Need quick advice... I'm in Mexico right now...

[The ROC]

Hello All,

I'm down here right now and having a great time but I just signed up for a PADI course. It went from wanting to do a 1/2 day $99 lesson to the $299 PADI Scuba Divers cert and somehow upgraded to the $449 PADI Open Water Cert. I haven't paid my fee of $449 yet as I did not have my CC with me at the beach at the time. I've completed lessons 1,2 and 3 and done the in pool lesson. I'm scheduled to pay and do my 2 dives on the Thursday and the remaining 2 on Friday plus my final exam.

I live in Toronto and diving is not something I think about when back home becuase my wife and friends have no interest plus I have other expensive hobbies I'm already busy with but do have the desire and want to SCUBA dive when we're away on holidays and the last time I did so was a 1/2 day lesson and coral reef dive for $99 two years ago.

It's alot of money at one time but at the same time I'm trying to justify the purchase such as class lessons, material, 1 pool lesson and 4 open water dive near a reef and if weather does not permit it will take place in a cenote, so far the weather is perfect, for $449US.

I'm not trying to wiggle out of the whole course completely but my question for all you experienced, novice and beginner divers is... should I stick with the $299 PADI cert or pay the extra $150 and get my my Open Water cert because I feel in the end I will just dive while on vacation with a tour group.

Thanks for all your advices.

[vladimir]

Welcome to Scubaboard!

You will enjoy whatever diving you do a lot more if you get a complete and competent introduction to the sport. Whether the PADI open water certification course provides that is the subject of a lot of debate, but I would expect it to be better than the alternative you are considering.

Those who dive locally tend to be more involved in the sport (and this forum), but there are plenty of divers (me, for example) who only dive while on vacation and still enjoy the sport. That you anticipate diving intermittently, rather than regularly, argues for more and better training, rather than scuba-lite training.

[Eau_Girl]

Go for the OW certification. In the long run, it will pay off. You might not do loads of it immediately, but watch out and you might even be diving in Canada at some point! :shocked2:

However, if you aren't diving regularly do a fresher when you next dive. Remember with most of the agencies the OW certification is just a 'learner's permit' (see this thread http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/new-divers-those-considering-diving/313859-learners-permit.html). Continue to build your experience and skills over time at the pace that is right for you.

Have fun! Enjoy the OW course and let us know how it goes!

[Jim Baldwin]

Hello All,

I'm down here right now and having a great time but I just signed up for a PADI course. It went from wanting to do a 1/2 day $99 lesson to the $299 PADI Scuba Divers cert and somehow upgraded to the $449 PADI Open Water Cert. I haven't paid my fee of $449 yet as I did not have my CC with me at the beach at the time. I've completed lessons 1,2 and 3 and done the in pool lesson. I'm scheduled to pay and do my 2 dives on the Thursday and the remaining 2 on Friday plus my final exam.

I live in Toronto and diving is not something I think about when back home becuase my wife and friends have no interest plus I have other expensive hobbies I'm already busy with but do have the desire and want to SCUBA dive when we're away on holidays and the last time I did so was a 1/2 day lesson and coral reef dive for $99 two years ago.

It's alot of money at one time but at the same time I'm trying to justify the purchase such as class lessons, material, 1 pool lesson and 4 open water dive near a reef and if weather does not permit it will take place in a cenote, so far the weather is perfect, for $449US.

I'm not trying to wiggle out of the whole course completely but my question for all you experienced, novice and beginner divers is... should I stick with the $299 PADI cert or pay the extra $150 and get my my Open Water cert because I feel in the end I will just dive while on vacation with a tour group.

Thanks for all your advices.

Finish out the OW certification. Once you're gone it's good for life. Yes of course refresh if you have not been in a while but your basic certification is over with and as time and money allow you can dive and buy any gear you need.

Diving is cold water is certainly different than warm Mexican waters and what you see is completely different as well.

Finish out the course you won't regret it.

