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Message
Most affordable way to get SCUBA certified
Posted on 10/25/18 at 10:46 am
Posted on 10/25/18 at 10:46 am
Was looking at Harry’s and while it’s only $300 for the 2-week class, there’s an orientation fee and it requires you to also have your own mask, snorkel, fins and weight belt. I don’t want to cut corners with something that involves my life, but I know there’s a lot of experts on here and wondered what other options there were.
11
Posted on 10/25/18 at 10:50 am to VanRIch
Get certified at a resort somewhere like Honduras
Harry's class may be $300 but you'll pay a lot more once you factor in trip to Florida and hotels and all for the checkout dive
Harry's class may be $300 but you'll pay a lot more once you factor in trip to Florida and hotels and all for the checkout dive
Posted on 10/25/18 at 11:06 am to mylsuhat
I was looking at banarama in Roatan for my first trip. I didn’t realize their certs were good everywhere. I recently went to Cozumel and we went for the first time. We just went right off the rocks in about 30-35’ and I was absolutely blown away. I didn’t realize how different it would be than diving down while snorkeling. Being able to stay down makes it completely different. I’m hooked.
Posted on 10/25/18 at 11:10 am to VanRIch
quote:open your wallet. I havent dove since my dad stop paying for our trips.
Being able to stay down makes it completely different. I’m hooked.
Posted on 10/25/18 at 11:10 am to VanRIch
Find a resort you like that offers scuba certification.
Take the online portion of the course work prior to your vacation.
Print out the completion certificate of the online coursework.
Complete the skills portion of the certification while on vacation.
Easiest and most fun method.
Question: have you ever been scuba diving? If not, you can find a resort which offers a “Discover Scuba” option. You get some safety instruction and basic skills knowledge. You then get to dive as deep as 50’ while accompanied by a dive master. Make some dives and find out if you really want to do it.
Eta: just saw your follow up post... disregard my question.
I will add, Small Hope Bay Lodge is a great place to go for beginner divers to complete their certification.
And once you are certified and want to maximize your time underwater on your trips, check out Bonaire. You will get more incredible dives completed than you can imagine. However, I do recommend having a few dives complete prior to going to Bonaire because the dive staffs there aren’t the most nurturing for beginners.
Take the online portion of the course work prior to your vacation.
Print out the completion certificate of the online coursework.
Complete the skills portion of the certification while on vacation.
Easiest and most fun method.
Question: have you ever been scuba diving? If not, you can find a resort which offers a “Discover Scuba” option. You get some safety instruction and basic skills knowledge. You then get to dive as deep as 50’ while accompanied by a dive master. Make some dives and find out if you really want to do it.
Eta: just saw your follow up post... disregard my question.
I will add, Small Hope Bay Lodge is a great place to go for beginner divers to complete their certification.
And once you are certified and want to maximize your time underwater on your trips, check out Bonaire. You will get more incredible dives completed than you can imagine. However, I do recommend having a few dives complete prior to going to Bonaire because the dive staffs there aren’t the most nurturing for beginners.
This post was edited on 10/25/18 at 11:17 am
Posted on 10/25/18 at 11:11 am to VanRIch
quote:Best advice I can give is for you to go and meet the instructors. See if you like/trust them. Ask yourself, would you trust your significant other's life with them?
I don’t want to cut corners with something that involves my life
I know Cindy(owner of Harry's) very well. She's a fantastic diver and instructor. I don't know any of her instructors but I doubt she'd work with any bad ones.
Posted on 10/25/18 at 11:11 am to VanRIch
I worked in a dive shop for years. The cost of the course is nothing compared to what you will spend in the shop to get gear so you can get certified. You'll then take a weekend trip to the panhandle and dive in a spring, guess what? You'll be offered a deal on a wet suit, every part of the process involves you spending money in the shop on something. If you don't dive regularly, take a resort course, it's good for the trip and you're set for cheap. You can still buy your own gear if you want in smaller $$ amounts, then take the class later to get the cert if you find yourself diving more.
Posted on 10/25/18 at 11:21 am to way_south
I worked in a dive shop for years. The cost of the course is nothing compared to what you will spend in the shop to get gear so you can get certified. You'll then take a weekend trip to the panhandle and dive in a spring, guess what? You'll be offered a deal on a wet suit, every part of the process involves you spending money in the shop on something. If you don't dive regularly, take a resort course, it's good for the trip and you're set for cheap. You can still buy your own gear if you want in smaller $$ amounts, then take the class later to get the cert if you find yourself diving more.
Affordable and Diving are not synonymous, if you don't have the cheese it's a yuge waste of time and money to even start diving.
Affordable and Diving are not synonymous, if you don't have the cheese it's a yuge waste of time and money to even start diving.
Posted on 10/25/18 at 11:27 am to VanRIch
Its been a while since I have been, but I think you can complete PADI certification at certain Sandals resorts.
Posted on 10/25/18 at 11:29 am to NYCAuburn
Crystal River is accessible and cheap.
