My boyfriend and I are currently getting our Padi Scuba Diver Certification and are considering continuing on in order to get the Padi Open Water Certification. We are avid snorkellers and thought suba diving would be a perfect next step.
We were wondering whether it is worth it to get the OW Cert. or if the Scuba Diver Cert. is good enough.
We plan to go diving mostly in the Mediterranean, Thailand, Maldives and Sharm el Sheik. One instructor told us that with the Scuba Diver Cert. we would always need our own instructor and that would cost more than diving without one, so that in the long run it would be beneficial to have the OW Cert. so we could go alone and save money. However, we feel our instructor may have been pushing the OW Cert. in order to sell us the course.
Another option is to get the SD Cert. now, and after gaining some diving experience with an instructor, going back to get the OW Cert. so that we would be more comfortable with our skills. However, if we get the OW Cert. this summer then we could always do a refresher dive whenever necessary. The difference in cost is about 150/$200 each.
Please give us some advice on which we should do and why. Thanks!
We were wondering whether it is worth it to get the OW Cert. or if the Scuba Diver Cert. is good enough.
We plan to go diving mostly in the Mediterranean, Thailand, Maldives and Sharm el Sheik. One instructor told us that with the Scuba Diver Cert. we would always need our own instructor and that would cost more than diving without one, so that in the long run it would be beneficial to have the OW Cert. so we could go alone and save money. However, we feel our instructor may have been pushing the OW Cert. in order to sell us the course.
Another option is to get the SD Cert. now, and after gaining some diving experience with an instructor, going back to get the OW Cert. so that we would be more comfortable with our skills. However, if we get the OW Cert. this summer then we could always do a refresher dive whenever necessary. The difference in cost is about 150/$200 each.
Please give us some advice on which we should do and why. Thanks!