[dkktsunami]

You should finish your certification because it is a personal accomplishment and perhaps the diving bug will bite you like it has most of us. Scuba is pursuit that will stay with you for ever. One word of warning, however, diving is an activity that highlights personal responsibility and assessment of one's self. You are asking people that don't know you, or your financial situation, to help you make a decision that should not be a "team effort". This is your decision.

[CLEAR BLUE]

I agree....go with the OW cert. The more knowledge the better. I have a feeling you'll be looking into your local dving at home.

[CamG]

Greetings The Roc and welcome to Scuba board it is awesome to hear of your introduction into diving. As others have stated your involvement level with diving is up to you. The Open Water certification does have advantages and more training. The 18 basic skills that they encompass are meant to be the building blocks of a safe diver.
I would recommend the OW certification but that is entirely up to you.
What I really want to encourage is to check out the diving scene back in Canada.
I have met some awesome country men and women this past dive season! By all means it would be worth your time to check out what dive clubs and local dive shops are in your area. It is cold water diving but I have found it to be awesome as well.
Over all have fun and enjoy your vacation, you can bring diving home with you.
I found diving soon took over my interest and other $$$$ hobbies. We will see......
Keep us posted on your progress.
CamG Keep diving....keep training....keep learning!

[spectrum]

Go with the full Open Water Diver certification.

The Scuba Diver cert stops short of what will want going forward and you have momentum on your side right now.

Pete

[The ROC]

WOW! Thank you all for your fast responces.

Your advice was no different from the reasoning from my PADI instructor.

Going to do the OW cert and yes... I may surprise myself and do a local dive in between vacations.

Cheers all.

[RJP]

WOW! Thank you all for your fast responces.

Your advice was no different from the reasoning from my PADI instructor.

Going to do the OW cert and yes... I may surprise myself and do a local dive in between vacations.

Cheers all.

When I first got certified it was for a Hawaii trip and I too thought I would be a "vacation only" diver but when I discovered the local diving here in NJ that all changed.

You've got some great North American "mainland" diving very nearby in the St Lawrence Seaway - be sure to look into it when you get back from Mexico!

[gypsyjim]

Glad to hear you chose to complete the OW certification. You won't regret it.

A diver, even a vacation diver is much better off (that means safer), even diving on "guided" vacation dives, when he or she has more fully trained. A diver needs to be responsible for their own safety, instead of relying on a DM to keep them out of trouble, and you are taking the correct first step toward that end with the OW!

[Kingpatzer]

Get the full cert.

And think about diving when you get home. There's some great diving in and around them lakes! I live in MN, and I understand not considering local diving in northern in-land climes, but the reality is that with the right gear diving here can be fantastic.

And after a few more classes, the next time you're in the tropics you can hand them an ice diver card when they ask to see your certification. The looks you get are worth it all by themselves :)

[grf88]

Plenty of great diving within easy driving distance of Toronto. My introduction to diving was in Cozumel 30 years ago, little different how they did it back then, and I thought I would only be diving while on vacation down south. I was wrong.:D
Plenty of clubs in the Toronto area and if you want to find out more please PM me.
In my opinion you made the right choice to go with the OW.

One word of caution, diving in the Great Lakes is highly addictive.

[CoyKoi]

The ROC,

When I got my OW certification 7 yrs ago I was afraid of the water and couldn't swim (unless you count dog padding as swimming). I wasn't sure I would like it. I didn't live near warm Caribbean waters and wasn't sure how often I would be able to get there.

Fast forward seven years: I'm a scuba instructor and active cave diver, no longer afraid of the water, and can now propel myself through the water by means other than the dog paddle. And, in case you haven't guessed, I am crazy about the sport.

I hope you find as much enjoyment in diving as I do. Congratulations on your decision to get your OW C-card. Dive safe!

[diver 85]

What's a "$299 PADI cert" ???...vs the $449 model???......

[Slonda828]

What's a "$299 PADI cert" ???...vs the $449 model???......

