dbs129
Guest
Just wondering if someone has any experience with, or can at least offer some clarification on the following issue.
A friend of mine was recently on vacation to a Bahamas resort location (to remain nameless), at which time he participated in a resort scuba certification class. From the information I have been told, the class was a basic one hour lecture with some videos, followed by a short in pool session. This was then followed by an instructor lead open water dive to approx 20 - 30 ft. Some sort of certification card was issued to all participants at the end of the open water dive.
Surprisingly, my friend has indicated that he is going to be visiting my area this summer and would like to go diving with me, possible for some scallops. He has indicated that he would not have any problem diving anywhere based on what he learned at the resort.
Personally, I really don't think this would be a great idea based on the fact that my friend has only completed one dive in tropical waters. In addition, I am concerned with the level of certification obtained from the resort in such a short training timeframe. I am no expert in the field. However, in comparison to the amount of class time, pool time, and open water dives and skills I had to complete for the Basic Open Water Certification, this seems to be more of a Discover Scuba class with a certificate for participating.
Does such a short timeframe resort course exist that would certiy an individual to rent regulators and dive without a professional instructor?
I have completed 40 dives since my own certification and am very comfortable diving with other individuals who are equal or better skill level than myself. I have also participated in several scallop dives to 40 - 50 ft and I am comfortable with using and swimming with the catch bag.
I am sure you would understand my concern if my friend showed up with a set of regs (borrowed, bought used from an unknown, or whatever) and expected to accompany me on a dive with other dive buddies to 50 or 60 ft, let alone of getting some scallops.
As the basic rule of scuba is safety first and to dive within the limits and abilities of the least skilled individual in the dive group, I have serious doubts about his limits and abilities based on this resort course.
Do you think it would appear unfriendly if I requested this certification to be reviewed by my LDS dive instructors before arranging any diving when he visits this summer?
A friend of mine was recently on vacation to a Bahamas resort location (to remain nameless), at which time he participated in a resort scuba certification class. From the information I have been told, the class was a basic one hour lecture with some videos, followed by a short in pool session. This was then followed by an instructor lead open water dive to approx 20 - 30 ft. Some sort of certification card was issued to all participants at the end of the open water dive.
Surprisingly, my friend has indicated that he is going to be visiting my area this summer and would like to go diving with me, possible for some scallops. He has indicated that he would not have any problem diving anywhere based on what he learned at the resort.
Personally, I really don't think this would be a great idea based on the fact that my friend has only completed one dive in tropical waters. In addition, I am concerned with the level of certification obtained from the resort in such a short training timeframe. I am no expert in the field. However, in comparison to the amount of class time, pool time, and open water dives and skills I had to complete for the Basic Open Water Certification, this seems to be more of a Discover Scuba class with a certificate for participating.
Does such a short timeframe resort course exist that would certiy an individual to rent regulators and dive without a professional instructor?
I have completed 40 dives since my own certification and am very comfortable diving with other individuals who are equal or better skill level than myself. I have also participated in several scallop dives to 40 - 50 ft and I am comfortable with using and swimming with the catch bag.
I am sure you would understand my concern if my friend showed up with a set of regs (borrowed, bought used from an unknown, or whatever) and expected to accompany me on a dive with other dive buddies to 50 or 60 ft, let alone of getting some scallops.
As the basic rule of scuba is safety first and to dive within the limits and abilities of the least skilled individual in the dive group, I have serious doubts about his limits and abilities based on this resort course.
Do you think it would appear unfriendly if I requested this certification to be reviewed by my LDS dive instructors before arranging any diving when he visits this summer?
