Redo open water or take delux refresher course?

[hamelekim]

I've been looking at getting back into scuba diving, after a 12 year absence.

I've been to two shops so far in Vancouver and I've had two separate answers as to what I should do.

1. Redo entire open water program, because it's been 12 years, and the instructor likely wouldn't even do a refresher given the time span and lack of dives.

2. Second place said that they would offer a deluxe refresher course, and that the entire open water course is expensive to take over again.

So yeah, I'm now wondering what I should do. I have a total of 7 dives up to 1997, including my open water dives, and haven't dived since then.

I would rather spend the money to take open water again on scuba gear, but now I'm wondering if I should just take the course over again, get my class time and open water dives, then decides if I really want to get back into it.

If I did retake it all, could I keep my current open water card or do I need a new one? I'm fairly certain that isn't required, so retaking the open water would be a glorified refresher course, essentially.

Any instructors have some good advice?

 

[Interceptor121]

Probably the most effective way to solve your problem is to identify a good instructor that you trust, refresh the theory using either a new version of the manual or something like the PADI scuba tune up book and then book for a private scuba review session plus a guided open water dive.
It will cost you less than the course and will be tailored to your needs as opposed to go through the whole class

 

[hamelekim]

Probably the most effective way to solve your problem is to identify a good instructor that you trust, refresh the theory using either a new version of the manual or something like the PADI scuba tune up book and then book for a private scuba review session plus a guided open water dive.
It will cost you less than the course and will be tailored to your needs as opposed to go through the whole class

I don't know any instructors in Vancouver, so that limits my ability to find someone. Unless someone here knows a good instructor in the Vancouver area. PM me the name.

The Deluxe course I'm looking at includes one classroom session, one pool dive, and two ocean dives. Which sounds like what you are suggesting.

The owner of this dive shop is a PADI Course Director, I don't know if that is worth anything though.

 

[2905luvsbubbles]

7 dives is not a lot of dives and they were 12 years ago. If you are unsure if you want to keep diving, I would make that decision first. I would suggest doing the open water course again. It will cost you a couple dollars more, but will give you more pool time and more open water dives versus doing just a refresher course.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Gotta agree with 2905. The deluxe refresher does not sound like much to me for someone who's been out of the game for 12 years. And don't limit yourself to one particular agency. There are some great independent instructors in the PNW who will truly tailor an OW class for your needs and interests. The fact that you may have some of the basics may allow them to add some material and really get you on the right track. But most of all if you want to do this be sure you plan to keep on diving regularly. If not, anyone of the options would seem to be a waste of time and money.

 

[Interceptor121]

I don't know any instructors in Vancouver, so that limits my ability to find someone. Unless someone here knows a good instructor in the Vancouver area. PM me the name.

The Deluxe course I'm looking at includes one classroom session, one pool dive, and two ocean dives. Which sounds like what you are suggesting.

The owner of this dive shop is a PADI Course Director, I don't know if that is worth anything though.

Get this deluxe course if it gives you 1:1 tuition

 

[spectrum]

I'm not an instructor but let me ask a few questions...

1. How good were you? With only 7 lifetime dives were you really comfortable with diving and a natural of did you not follow through because you were not given a good foundation?

2. Why have you not been diving for 12 years?

3. Do you have diver friends that can and will act as mentors and buddies or will you be out there meeting up with insta-buddies?

If you do not have a good foundation and support system I would suggest the full course. If you were off to a good start but life circumstances short circuited diving and you have mentors waiting then a good refresher may suffice. When in doubt go take the course, your experience with the time lag is insignificant. Essential novice gear has remained largely the same in the interim.

Your old card should be perfectly valid despite your circumstances. Any instruction you procure should be based on instructor selection, not your existing affiliation. Get the training down good otherwise the gear bought with saves funds will not have a bright (or damp) future.

Pete

 

[hamelekim]

Gotta agree with 2905. The deluxe refresher does not sound like much to me for someone who's been out of the game for 12 years. And don't limit yourself to one particular agency. There are some great independent instructors in the PNW who will truly tailor an OW class for your needs and interests. The fact that you may have some of the basics may allow them to add some material and really get you on the right track. But most of all if you want to do this be sure you plan to keep on diving regularly. If not, anyone of the options would seem to be a waste of time and money.

Yeah, well I have wanted to get back into diving for a while now. I don't think would hate it, I've never actually done anything but cold water diving, with the exception of a dive in southern California, so that doesn't turn me off. I'm more worried about the fact that I don't have a diving partner and that tends to limit the amount of times you dive.

 

[hamelekim]

I'm not an instructor but let me ask a few questions...

1. How good were you? With only 7 lifetime dives were you really comfortable with diving and a natural of did you not follow through because you were not given a good foundation?

2. Why have you not been diving for 12 years?

3. Do you have diver friends that can and will act as mentors and buddies or will you be out there meeting up with insta-buddies?

If you do not have a good foundation and support system I would suggest the full course. If you were off to a good start but life circumstances short circuited diving and you have mentors waiting then a good refresher may suffice. When in doubt go take the course, your experience with the time lag is insignificant. Essential novice gear has remained largely the same in the interim.

Your old card should be perfectly valid despite your circumstances. Any instruction you procure should be based on instructor selection, not your existing affiliation. Get the training down good otherwise the gear bought with saves funds will not have a bright (or damp) future.

Pete

1. I was alright as far as I remember. After my open water I dived in California once and didn't feel uncomfortable at all.

2. I got certified when I was 15 with a friend and his dad. I didn't have the money to go on dive trips, and then university happened, and my diving friend moved away so it kind of just died off with the cost and everything.

3. I don't know anyone who dives out here, so that is a bit of an issue. But I'm hoping if I get back into it I will meet people to dive with regularly.

 

[hamelekim]

Get this deluxe course if it gives you 1:1 tuition

It's all 1 on 1 instruction. So it might be better than the full course in that regard.