One is the PADI scuba diver course, the other is the OW course. The scuba diver course only certifies you to dive while under direct supervision at all times. It is the rock climbing equivalent of only being allowed to top rope while the OW is like being able to climb lead.

[diver 85]

One is the PADI scuba diver course, the other is the OW course. The scuba diver course only certifies you to dive while under direct supervision at all times. It is the rock climbing equivalent of only being allowed to top rope while the OW is like being able to climb lead.


Thanks-since I know NOTHING about mountains- I'll take your word.....Sounds like another way of ripping people off....To the OP, get your OW cert, otherwise you'll always be disappointed......

[Slonda828]

Thanks-since I know NOTHING about mountains- I'll take your word.....Sounds like another way of ripping people off....To the OP, get your OW cert, otherwise you'll always be disappointed......

I would concur. It is pretty much the most "wham, bam, thank you ma'am" way possible of getting remotely certified without having to be responsible for your own safety or anything of any real consequence (this is all my opinion of course). As for climbing, if you ever get the hankering, come on up Jacksonville and we'll go ;) It's a wicked rush.

[boulderjohn]

The Scuba Diver certification is very rarely given for the reasons people give, but there are some times it is appropriate. We once gave it, for example, to a high functioning autistic student who we felt had the skills to dive safely, but we felt he should always have a professional with him. We talked about it with his mother, and she agreed.

It is also sometimes given in resort areas to people who don't have the time to commit to the full program, are happy to dive within the limitations for the duration of the vacation, and then plan to finish off at home.

I agree with everyone else that in this case you should finish it up.

[GrandpaScuba]

At this point you should get the OW cert. You will have paid quite a bit more than you probably would have at a scuba shop at home. But, would you have really done it at home? And at home you'd be doing your open water dives in 50F/10C water instead of 80F/27C water. It's worth it to do it in warm water. (Take it from me, I teach scuba in 10C water.)

[mksmith713]

Confused...........what's a scuba diver cert?
Perhaps what they're trying to sell you is a OW and AOW cert all rolled into one?
For the $$$ amount you mentioned, that makes a little more sense.

I've never heard of a scuba diver and OW cert. I thought they were the same.

[Slonda828]

Confused...........what's a scuba diver cert?
Perhaps what they're trying to sell you is a OW and AOW cert all rolled into one?
For the $$$ amount you mentioned, that makes a little more sense.

I've never heard of a scuba diver and OW cert. I thought they were the same.

I explained it pretty succinctly about 6 posts ago.

[boulderjohn]

Confused...........what's a scuba diver cert?
Perhaps what they're trying to sell you is a OW and AOW cert all rolled into one?
For the $$$ amount you mentioned, that makes a little more sense.

I've never heard of a scuba diver and OW cert. I thought they were the same.

The Scuba Diver and Open Water courses use the same materials, but the Scuba Diver course is completed when you are only part way through the OW course.

[Eau_Girl]

Going to do the OW cert and yes... I may surprise myself and do a local dive in between vacations.



YEAH!!!! You won't be disappointed. Tell us how you like those first dives!

:bounce2::bounce4::bounce::bounce3::bounce2: :bounce3: :bounce4::bounce::bounce:

[The ROC]

Confused...........what's a scuba diver cert?
Perhaps what they're trying to sell you is a OW and AOW cert all rolled into one?
For the $$$ amount you mentioned, that makes a little more sense.

I've never heard of a scuba diver and OW cert. I thought they were the same.

Scuba diver cert with PADI is just Chapters 1, 2 & 3 with one in-pool lesson and 2 open water dives near a reef. The OW cert will finish off with chapters 4 & 5, two more open water dives and a final exam. :depressed: An exam while on vacation is :(.

[k ellis]

WOW! Thank you all for your fast responces.

Your advice was no different from the reasoning from my PADI instructor.

Going to do the OW cert and yes... I may surprise myself and do a local dive in between vacations.

Cheers all.

