Should I get Nitrox cert for Bonaire?

[galvanni]

I posted this in the wrong section accidentally so I'm posting it again here.

Should I get Nitrox cert before going to Bonaire? I don't want to be in the minority if that's what everyone is using down there - I'm going as a single diver, so I need to find buddies.

 

[DiverVince]

No, do it on Bonaire. it's a great place to get certified for nitrox & only cost $99 for the course @ Buddy Dive at Belmar. Plus, no difference in price between air & nitrox.

 

[DiveMaven]

I've seen a lot of folks diving air. I'd say if you're interested in being nitrox certified anyway, or if you're planning on doing more than 2 dives per day, go for it. Otherwise, Bonaire is easily done on air.

 

[jl_va_21]

Whether you get the cert here or there - I think you will definitely want it. Nitrox is the way to go down there.

 

[midas6t6]

When are you going to Bonaire? I'm arranging dive buddies too, I'll be there Sept 11 to 18.

 

[ptyx]

Do it:

• Larger pool of potential buddies.
• Not spending your time in a classroom on Bonaire while you could be diving.
• More bottom time.
• More diving, less naps (at least for me).
• Computer not giving you deco the moment you step in by day 3 if you dive 5 times a day (what Bonaire is for).

 

[Bubbletrubble]

If it's not too much more than the $99 DiverVince quotes, then I'd get it done beforehand.
I prefer to limit book-learnin' during vacation time.

The decision should be when to get the cert (before or during Bonaire trip) not whether you should.

 

[galvanni]

To answer some questions - I'm ready to plunk down the cash on a trip arranged by LDS for Plaza Resort Oct. 23-30. It may be cheaper but am I not going to waste time in class down there instead of having fun with the fishies?

 

[DeepSeaExplorer]

Definitely, do the Nitrox before you go. It will give you more bottom time with more safety margin. Without the restriction of only being able to dive air, it will also be easier to find buddies.

 

[gypsyjim]

I would do the nitrox course before I go. Even the newer, short course is enough to show to get nitrox tanks, although I am not thrilled by that short course.

With a nitrox cert you can dive either gas, air or nitrox, and nitrox does give you a safety margin, especially if you are going to dive a lot. Which is what Bonaire is all ab out!

As for going nitrox, because of increased buddy choice, I would not even consider that as a reason, because air and nitrox divers mix freely. You can even switch between gases, yourself, as long as you, and your computer track the %. Some days you may even have to switch over between gases, as sometimes the resorts there can run low on one gas or the other throughout the day.

With the cert you have a choice of gas to dive. Without it you have no choice.

Oh, and....ENJOY BONAIRE!