You do not say what agency your course is with. Some will tell you that it makes no difference at the Open Water level. This is not at all true. There are major differences in standards among agencies and before you choose any I'd advise you to look into them. Before you sign any papers or pay any money ask the instructor or shop to show you in writing the standards of the agency you will certified through. They should be happy to show you these. If they say they can't or don't have them handy do not sign up for the class until they produce them. If they do show you, ask them how they differ from other programs. If they say they don't that's a lie. As I stated there are major differences and an experienced shop or instructor should be able to note them. I have the standards for 7 different agencies in my library. They were neither hard nor overly expensive to get.
Next did you interview the instructor and/or shop to make sure you are a good fit with each other? You should put as much effort into doing this as you would if you were hiring an employee you were going to trust with your most valued posessions. In this case those posessions are your lives. Don't choose a class with less thought than you would a new TV. Many people make this mistake.
If you are not sure how to choose a good class read this before going and ask the questions of the instructor or shop. They should be more than happy to answer them.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ne...ng/287780-how-find-excellent-scuba-class.html
Then read this thread before signing up for the class and ask questions of the instructor based on it.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ne...ering-diving/283566-who-responsible-what.html
Next I'd ask you to consider getting a copy of my book: SCUBA: A Practical Guide for the New Diver.
In it are chapters on choosing an instructor, shop, training, and gear. It is available from me for a little as $10 for the Pdf version that I email to you. There are a number of topics that are often not included in your initial training that I feel should be.
Another thing to consider is what type of diving do you hope to do after the course. Only trips to tropical locations, local diving in quarries and lakes, or a combination. This will have a large bearing on what skills you will need to learn intially. If tropical only dives led by a guide then some programs seem geared to that in content and skills. Local diving in the midwest means more gear, no guides or DM's, and you will need to be more self sufficient. I recommend a course that also incorporates basic rescue skill in the OW class such as panicked diver, unconscious diver from depth, and supporting a diver at the surface as a bare minimum for any OW diver.
As for gear. Most courses require you to have your own mask, snorkel, fins, and boots. Fit is critical for the mask and you should try on as many as necessary to get the right one. Price is not an indicator of a good mask. One that costs $100 and does not fit is junk. The $30 one that seals well on your face and is comfortable is priceless. For the snorkel get the cheapest one you can without any gimmicks like flappers and levers that make it what is known as a dry snorkel. Try to get one that rolls or folds up so you can shove it in a pocket once under water. Boots are another fit item. You don't have to spend a fortune. Good boots that will work for most can be had for 30 bucks. Fins are another item you do not have to go broke on. Whether paddle or split open heel ones are the preferred style as they can be gotten off and on quickly and allow you to put them on after you get into the water after walking over the gravel, hot sand, rocks etc in your boots that you wear with the fins. Very good fins can be had for under $100 bucks. $140 will get you great ones. Don't accept the first pair the shop or instructor recommends. Especially if they are expensive. Ask to try them first in the water or that model in the water first.
ANy more questions just ask.
Next did you interview the instructor and/or shop to make sure you are a good fit with each other? You should put as much effort into doing this as you would if you were hiring an employee you were going to trust with your most valued posessions. In this case those posessions are your lives. Don't choose a class with less thought than you would a new TV. Many people make this mistake.
If you are not sure how to choose a good class read this before going and ask the questions of the instructor or shop. They should be more than happy to answer them.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ne...ng/287780-how-find-excellent-scuba-class.html
Then read this thread before signing up for the class and ask questions of the instructor based on it.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ne...ering-diving/283566-who-responsible-what.html
Next I'd ask you to consider getting a copy of my book: SCUBA: A Practical Guide for the New Diver.
In it are chapters on choosing an instructor, shop, training, and gear. It is available from me for a little as $10 for the Pdf version that I email to you. There are a number of topics that are often not included in your initial training that I feel should be.
Another thing to consider is what type of diving do you hope to do after the course. Only trips to tropical locations, local diving in quarries and lakes, or a combination. This will have a large bearing on what skills you will need to learn intially. If tropical only dives led by a guide then some programs seem geared to that in content and skills. Local diving in the midwest means more gear, no guides or DM's, and you will need to be more self sufficient. I recommend a course that also incorporates basic rescue skill in the OW class such as panicked diver, unconscious diver from depth, and supporting a diver at the surface as a bare minimum for any OW diver.
As for gear. Most courses require you to have your own mask, snorkel, fins, and boots. Fit is critical for the mask and you should try on as many as necessary to get the right one. Price is not an indicator of a good mask. One that costs $100 and does not fit is junk. The $30 one that seals well on your face and is comfortable is priceless. For the snorkel get the cheapest one you can without any gimmicks like flappers and levers that make it what is known as a dry snorkel. Try to get one that rolls or folds up so you can shove it in a pocket once under water. Boots are another fit item. You don't have to spend a fortune. Good boots that will work for most can be had for 30 bucks. Fins are another item you do not have to go broke on. Whether paddle or split open heel ones are the preferred style as they can be gotten off and on quickly and allow you to put them on after you get into the water after walking over the gravel, hot sand, rocks etc in your boots that you wear with the fins. Very good fins can be had for under $100 bucks. $140 will get you great ones. Don't accept the first pair the shop or instructor recommends. Especially if they are expensive. Ask to try them first in the water or that model in the water first.
ANy more questions just ask.