Posted on 10/25/18 at 12:01 pm to VanRIch
Dont but your own gear. If you're just a casual resort diver, use their stuff. Last thing you want to do is carry around an extra bag during travel, just to have your own fins and mask and bc....frick that
Posted on 10/25/18 at 12:34 pm to GeeOH
I just wear a dive watch and call it a day
Posted on 10/25/18 at 12:48 pm to VanRIch
There are a number of things in life where looking for the cheapest route is wise.... finding the cheapest way to be a "legal" diver is not one of those.
I've been an open water diver for more than a decade, only recreational, not commercial or even for spearfishing. I'm glad I went the route I did and got instruction from some of the best and most experienced in Baton Rouge. What a good instructor puts you through in training gives you confidence in the early stages when you are nearly 100 feet down in strong current with a few sharks around.
Those are times where panic is your mortal enemy and trusting your training and equipment is key.
You said it best, don't cut corners when it involves your life. Buy your own wet suit, mask, fins and snorkel, equipment familiarity is helpful, loosing a mask at depth because it does not fit quite right can suck.
Find a good dive buddy!!!
I've been an open water diver for more than a decade, only recreational, not commercial or even for spearfishing. I'm glad I went the route I did and got instruction from some of the best and most experienced in Baton Rouge. What a good instructor puts you through in training gives you confidence in the early stages when you are nearly 100 feet down in strong current with a few sharks around.
Those are times where panic is your mortal enemy and trusting your training and equipment is key.
You said it best, don't cut corners when it involves your life. Buy your own wet suit, mask, fins and snorkel, equipment familiarity is helpful, loosing a mask at depth because it does not fit quite right can suck.
Find a good dive buddy!!!
Posted on 10/25/18 at 12:57 pm to GeeOH
quote:
Dont but your own gear. If you're just a casual resort diver, use their stuff. Last thing you want to do is carry around an extra bag during travel, just to have your own fins and mask and bc....frick that
I have to disagree a bit. Mask fit is absolutely critical to enjoyable dives. Comfort is important, but a good seal is crucial. With a poor-fitting mask, you'll end up clearing the mask way more than you should need to. Also, clearing the mask is not totally intuitive and I've seen many inexperienced divers struggle mightily to clear.
You don't need your own BC and regulators, but find a mask that fits well. Also, remember the old saying: "There are two types of divers: those who pee in their wetsuits and those who own their wetsuits."
Posted on 10/25/18 at 1:00 pm to Dock Holiday
quote:
I'm glad I went the route I did and got instruction from some of the best and most experienced in Baton Rouge.
I went to UA for my basic certification and was stunned by how untrained some of the people were that ended up certified. I ended up with a private instructor for my Advanced and Search/Recovery certs and finally became truly competent.
Posted on 10/25/18 at 2:06 pm to VanRIch
My shop was an SDI shop.
Worked out great...online course. Did pool dives for confined water and Vortex Springs for OW. Vortex Springs and PCB wrecks for AOW. Next up is Rescue....
Diving and affordable don't go together. It's like getting your pilot's license (and that's next on my list).
Worked out great...online course. Did pool dives for confined water and Vortex Springs for OW. Vortex Springs and PCB wrecks for AOW. Next up is Rescue....
Diving and affordable don't go together. It's like getting your pilot's license (and that's next on my list).
Posted on 10/25/18 at 2:41 pm to Jester
quote:
have to disagree a bit. Mask fit is absolutely critical to enjoyable dives. Comfort is important, but a good seal is crucial. With a poor-fitting mask, you'll end up clearing the mask way more than you should need to. Also, clearing the mask is not totally intuitive and I've seen many inexperienced divers struggle mightily to clear.
You don't need your own BC and regulators, but find a mask that fits well. Also, remember the old saying: "There are two types of divers: those who pee in their wetsuits and those who own their wetsuits."
The dive nill.originate at a dive shop probably. Buy a mask there that "fits"
But whatever...stick the mask in your suitcase.
As far as the wetsuit...very few shallow water dives require it. And most novice dives are under 30 ft.
Posted on 10/25/18 at 3:30 pm to mylsuhat
quote:
Get certified at a resort somewhere like Honduras
Las Rocas Roatan
I don't even dive, but stayed right next door to Las Rocas a couple years ago. I would highly recommend. The wife and I are planning a trip back and planning to stay in one of the bungalows.
Posted on 10/25/18 at 3:38 pm to KemoSabe65
quote:
KemoSabe65
quote:
way_south
quote:
I worked in a dive shop for years. The cost of the course is nothing compared to what you will spend in the shop to get gear so you can get certified. You'll then take a weekend trip to the panhandle and dive in a spring, guess what? You'll be offered a deal on a wet suit, every part of the process involves you spending money in the shop on something. If you don't dive regularly, take a resort course, it's good for the trip and you're set for cheap. You can still buy your own gear if you want in smaller $$ amounts, then take the class later to get the cert if you find yourself diving more.
Affordable and Diving are not synonymous, if you don't have the cheese it's a yuge waste of time and money to even start diving.
I think I just found your alter.
Posted on 10/25/18 at 5:34 pm to CarRamrod
quote:.
open your wallet. I havent dove since my dad stop paying for our trips.
Son. Is that you?
Please call your mother, she’s worried sick!
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