Online Nitrox Certification Course(s)

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Looking at getting my Nitrox certification. Was talking to the owner of a local dive shop; and he said they offer a course that is taught at the shop, but "most folks" prefer to take an on-line PADI course (this shop apparently is mostly PADI oriented), which costs about $189 (roughly). Anyway, found an on-line course offered by someone called Scuba Divers of America (SDA), upon satisfactory completion of which, they will send me a Nitrox certification card which is recognized "anywhere in the world". Their course costs about half the PADI course.
Question is, are they (SDA) a reliable organization, and will their cert card really be recognized "anywhere in the world"? (If I take their card into my local dive shop, will they look at it and say "sorry, not acceptable"?)

I did the SDA nitrox course and found it quite reasonable. I've never had my card refused. I don't know about their other courses, perhaps those don't meet requirements, but the nitrox course is just fine.
 
Hatul,

The problem with the SDA course is the student does not go over the key parts of the course with an instructor.

Those key elements being how to properly analyze a tank, how to set the mix on their dive computer or use the dive tables and making sure the student understands all the questions and correct answers on the on-line test.

Don't you agree that these key points are vital?
 
I don't have a problem with the online EANx classes, but still go over the tables, hand out sheets with the formulas, when they come to analyze tanks and do the work on the simulated dives. I also recommend they bring their dive computer with them so I can show them how to set their mix.
 
Hatul,

The problem with the SDA course is the student does not go over the key parts of the course with an instructor.

Those key elements being how to properly analyze a tank, how to set the mix on their dive computer or use the dive tables and making sure the student understands all the questions and correct answers on the on-line test.

Don't you agree that these key points are vital?

I can find faults in any course if I want. Just because you get a card it does not mean you stop learning. The SDA course did not teach how to set your dive computer nor how to use your O2 analyzer, but when you buy these they come with instructions, and any dive operator will help you with the use of the analyzer, especially if you stick with one of the common ones like the Analox.
 
It is a scam, not a reputable agency.

A scam would be when my wife and I have learned to do the mixing ourselves, bought 2 O2 analyzers so we could check one against the other, dive only nitrox and when we want to use nitrox in Mexico we need to pay $410 to get our "certification" of someone showing us how to blow air through an analyzer and tell us to use a different set of tables and not go below 111 feet on 32%. That would be a scam.
 
My LDS offered nitrox for $95 right after my ow class and I took it. But we never did any dives specifically accompanying the nitrox classes. I thought it was a bit much, but when considering the .50 it costs for your card I guess it is worth it.


Sent from my IPad using Tapatalk
 
I can find faults in any course if I want. Just because you get a card it does not mean you stop learning. The SDA course did not teach how to set your dive computer nor how to use your O2 analyzer, but when you buy these they come with instructions, and any dive operator will help you with the use of the analyzer, especially if you stick with one of the common ones like the Analox.
I have never taken the SDA course, so I don't know its quality. I think the ultimate problem would be when you go to get a nitrox fill from an operator who knows what SDA is and refuses to give you the fill. In that case, it doesn't matter how much you know or where you learned it.
 
If you don't trust the SDA course then look for another online course. It allows you to complete the certification on your own time, and, aside from learning how to use the O2 analyzer there are no new physical skills involved in using Nitrox, so there really is no need to attend a class at a shop or complete any dives.
 
I have a replacement card from them. Never had an issues using it and I put it out just to see. I lost my NASDS card and I am also PADI card carrier, but I use my SDA card just to see if anyone says no to it. Not one person has yet at over 15 dive shops, from the USA, Bahamas, PR, DR Virgin Islands and Tobago. I will be using it in Bonaire this winter let you know about how it works. I may even do his nitrox one just to prove the point that most dive shops talk a good game but really only want your cash.

Bottom line I lost my NASDS card and was being told no way to get a new one (fire and so on). I used his service and he helped me.
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/swift/

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