Which course should I take first?

[Robertobowhunter]

Hello there, like I said I just had my first experience diving in a mini course in San Andres and now want to get certified. After looking for a PADI certified center here in Ecuador I found two schools in Guayaquil.
One of the centers told me I should take the PADI Scuba Diver first in order to get certified down to 12 meters (cost is $392) and once this is done then should take the PADI Open Water Diver to get certified down to 18 meters ($300).
The other center said that since I felt completely confortable during the minicourse I should take the OW course directly ($320).
The first institute just require the payment and they provide all the equipment for the first course (including mask, fins, snorkel, boots), for the OW course I will have to get my own basic equipment (around $300).
The second institute besides payment requires me to get my own basic equipment (around $ 270).

What should we do?

Thanks a lot
Robert

 

[gypsyjim]

Not familiar with the PADI Scuba Diver course, just their OW and AOW. My kids and gf did PADI OW and it is a good basic starter course. Can't see why you'd need to do any course prior to OW.

 

[gypsyjim]

It sounds like at either LDS you will be spending nearly the same money on gear by the OW?

With one, you are asked do a pre OW course, then the OW, but still need to purchase equipment for just the second class, while at the other you have still need to buy some very basic equipment but do only the OW? What is your gut feeling on this?

You will be buying much of this equipment anyway for the OW, so that is probably not a factor, yet at the one operation you will be spending extra money on more training. Is the Scuba Diver course worth it? It is more training, which never hurts. The more training and experience you get under your belt the better your diving experiences will become. Sounds like it's a win win choice; either choice you make has it's benefits.

Personally, I'd go right to OW the more I think about it, but it is your choice. Have fun, get into that water and start diving!

 

[rstofer]

Either way, before you can do OW, you need to buy your own personal gear (mask, snorkel, fins, etc). The PADI Scuba Diver certification (if you can get ANYONE to accept it) is restricted to diving under the direct supervision of a professional (DM, AI, Inst). What's the point? All you are skipping is two chapters of the book 2 pool sessions and the last day of open water dives. See: Scuba Diver Open Water Diving Adventure Courses - PADI Scuba Diving Training Organization

I would cut to the chase and take the Open Water Diver course. Yes, your startup costs are higher but you'll need the personal gear sooner or later.

Richard

 

[knotical]

The PADI Scuba Diver Course is an abbreviated version (about half) of the Open Water Course. It "certifies" you to dive while under the supervision of a DiveMaster. It does not include learning the tables (Recreational Dive Planner – time/depth limits), nor does it require as many pool or open water dives. Many (most?) operations seldom conduct the Scuba Diver program. Where I work, we only issue the Scuba Diver certification occasionally - if a student gets ill or otherwise cannot complete the Open Water course, but has gotten far enough along to have earned the lesser certification.

edit: I see Richard typed faster than I did.

 

[IndySCUBA]

I took the PADI scuba diver course in Jamaica as my first certification and I wish I hadn't. It really isn't good for much, many PADI shops don't even know what it is. If I were to do it again I would go right to OW.

 

[ayeshacantrell]

I agree - if you have already done some diving then go straight for the Open Water.

The Scuba Diver cert is a really good idea for kids - at 10 and 11 yrs they have a maximum depth of 12m regardlessof weather they complete their OW so why push them through the theory and exam. Let them get in the water and have fun and learn in managable chunks- they need to be under close supervision at this age anyway - so its perfect.

The only other reasons I advise the Scuba Diver course is if the diver doesnt have the time to complete the OW or maybe gets sick and is unable to complete before they go home- atleast they get a certification for what they have done and they can then top it up when they are better or next on holiday.

 

[TSandM]

So the first place wants to charge you $692 dollars plus the cost of your equipment, to leave you with an OW certification?

I would go with the second place. Be aware that one of the marketing strategies PADI uses is to fragment training and encourage you to take a large number of individual classes, each of which is charged for. Always make sure you understand WHAT any class you are advised to take offers you, and WHY you should take it.

 

[rstofer]

The PADI Scuba Diver Course is an abbreviated version (about half) of the Open Water Course. It "certifies" you to dive while under the supervision of a DiveMaster. It does not include learning the tables (Recreational Dive Planner time/depth limits), nor does it require as many pool or open water dives. Many (most?) operations seldom conduct the Scuba Diver program. Where I work, we only issue the Scuba Diver certification occasionally - if a student gets ill or otherwise cannot complete the Open Water course, but has gotten far enough along to have earned the lesser certification.

edit: I see Richard typed faster than I did.

Long story about that: I failed typing in high school and had to repeat the course. I finally eeked out a 'C' - maybe less, my memory fades.

On one of my MANY ventures to the mess hall for KP duty in the Army, the First Sergeant noticed that I could type. I got transferred to Germany instead of Vietnam.

Typing probably saved my life. What did Social Studies every do for me?

Richard

 

[Walter]

The PADI SCUBA Diver class is merely part of the PADI OW course. Having you take both is merely a way to have you pay more money for the exact same thing.

After looking for a PADI certified center here in Ecuador I found two schools in Guayaquil.

I'm curious, why were you specifically looking for a PADI certified center?