taking open water course without partner

[bfliller]

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.

I too went alone - it was no problem and to be honest, there wasn't a lot of time for socializing during the classes anyway - save that once we get certified.

 

[almitywife]

i have done my OW, AOW, specialties and Rescue without friend or instructor hubby - no dramas and lots of fun, if fact would say i paid attention more.

if you spend your life waiting for someone to do something with you - you end up spending half your life waiting for someone to show up.

private v's group class. ask how many students per class. personally i find 4 to 6 people perfect number. enough to get to know your classmates but not too big that you feel like its a zoo. good thing about a class is that you start meeting other divers immediately.

 

[ronpriskie]

I took the my class with 3 people I never met before and took my cert dives with 4 different people. Just do it!

 

[Jim Lapenta]

You'll probably not be alone. Most times they have groups scheduled unless you specifically ask for private lessons(usually much more expensive)and you'll be paired up with someone. I happened to sign up at the same time as another student and we did our class work together fine. pool dives went well and were scheduled to do OW together. All of a sudden she couldn't get a dog sitter that weekend, the next had a wedding or funeral or something(they're about the same anyway) so I said screw it and asked to be put with someone else. Not a problem. She eventually did get certified but it took 2 trips to do it because she couldn't stay the whole weekend both times. By the time she got her OW, I was AOW w/nitrox had 28 dives in and was starting rescue diver. Don't wait for somebody else unless you plan on doing all your diving with them and if your schedules are identical.

 

[BrianS]

I took my class alone and I turned out just fine.

 

[ckjacques53198]

Thanks for all the input. I'll feel really comfortable now taking the class solo. I just have to brush up on my social skills and look for potential future dive buddies. I'm sure once I start taking the class I'll have a million questions.

 

[piikki]

I went on the course with my buddy and the rest of the course consisted of one couple, one son+dad pair and 4 single guys. Being 'pre-paired' was a bit of a hindrance - none of the boys dared to pair up with us even though after first sessions we would have liked trialing with others. "Singles' were paired by body type and our instructor did not mix and match after that (no absences either). I think it might have been good to try with a different buddy - since many left the course with no idea of a regular partner.

Ups, I see Jacques already kinda got closure, anyhoo, I agree with most about the benefits of going alone. And I am especially opposed to those who drag reluctant partners to the course just because they themselves want to go but don't dare alone.

 

[tborowski]

I joined up solo, had no problems with diving with strangers.

I took the class by myself and it was fine. They usually set the classes upi with even numbers. You will make new friends and potential dive buddies. I got to buddy up with my instructor on a couple of my dives and with other people as well. No Worries! GET WET, you won't regret it!

~t

 

[Ron Brandt]

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.

It's quite common and I think you will do better alone. You will meet people and pehaps a lasting bond.

PM ME ! I have something to offer you might be interested in.

Ron

 

[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....

Have we beaten this subject t death yet? Well just in case it' still lives....

One good reason to NOT take the class with someone else. I've seen this happen more then once mostly it is couples. They learn to dive together then sure ennough they dive together. So there you are right after cass two full on beginners who really don't know anything about diving yet are out in the ocean as buddies. If you go into the class as a single you are likely to do your first dives with a experianced buddy. Maybe someone from a dive club. You will meet other buddies and lern something from each one. I owe a lot to the experianced divers who dove with me. I would not have learned as much if I dove with someone I took the OW class with.

Ok, it's dead now, well maybe sleeping, we'll see....