Which course should I take first?

[Teamcasa]

...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).

Very expensive route but without knowing the instructor and thier mindset about training it is hard to judge. They may be very good or just taking advantage of your inexperience.

...The other center said that since I felt completely confortable during the minicourse I should take the OW course directly ($320).

This course is all you need to get certified to dive. But again, I don't know the instructor or how and what they teach.

Ask around, visit local dive sites and start asking other local divers for personal recommendations.

Post a question in the South America forum for local shop/instructor referals.

 

[TSandM]

It occurred to me, after I typed my rather dyspeptic reply above, that I was being somewhat inconsistent. As someone who believes that an OW class should be longer and more thorough, I shouldn't be telling someone to avoid a program that involves MORE dives and more experience before being set loose with an OW card.

However, I would definitely discuss with the first shop exactly WHAT they are going to do differently in the two classes. If it simply involves repeating the first class with the addition of reading tables, it is probably not worth it. If they are going to do the extra OW dives with some attention to proper weighting, buoyancy control, and good propulsion techiques, it might be worth the extra time and money.

It really always comes down to the quality of the class, and the instructor's philosophy and what he wants to impart to his students. Some instructors make a solid effort to ensure that their students come out of OW capable of doing a safe and enjoyable dive on their own; others run through the skills and sign off on the card.

 

[Robertobowhunter]

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.



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

Hi Walter, as you noticed I'm totally green on this matter so started looking for diving schools here in Ecuador and found few but only 2 in Guayaquil (the others are located in the Galapagos islands) and happened that both are PADI certified. I guess they are cause both are listed on the PADI webpage and handout PADI certifications. Should I request from them some kind of documentation to see if they are certified to give classes?

Robert

 

[Walter]

It occurred to me, after I typed my rather dyspeptic reply above, that I was being somewhat inconsistent. As someone who believes that an OW class should be longer and more thorough, I shouldn't be telling someone to avoid a program that involves MORE dives and more experience before being set loose with an OW card.

While I agree with you that the typical class is too short and I would encourage folks to take a longer, more comprehensive class than is typical, I do not believe this option will actually result in that. Basically, the SCUBA Diver certification tells the next instructor what has already been completed, so the next instructor can skip what has already been covered. The same class is broken down into two parts with no additional dives or experience.

Hi Walter, as you noticed I'm totally green on this matter so started looking for diving schools here in Ecuador and found few but only 2 in Guayaquil (the others are located in the Galapagos islands) and happened that both are PADI certified. I guess they are cause both are listed on the PADI webpage and handout PADI certifications. Should I request from them some kind of documentation to see if they are certified to give classes?

Robert

Not at all. It's just that most non-divers aren't even aware there are different agencies. They look for a class to learn to dive, they don't look "for a PADI certified center." I was just curious about why you were different.

 

[oreocookie]

However, I would definitely discuss with the first shop exactly WHAT they are going to do differently in the two classes. If it simply involves repeating the first class with the addition of reading tables, it is probably not worth it. If they are going to do the extra OW dives with some attention to proper weighting, buoyancy control, and good propulsion techiques, it might be worth the extra time and money.

I'll second this. Find out EXACTLY what each place is going to give you. The first shop might give you Scuba Diver, then the full OW course after that, meaning 8 pool sessions and 6 OW dives (somebody correct me if i'm wrong on this), but you'll be doing a lot of things twice. This could be good, but if you were comfortable before it may not be worth the extra money. Or, they may give you Scuba Diver and then the rest of the OW course to "upgrade" you to the higher certification. (My LDS doesn't offer Scuba Diver but if that's what you have, they'll let you do the whole OW course if you want (including what you've already done) for $100 less than the reg OW class). If you find out what each shop will do for you, it'll make price comparisons easier. But whatever you do, don't stop at Scuba Diver.

 

[Walter]

I'll second this. Find out EXACTLY what each place is going to give you. The first shop might give you Scuba Diver, then the full OW course after that, meaning 8 pool sessions and 6 OW dives (somebody correct me if i'm wrong on this), but you'll be doing a lot of things twice.

Or you could just find a better OW class to start with.

 

[oreocookie]

Or you could just find a better OW class to start with.

True, I only suggest that he find out exactly what he's getting at either place. If he would get getting the same thing either way, just split into two "courses" at one place, the OP will have to decide whether or not the instructor will justify the extra price. Based on the what was initially said, I understood these to be his two options and my response was based on that. If he'd be getting essentially the same product, depending on price diff, I'd probably look at the cheaper course first and the more expensive one after if I wasn't comfortable with the other instructor, but that's just me. If he can find other options for taking his OW and possibly a better course and/or a better instructor, great, but that wasn't how I read his post.

 

[boulderjohn]

Unless you seriously misunderstood them, I would not go anywhere near the first shop ever again. The only reason I can think of for anyone to get the PADI Scuba certification is if there is some reason not to get the full OW certicication. One example already cited would be with children. The only time I have ever seen it given was in the case of someone who had a handicapping condition that we all agreed called for those limitations. I really don't see any ethical reason to require it, so I question their ethics. In fact, I would be inclined to contact PADI and see how they felt about their requiring it.

The second shop is more typical of what you see in shops for any agency.

 

[CrackedConch]

Knotical said it best. Take the Open Water class, which allows you to dive unsupervised and skip the PADI Scuba Diver class, which means you must always go with a Divemaster.

Many shops sell the Open Water as an upgrade to the Scuba Diver class. If you're serious about being a diver, get the Open Water certification.