HSA Buddy Training in Los Angeles/San Francisco area?

[Nami]

I'm trying to locate training in the Los Angeles/San Francisco area. First the Buddy program and hopefully in the future, HSA DM certification. Those cities would be an ideal venue since I travel there on business once in a while from Chile, and the ocean has similar conditions as at home. Next trip: Jan 28 to Feb. 8.
Anyone know whom I could contact?
Thanks!​

 

[pasley]

I or any HSA Certified Instructor can teach the buddy course. I am in the Los Angeles area. You really need 3 people to do the class with 6 being better. In the pool the work is in pairs, in the ocean we deploy in a formation of 3 divers. This is a full 3 days of training from early (0800) to late (10:00 pm is common) for 2 days with the 3rd day being ocean work. I like to add a 4th day with actual people with disabilities. I am thinking about having a class in May.

Closer to home there are instructors in Brazil and Honduras Handicap Scuba Association Will get you in touch with instructors there. There will also be a trip to Bonaire and Israel this year and you might get trained there. IF you are looking at being a DM I would say wait and just do the class once.

 

[Nami]

Pasley, thank you very much for the explanation and description of the program length. Please let me know if you are going to do a class in May since around that time I might fly up to CA again and will take the appropiate time off. I will also get in touch with HSA to find out about instructors in Brazil (although going through the training in Portuguese will be an additional challenge).

One more question: Since I am already a DM, can I still just train for the dive buddy program or does it make more sense to train as HSA DM?...is there a difference?

Gracias, Nami

 

[pasley]

You want to take the DM/Instructor course and NOT take the dive buddy course. The classes are the same lenght and you might as well do it once.