can be, some very good diving. My experience is that you are better off learning to dive where you live because that will help you decide to dive where you live.

Diving is a skill that gets better the more often you do it and you are more likely to dive if you have local experience -- which makes you a better diver -- which convinces you to dive more ---- and so on.

This also has the advantage of not introducing new instructors, new gear, etc. when you do your checkouts.

HAVE FUN!

(I also second the notion of this being a good way to do something with your daughter -- they grow up awfully fast from that age!)

 

[Stu S.]

Consider taking Discover Scuba before you go. Many people can't equalize or "clear their ears" when swimming to SCUBA depths. (These folks can't become divers, so you won't get their ideas here.)

Anyway, you would know if you and your kid are capable of diving. You could avoid disappointment and make alternate plans if you find your inner ears are not made for diving.

Best of luck with it.

 

[AndrewST]

I would look at getting Certified prior to going on the cruise. Myself, Father, Mother, and younger Brother all paid for private lessons at our local LDS. It is great not having to deal with "classes" and getting the individual attention from the instructors.

It is a great family activity and I think you might enjoy the cruise more, and be more comfortable being Certified prior to going.

 

[imwright1985]

discover scuba was like 150ish here if i recall, cert here is 250 if your not afraid of risking the extra cash incase you cant dive just get certified, call the shops in San Juan if your interested in check outs there since some shops offer multiple courses there are like 20 different agencies world wide (the shop im using is SDI NAUI and Padi). I think the dives in NJ might be more intensive with the colder weather, if they are it would be better to do the whole cert there and since you live in that area you will have some exposure to your native land so you can dive there a little more familiarly while your home. While on your cruise id imagine your going to be doing guided dives reguardless so might as well get as familiar with your more frequent dive areas and get the regional differences taken care of early