motorref
Contributor
WOW! Talk about a rough start! As everyone here has said, it appears that you fell in with a shop whose scruples seem to be in doubt; all I can add to what everyone else has said is to ask around to find a shop and instructor that you're comfortable with - word of mouth and on-line referrals can be very helpful. I got very lucky when I did my OW in the Bahamas with Grand Bahama Scuba (Grand Bahamas Scuba - Meet Fred Riger); it's probably a little far for you, but the best advertisement I can give them is to say that I took both of my daughters there to get certified, with my (non-diving) wife's blessing!
I think it was Devon Diver (Andy) that wrote a series of articles on getting started, but I can't seem to find them. His website and contact info can be found here, as well as some of the other articles he's written: Scuba Diving Resources | How To Scuba Dive | Knowledgebase he can definitely point you in the right direction, and PI isn't too far for a week long vacation.
I would also strongly recommend reaching out to the local community, finding a dive club, etc., and hope that you give it another shot - once you find an instructor that you're comfortable with, it makes all the difference!
KevinL
I think it was Devon Diver (Andy) that wrote a series of articles on getting started, but I can't seem to find them. His website and contact info can be found here, as well as some of the other articles he's written: Scuba Diving Resources | How To Scuba Dive | Knowledgebase he can definitely point you in the right direction, and PI isn't too far for a week long vacation.
I would also strongly recommend reaching out to the local community, finding a dive club, etc., and hope that you give it another shot - once you find an instructor that you're comfortable with, it makes all the difference!
KevinL