Scuba Class/Certification

[killarsox]

After having the chance to talk to a bunch of divers on the forum about the hobby. I'm very interested in getting into Scuba Diving. I've been reading online that you can go through the extensive classes and get certified in a 2 day period.

I'm planning a trip to Florida in August, and would like to get certified down there. I'm looking for a reputable place, as I'd like to learn the safe and proper ways to dive. Does anyone have any recommendations on where to get certified?

 

[stangd1909]

Where in FL are you going to be?

 

[killarsox]

I'm going to Orlando for a few nights, then I'm not sure. It's all kind of open.

I guess any place south of Orlando would work..

 

[jnguyen4007]

Every reputable dive shops that I've visited and every instructors that I ever talked to never offered an open water certification in one weekend or two days. Any place that offer a 2 days open water certification, they advised that you seriously think twice and three time before even considering taking classes with any of those places. I have to agree with them. Scuba diving is a lot of fun, but it can also be a dangerous sport. Learn the basics and don't take shortcut. Your life and possibly your dive buddy life depends on you knowing what you're doing.

If you're talking about Advance Open Water certification, then yes, that only require classroom study and two days of diving to complete. But, I don't believe that is what you're talking about here.

 

[killarsox]

Every reputable dive shops that I've visited and every instructors that I ever talked to never offered an open water certification in one weekend or two days. Any place that offer a 2 days open water certification, they advised that you seriously think twice and three time before even considering taking classes with any of those places. I have to agree with them. Scuba diving is a lot of fun, but it can also be a dangerous sport. Learn the basics and don't take shortcut. Your life and possibly your dive buddy life depends on you knowing what you're doing.

If you're talking about Advance Open Water certification, then yes, that only require classroom study and two days of diving to complete. But, I don't believe that is what you're talking about here.

I completely agree with you, I want to learn the right way to dive.

I was thinking it over, and I feel like I'm going to have to do some serious research into getting scuba certified.

I think a goal of having my certification a year from now, would be a good goal. Nothing good comes from rushing things.

 

[mattdive26]

You could take the classes at a local dive shop and do your open water tests in FL. That's what my friend did on our trip to the USVI.

 

[jnguyen4007]

I completely agree with you, I want to learn the right way to dive.

I was thinking it over, and I feel like I'm going to have to do some serious research into getting scuba certified.

I think a goal of having my certification a year from now, would be a good goal. Nothing good comes from rushing things.

Open Water certification is not like getting an engineering certification or anything like that, so it won't take you remotely close to a year for you to get certified. You do your classroom session, homework, study the materials. After that, you do the pool session so you can practice in a much more controlled environment. The pool session is typical one weekend. Then you do your open water and that is also one weekend. Once you passed your exams and complete your open water session, you get your temporary c card. You're certified.

 

[stangd1909]

There is nothing wrong with going to a 3 day certification class.

 

[klrreef]

I got open water certified in 4days. I would think you could go to any local dive shop. Being in Florida,it shouldnt be to hard to find one.

 

[killarsox]

Open Water certification is not like getting an engineering certification or anything like that, so it won't take you remotely close to a year for you to get certified. You do your classroom session, homework, study the materials. After that, you do the pool session so you can practice in a much more controlled environment. The pool session is typical one weekend. Then you do your open water and that is also one weekend. Once you passed your exams and complete your open water session, you get your temporary c card. You're certified.

I more or less meant I hope to be have completed the class, within the next year. Not that the class was going to take a year.
Seems Like an AWESOME hobby though!

 

[billsreef]

Where in NY are you? Might be local dive shop you can go to.

 

[reefinmo]

I agree with a few people above, there is nothing inherently wrong with a 3 day certification course. I've taught open water courses like that a few times on trips. It's not for everybody though and you need a close to 1:1 student to instructor ratio to make it work. But if somebody is well prepared on the academic side (i.e. they have read the book beforehand) and they quickly get comfortable with the skills in the water, there is no reason it couldn't be done in a short time period.

 

[snorvich]

Best is to do a "referral" where you take the class part, skills in pool, and test where you are and the open water dives in warm water. That way you do not waste vacation time doing the pool, class, and test. Very common way of doing it.

 

[AHHope]

Being a diver up in Canada most people prefer to do the class and pool up here and the open water somewhere warm. I dive out in the mountain lakes every other weekend doing a training dive myself of assisting with a class as i am a dive master. The biggest advantage i find with diving locally here in a dry suit, dry gloves and hood is that when you go on vacation and wear only a wet suit you feel free and everything is so easy to operate. I was very surprised to see how much stuff you can find in cold water lakes and rivers. About an hour drive from me theres a lake that has been dammed up at 3 different levels over the last century so you can dive the old dam that is now ft to the top as well as some old building foundations, a well and all the old bridge pillings. Were even crazy enough to cut a hole in the ice and dive in December. I am 100% for local diving. The only way to get better is to practice and diving frequently is the only way to improve.