taking open water course without partner

[TSandM]

There were several people in our class who were solo.

I did it with my husband, but they never buddied the two of us up (good thing!), explaining that one needs to learn to dive with strangers.

 

[Xanthro]

Private is great because you receive more attention. I did private and my bother had a class, to us, private seemed far better.

I'd think that going solo is probably better than with someone you know, because then you only can concentrate on learning and mastering skills. No temptation to compare yourself to others in the class. No pressure in feeling rushed.

Each person learns differently, so the above may not apply to you, but not having a buddy should not stop you from diving.

 

[Xanthro]

There were several people in our class who were solo.

I did it with my husband, but they never buddied the two of us up (good thing!), explaining that one needs to learn to dive with strangers.

Shouldn't you be off packing for you Maui trip? I'm so jealous.

 

[TSandM]

I'll be packing for my Maui trip as soon as the guy who is supposed to relieve me shows up . . . grrr.

 

[Xanthro]

I'll be packing for my Maui trip as soon as the guy who is supposed to relieve me shows up . . . grrr.

I do believe that's a defense for justified homicide.

 

[ChrisA]

I'd love to take an open water certification course through a local dive shop. I can't find anybody to take the course with me. How common is it for someone to take a class without knowing anyone else? Will I be at a disadvantage? They offer private classes but I'd rather not be the only student.

Maybe half the students take the class by themselves. Maybe even most do. Even in many cases where a couple wants to die together, likely one is already certified so the other takes the class alone. It's very common.

After you finish the class be sure and get hoked up with at least one dive club and agressivly work on social networking with local divers. The number one reason why divers don't dive after class is lack of a buddy but that is alo a very easy problem to fix. Get the names an numbers of everyone in your class, join dive club(s) AND you will see scubaboard has a forum for every area. Ask there "who wants to dive with a new diver"

 

[TSandM]

Even in many cases where a couple wants to die together,

This is pretty funny, as I suspect that's what happens in a lot of cases if one tries to dive with one's SO/spouse . . .

 

[O'Malley]

My wife's not a water enthusiast...I did my OW solo...been diving nearly every weekend with folks I met during the class...even took a trip to Cozumel together for a week of diving...the three of us have sined up for our AOW and Rescue classes...go for it!

 

[H2Andy]

How common is it for someone to take a class without knowing anyone else?

very common. that's how i did it. if you're in an odd-numbered class, they'll
pair you up with a DM or the instructor.

 

[Ledznvrdead]

Took it by myself and probably meet more people to dive with in the future because of that.