If you are like most divers its not a matter of if I will do a local dive but more so when I do a local dive. Funny thing is most dedicated divers even when traveling look at a lake and the first thing we think of is how deep and what kind of visibility.

The open water cert is a great investment as it allows you to get away from the babysitting mode which resort courses and so forth do. Like having to swim directly with a divemaster and limited to only this depth and so forth.

I was just going to get an open water cert but then I was hooked and went for the master diver as a matter of self prestiege. Diving is like the old potatoe chip commercial and trully once you start its hard to stop :)

I hope this helps :)

[k ellis]

Confused...........what's a scuba diver cert?
Perhaps what they're trying to sell you is a OW and AOW cert all rolled into one?
For the $$$ amount you mentioned, that makes a little more sense.

I've never heard of a scuba diver and OW cert. I thought they were the same.

A scuba cert from what I have been explained is like a resort course indefinately. You can only dive to I think but not 100 percent 45 feet deep and must be accompanied by a dive master or higher level cert.

[k ellis]

The ROC,

When I got my OW certification 7 yrs ago I was afraid of the water and couldn't swim (unless you count dog padding as swimming). I wasn't sure I would like it. I didn't live near warm Caribbean waters and wasn't sure how often I would be able to get there.

Fast forward seven years: I'm a scuba instructor and active cave diver, no longer afraid of the water, and can now propel myself through the water by means other than the dog paddle. And, in case you haven't guessed, I am crazy about the sport.

I hope you find as much enjoyment in diving as I do. Congratulations on your decision to get your OW C-card. Dive safe!

You know this may sound odd but you sound like where I came from. I too was scared of swimming when I started and couldnt swim a stroke. Now I can move fairly easy through the water and am enjoying swimming more then I ever felt possible. :)

[rodman4085]

Just curious, I did my pool and school work in Wisconsin in Jan 2008, then found a great little dive op in Cancun to finish my OW referrals.....went back in Feb 2009, and am going again in Feb 2010.....gotta doff my cap to Nautilus Divers, Scuba Freds at the Cancun Clipper Club.....! Octavio, Fred, Clemente, Marin.....I am looking forward to diving with you again in a couple of months!:cool2::coffee:

[mksmith713]

Shows you how much I know.
I did my entire OW course with all dives and written exams in 3 1/2 days at a resort type place.Did about 30 dives over the next 6 months, went back to the same resort, did my AOW in 3 days.
Did another 30 or so dives, then did Rescue at home in 6 weeks.
Would have rather done Rescue at the resort.

[Brian Sharpe]

Here's another vote for doing the OW program.

When I took my OW course I (mistakenly) thought that I had to go somewhere warm & sunny to go diving. There's tons of great diving in Eastern Ontario, maybe none of your current social circle dives but I doubt you'll have trouble finding buddies to dive with - who knows maybe some of your current friends and your wife may show some interest.

If you're heading up to Ottawa some time PM me - I'll be diving as long as the ice hasn't set in.

[The ROC]

Well.... All done and passed my exams and I really mean passed my exam with no cheating even thought I was sick to my stomach from seasickness, I had a total of 5 incorrect answers out of the tests on modules 1, 2, 3, 4 and the final 50+ question exam. Now I wait for my OW C card to arrive in the mail.

4 OW dives in two days was great but to be honest the 4th dive was too much for me and was seasick from all the boat rides to the dive site. It's two days later and as I type this I still feel like I'm still underwater drifting side to side or on the boat.... Oooooooo... not feeling well at the moment... guess I won't make it as a NAVY SEAL. LOL!

Now we're planning our next Mexico trip in Feb 2010. YES!

[Eau_Girl]

The ROC,

CONGRATS!! It will get easier -- the boat, the dives, etc. Glad to hear you have a follow up trip booked so soon!

Happy Diving!

[boulderjohn]

Now we're planning our next Mexico trip in Feb 2010. YES!

Congratulations!

Mexico is a big country. Where is it you did your diving and where are you going in January?