pro99line
Contributor
Hello. Before anyone gets upset I entered SDI in the search but it did not come up with any results. I am wanting to start my lessons and have two options here where I live. I have a sho that teaches PADI and one that teaches SDI. I have never heard of SDI and was wondering about it. I am trying to decide on which shop to choose. I will give you the breakdown of what I was told from each and tell me what you think. I am not mentioning any shop names though. I seem to be more comfortable with the information received from shop 2 but I am unsure of the SDI certification and if it is as internationally accepted as PADI. Shop 1 kinda made me feel like they want my money and thats all. My goal is to be at a level equivalent to a Master Scuba diver.
1. Padi certification. I talked to this shop and they do the open water class in 2 weeks. If I want the adavaced class then it will be another 2 weeks. Now when talking to them they seemed a little in a hurry to get you in and out. The guy was talking about how wow when we do the 4th open water dive in the open water class we could combine the boat and navaigation courses that would be needed for the advanced class and then the 3 other required we would try to combine in 1 or 2 other dives. Also I asked about equipment and they are only willing to let me try the mask and fins in the pool before buying but nothing else. He said they would suggest the best equipment for me but it can not be returned once I use it. I am not very happy that I have to trust someones opinion because there likes may not match mine. The open water cert dives will be 3 in the vortex springs and 1 wherever the class determines and depending on weather. Open water 275 + books. Advanced 200 + books.
2. SDI certification. I talked to this shop and they do a Gulf Certified Diver package which consist of 10 dives and it is a total of a 8 week class meeting one time a week or I can work at whatever pace I am confortable. This place seemed very willing to talk on the phone and explain everythign to me. He stated I can try all the equipment in the pool before buying so I can make sure I am happy with it before buying it. Also he stated as long as the equipment has only been used in the pool during the first parts of the class I can trade it for other equipment if I determine that I do not like it. This does not apply once it has been used outside the pool. The cert dives are done from shore and boat preferably the man mentioned but can be however the class wants them. He did mention a few might be in the vortex springs if weather is bad in the Gulf. Gulf Certified Diver Package 799.00 + books.
1. Padi certification. I talked to this shop and they do the open water class in 2 weeks. If I want the adavaced class then it will be another 2 weeks. Now when talking to them they seemed a little in a hurry to get you in and out. The guy was talking about how wow when we do the 4th open water dive in the open water class we could combine the boat and navaigation courses that would be needed for the advanced class and then the 3 other required we would try to combine in 1 or 2 other dives. Also I asked about equipment and they are only willing to let me try the mask and fins in the pool before buying but nothing else. He said they would suggest the best equipment for me but it can not be returned once I use it. I am not very happy that I have to trust someones opinion because there likes may not match mine. The open water cert dives will be 3 in the vortex springs and 1 wherever the class determines and depending on weather. Open water 275 + books. Advanced 200 + books.
2. SDI certification. I talked to this shop and they do a Gulf Certified Diver package which consist of 10 dives and it is a total of a 8 week class meeting one time a week or I can work at whatever pace I am confortable. This place seemed very willing to talk on the phone and explain everythign to me. He stated I can try all the equipment in the pool before buying so I can make sure I am happy with it before buying it. Also he stated as long as the equipment has only been used in the pool during the first parts of the class I can trade it for other equipment if I determine that I do not like it. This does not apply once it has been used outside the pool. The cert dives are done from shore and boat preferably the man mentioned but can be however the class wants them. He did mention a few might be in the vortex springs if weather is bad in the Gulf. Gulf Certified Diver Package 799.00 + books.
