Questions on getting scuba certified...
- Thread starter jade2122
- Start date
lifesworksataol
New member
300 for the class - 1500 for all equipment - these are regular "standard" prices - you can buy used stuff or find deals, but it still cost alot of money. you can also rent your equpiment every time you go instead, but it sucks when you do that and the air is leaking the whole time or stuff doesnt work right. britt kept doing that and the bc would stick and float her to the top.
I would suggest taking a YMCA class instead of PADI, as I've found that the weekend warrior PADI classes really don't teach you much more than just the most basic concepts, which really leaves you without a secure knowledge to traverse the depths. The YMCA program really gets you into the background, the hows and whys, of SCUBA, and teaches you about lots of things that are going on besides just the visual experience diving.
If you're looking for a place to start asking some questions, I found that there is a dive shop across from the FL mall, right on OBT by the turnpike, I think it's called like Discount Divers or something like that. They've actually got great deals on equipment, and quality name brand stuff. If nothing else, you should get your skin-diving gear there, since you'll need that stuff anyway, regardless of whether you decide to buy the rest of the gear or rent.
The skindiving gear should run you about $150 or less, depending on what you pick up. It consists of diving booties, fins, mask, snorkel (yes you should still have a snorkel), weights, weight belt, and bag.
There's also a really nice dive shop by the turnpike down in south orlando, by the beltz outlet place. There's a lot of dive shops, now that I think about it... I suggest hitting a few of those in your spare time to see what the diving thing is all about.
Good luck!!
If you're looking for a place to start asking some questions, I found that there is a dive shop across from the FL mall, right on OBT by the turnpike, I think it's called like Discount Divers or something like that. They've actually got great deals on equipment, and quality name brand stuff. If nothing else, you should get your skin-diving gear there, since you'll need that stuff anyway, regardless of whether you decide to buy the rest of the gear or rent.
The skindiving gear should run you about $150 or less, depending on what you pick up. It consists of diving booties, fins, mask, snorkel (yes you should still have a snorkel), weights, weight belt, and bag.
There's also a really nice dive shop by the turnpike down in south orlando, by the beltz outlet place. There's a lot of dive shops, now that I think about it... I suggest hitting a few of those in your spare time to see what the diving thing is all about.
Good luck!!
lifesworksataol
New member
i would only buy your gear at the divers oulet by bass pro shops - they have cheaper prices then anyone else. but josh will chim in iam sure and tell you some places.
I got certified by the lady who does the certifications for Sea World and shes awesome. She really works with you 1 on 1 and makes sure you know whats going on. She has small class if not all 1 on 1. She also works at your pace. You do the classes when you and her can get together. Not to mention once you get done and your certified she will cont. to dive with you or you can go on any of the dives shes going on. Let me know if your interested in her. I think she charges 300 or 350. I cant remember.
tricky
New member
I would agree with all of the above, particularly the part about buying your gear. It is expensive. Many pople get real excited about learning to dive, and that excitement can easily lead to purchasing a lot of gear. Make sure diving is something you really like before going overboard. If you take your time, you can find some nice used gear and get it serviced by a good shop. Or rent (from a quality shop).
There are a few real good shops around, and some of them out to sell, sell, sell (and tell wild stories). One of the best shops in the area is Kissimmee Pro Dive. Another guy I like is The Dive Station on Edgewater Drive. He takes care of the Sherriff's department, etc. and has been around it for a long time (old school). Spend some time hanging around the shop asking a lot of questions before you sign up for classes, and make decisions on how your gut feel about the shop.
Discount Divers is a great place to buy equipment, but if you get a 'relationship' going with a dive shop, you may want to support them kinda like we do our favorite LFS. I think the relationships and knowledge is worth more than cheap prices. I had a bad experience years back with the shop mentioned on OBT over a routine regulator overhaul... could have been serious!
You are on the right track- keep asking lots of questions!
There are a few real good shops around, and some of them out to sell, sell, sell (and tell wild stories). One of the best shops in the area is Kissimmee Pro Dive. Another guy I like is The Dive Station on Edgewater Drive. He takes care of the Sherriff's department, etc. and has been around it for a long time (old school). Spend some time hanging around the shop asking a lot of questions before you sign up for classes, and make decisions on how your gut feel about the shop.
Discount Divers is a great place to buy equipment, but if you get a 'relationship' going with a dive shop, you may want to support them kinda like we do our favorite LFS. I think the relationships and knowledge is worth more than cheap prices. I had a bad experience years back with the shop mentioned on OBT over a routine regulator overhaul... could have been serious!
You are on the right track- keep asking lots of questions!
Cheekymonkey
Premium Member
Well it is easy to find less than $300 a class around Orlando. I wouldn't talk down on any one agency in particular as it really depends upon the instructor teaching the class.
The local shop I would recommend for classes is The Dive Station on Edgewater Drive. Keith is an excellent instructor tell him I sent you over and he may discount you.
Gear wise I would buy fins, mask, snorkel, and wet suit. The other stuff I wouldn't bother with until you have some dives under your belt.
Give me a ring with any questions...
The local shop I would recommend for classes is The Dive Station on Edgewater Drive. Keith is an excellent instructor tell him I sent you over and he may discount you.
Gear wise I would buy fins, mask, snorkel, and wet suit. The other stuff I wouldn't bother with until you have some dives under your belt.
Give me a ring with any questions...
Brazengrrl
New member
leisurepro.com
saltysupply
In Memoriam
seminole scuba, dive shop(did mine there), scuba diversions as well....alll good shops I would recommend investing in the equipment..I purchase from leisurepro usually but didn't know bass pro shops had diving.
LoneRanger
Member
I think a one on one class is the way to go- I got certified in highschool, and did the class with a budy- we did our first pool dive at my grandparents house! our first open water dive was in the Rainbow River right behind the house!
to start get what a few others have said~ fins, mask, snorkel, weight belt. - leave the bc, reg, 1st & 2nd stage for later. when you get your mask try on a bunch of them- when you get the "right one" you will know!
good luck,
L.R.
to start get what a few others have said~ fins, mask, snorkel, weight belt. - leave the bc, reg, 1st & 2nd stage for later. when you get your mask try on a bunch of them- when you get the "right one" you will know!
good luck,
L.R.
jay24k
Active member
If you have the ability, do it near the ocean. I did mine in Venezuela and they did 10 ocean dives for my certification. No pools or anything. It's 100 times better. If you can't or don't want to drive somewhere to do it, then I'd check with the locals here who know.
I wouldn't buy gear for awhile. The only thing I'd buy is fins, mask, snorkel. You can rent everything else. If you truely find yourself doing it alot, then buy it. Most people think they are and their gear is stuck in their closet for years.
Also another note is unless things have changed, you do dives on different days. So it is feasible to drive to a really nice part of the ocean to do your dives if your instructor has that in their plan.
I wouldn't buy gear for awhile. The only thing I'd buy is fins, mask, snorkel. You can rent everything else. If you truely find yourself doing it alot, then buy it. Most people think they are and their gear is stuck in their closet for years.
Also another note is unless things have changed, you do dives on different days. So it is feasible to drive to a really nice part of the ocean to do your dives if your instructor has that in their plan.
chrismhaase
Active member
I did it in a group and got everyone together and we got an awesome deal in Jacksonville were I was living. Try to do that if you can, that way you at least will be with a bunch of friends. I went with all ScubaPro gear and also got a fantastic deal on it because of the group deal. It was priced at or below "knock off" brands.
Just a thought.
Just a thought.
