recommendations...

[reefseal]

I am looking to get my OW certification. Does anyone have any recommendations for instructors good or bad they could share? Southern NH preferably. (Sorry about that missing info)PM's are probably the best, as I don't want to start a controversy.

TIA
Ehawk

I'm in S. NH. You're options are: Aquatic Escapes (Londonderry), Aquatic Specialties (Merrimack), Divers Den (Manchester) . I know there is a shop in Hudson but I don't know anything about them.

I got my AOW w/ Aquatic specialties and getting my Adv. nitrox/deco w/ Aquatic Specialties. I know one other person on this board TimK that recently had a bad experience w/ Divers Den.

IMHO..

For getting an OW cert, you need to look more than capabilities of instruction. Look at facilities (e.g. pools), someone you feel you will want to do your business with.. My initial experience with Aquatic Specialties was they weren't looking to give me any deals on gear. Aquatic Escapes has been more than willing to get my business.I have done about about 75% of my dive spend with Aquatic Escapes. (last count, I spent about over $8K there!)

I feel aquatic specialties tends to cater to those that are occasional diver. (go down to bahamas once in a while) They seem to push diving in lakes which is pretty boring. Their charters are very risk adverse, beginner levels) I would want my young kids to get their certs there. They are competent, attentative. I belive Aquatic Escapes instructors have more experience (former commercial divers) One benefit of Aquatic specialties is they have a heated indoor pool. Aquatic Escapes has an outdoor heated pool.

As I'm getting my adv Nitrox/Deco class now, the instructor really drills you to make sure you know your stuff. He takes a socratic approach vs. memorizing formulas.

When I started back diving, i thought would never want nitrox, go tech route..
If you feel you want to do more challenging dives in future (e.g. deeper new england wrecks, springs/caverns, etc,.) I would go with guys in Londonderry.

 

[Boston Diver Services]

I second the vote for Atlantic Aquasports. Don Stevens, the owner, is a real gentleman and he knows his stuff. Also a big bonus is that he has a pool at the shop. I don't know which side of S. NH you are on. but on the seacoast Atlantic Aquasports can not be beat. Capt Pat

 

[krustykrab]

Depending on where you are / how southern... I've been using Discover Diving in Atkinson, NH for a while and Jeff and Deb are top notch people. I had a friend get his OW there and he was very impressed with the training. Shop is well stocked as well - might be worth a look!

 

[reefseal]

I forgot about Atlantic aquasport in Rye NH. Don Stevens certified my aunt back in late 70s. For me, it's out of way to get to Rye from S. NH. He does have an in door Salt water pool which is best for simulating actual diving in ocean (weight)

There is also Jay in Portsmouth Scuba. Nice shop, well stocked though not sure about how he does certs.

 

[TimK]

My pick of the litter would be Aquatic Escapes in Londonderry, NH. The have a great shop that is fully stocked, good prices (match the internet), Ed King is fair and won't try to sell you something you don't need and trust me, you will end up buying equipment! I plan to do my AOW and Nitrox there this summer. As Reefseal said, I did have a bad experiance with Divers Den in Manchester getting my OW certification and personnally would not recommend them to anyone.