A little training one-on-one... where do I look?

[orch1ds]

Hello,

I have AOW cert but I am having some problems sometimes with my descents and ascents. Its always a big deal and I'm wondering if I should get some extra training one-on-one. Where can I look for such help and how much should I expect to pay?

Thanks!

[Scubakevdm]

I usualy charge $100.00 per two dive trip for one on one instruction. I'm in Florida though, I don't know how prices are in Cali.

[Maui Bound]

Have you looked into Peak Performance Buoyance course?

[alcina]

Talk to a dive centre in the location you'd like to dive in. Virtually every instructor/shop will be able to offer one-on-one instruction.

Prices will vary wildly depending on location and what is included/involved.

Make sure to really talk to your instructor so you can tailor the session/sessions to meet your needs and maximize the value.

[jupitermermaid]

Hello,

I have AOW cert but I am having some problems sometimes with my descents and ascents. Its always a big deal and I'm wondering if I should get some extra training one-on-one. Where can I look for such help and how much should I expect to pay?

Thanks!

What specific problems are you experiencing in your descents and ascents? Some things just need extra practice, others can be rectified by diving with more experienced divers who are willing to help you, and some you may actually need more training for. Knowing what problems you have could help in determining where the best place to look for help lies.

[TSandM]

Sometimes, if there are some small, specific things, a couple of dives with a mentor may be enough. The SoCal forum might be a good place to describe your issues, and see if there is someone who is interested in doing a couple of dives with you to help you sort them out. I got most of my early improvement from diving with a mentor (and I had those same issues).

[fisheater]

How about joining a local dive club? Typically, you'll find helpful, very experienced divers (some actually certed as instructors) who will help you. If you want, you could buy them a beer afterwards.

[jpx8diver]

Hello,

I have AOW cert but I am having some problems sometimes with my descents and ascents. Its always a big deal and I'm wondering if I should get some extra training one-on-one. Where can I look for such help and how much should I expect to pay?

Thanks!

Your best bet is to join a local dive club. There will certainly more experienced divers there who will be more than willing to help you out. Bouyancy, tech help, or just helping you get more comfortable in the water. In your case, with ascents and descents, that will improve in time.

Your local dive shop will be able to help you find a dive club close to you. Also, try diving with someone with more experience than you whenever you dive.

Good Luck.

[TSandM]

orch1ds, one thing you could do as well is describe the particular issues you are having with your ascents and descents here, and see if you can get some tips. I got some VERY good tips on ascents here when I was a new diver. If we know what the specific issues are, sometimes we can make some good suggestions.

[Peter Guy]

Many years ago I got some very good advice from my college ski instructor -- "Go ski and when you reach a plateau or have some trouble, go take a lesson, get it fixed and then go ski some more." I firmly believe this is also true for Scuba.

Unfortunately too many people think they can only take a class to deal with an issue. (Maybe that's because there are so many "specialty" classes.)

About year ago I was very fortunate to hook up with an instructor who we (there were three of us) hired for a weekend of diving. He very quickly identified significant issues for all of us and then helped each of us work on those issues. Just as with my skiing, my diving skills improved significantly. (Full disclosure, we liked what he did so much we rescheduled for another weekend and then another over a several month period -- and even though it had not started out as a class, by the end of the 3rd weekend he decided that he had taught us a complete class and "gave" us the cards.)

Sometimes you NEED an instructor (a GOOD instructor) to help you over a hump. (Also full disclosure, the mentor TSandM referred to was (and is) a very good instructor who just happened to decide TSandM was going to be a freebie project for him.)