reading before open water certification

[ckjacques53198]

I'm interested in getting my open water certification through a local dive shop. I wouldn't mind getting a head start on the course by doing some reading. Would a dive shop offer the text book before the class, can the textbook be bought elsewhere or could you recommend another book? Thanks for any help.

 

[offroaddiver]

I bought my book in advance and studied it since I was goin on vacation the week before it started. Buying online ...ask if they give a discount if you buy the book from them instead.....sometimes works.

 

[rab]

My local PADI shop also has the OW course on CD-ROM. You can not only do the reading, but see all the videos, too! They offer a special CD-based version of the OW class where the classroom time is reduced since you've already seen everying. Just Knowledge Reviews and Q&A before you hit the pool!

-Rob

(Of course, I didn't know about that option when I got my CD so I did the normal length course and saw everything twice.)

 

[BrianS]

Yep, you should be able to find the book at most any dive shop and even sport chalet's. It runs about $44 w/o CD and $54 w/CD. But you should check to make sure it's not included in your tuition price first, and if it is, ask if you can pick it up early.

 

[auberg]

another good book that I picked up to supplement my class manual was "scuba diving for dummies." It came with a cd too. It filled in some of the holes that were in the info of my manual.

 

[ckjacques53198]

Thanks everyone for the quick and helpful responses. I've snorkeled in the past but always wanted to learn to dive.

 

[spectrum]

Thanks everyone for the quick and helpful responses. I've snorkeled in the past but always wanted to learn to dive.

Your Snorkeling experince will give you a nice head start. Congratulations on deciding to take the next step. Get out a do some snorkeling in the meantime, your legs will be toned and you will be much much less likely to cramp. You'll be totally at ease with sustained oral breathing and you can go scout future dive sites. You can even practice stuff like mask clearing if you want, but it's easier on SCUBA.

Other options besides getting a jump on your actual class are to devour Scubaboard and get every back issue of Dive Training magazine you can find, ask your shop if they have back issues stuffed away.

I certified with PDIC, their media stuff is pretty basic. I picked up the PADI DVD on Ebay for small money and got some extra coverage and a chance to observe a lot of technique.

Oh and if you want to come up to the Kennebunk Maine area to muck around just let me know.

Pete

 

[Walter]

Pick up and read SCUBA Diving by Dennis Graver. You can get it at Amazon or Barnes & Noble. It's a good deal more complete than most texts.

 

[triciask]

Thanks this book looks great, Overstock.com has it for $15

Pick up and read SCUBA Diving by Dennis Graver. You can get it at Amazon or Barnes & Noble. It's a good deal more complete than most texts.