too much??

[f86sabjf]

Hi Everyone

The wife and i are becoming avid snorklers and are entertaining the idea of getting PADI cert in Dominica next year and even possibly doing the nitrox class. From what I've read its a 36hr course with 2 dives to 40ft and 2 to 60ft. We have already invested in quality masks fins and snorkels from our local dive shop and are using them weekly in our freshwater springs in the area.. Any light you can shed on this idea is appreciated.

Thanks

[TSandM]

You're going to get this from others, as well, but why not get certified at home? You'll be under much less time pressure to get the job done, in case any issues are encountered in the training, and you won't be spending valuable vacation time in a high-pressure class. In addition, you'll make connections at home that may make it easier to continue diving as a regular thing. People who dive at home tend to keep diving; the dropout rate for pure travel divers is sadly very high.

[ScubaBB]

Or you can do the theory at home and the dives on holiday.

[f86sabjf]

You're going to get this from others, as well, but why not get certified at home? You'll be under much less time pressure to get the job done, in case any issues are encountered in the training, and you won't be spending valuable vacation time in a high-pressure class. In addition, you'll make connections at home that may make it easier to continue diving as a regular thing. People who dive at home tend to keep diving; the dropout rate for pure travel divers is sadly very high.

this is the big discussion we're having as i type this becuase Dominica seem to be a great dive spot

[knowone]

You're going to get this from others, as well, but why not get certified at home? You'll be under much less time pressure to get the job done, in case any issues are encountered in the training, and you won't be spending valuable vacation time in a high-pressure class. In addition, you'll make connections at home that may make it easier to continue diving as a regular thing. People who dive at home tend to keep diving; the dropout rate for pure travel divers is sadly very high.

How keen are you?
Try a dive at home

[TSandM]

Go through and read some of the reports of OW classes in the New Divers forum. It's not unusual for people to encounter issues, ranging from illness to ear trauma, to problems with specific skills. If you are set up for a 36 hour class, you have no time to deal with any of this.

It's not as though you are looking at getting trained in a cold quarry! Florida has some wonderful, comparatively warm water diving.

[PatW]

I would strongly suggest you get your Open Water certification locally. Why take the time off from your vacation in Dominica doing a scuba course? It isn't as if taking the course in an exotic locale is an advantage. The course is about learning skills and you can do that in pools and springs. It isn't as if there is any shortage of excellent dive shops with fine instructors who are local.

That way when you go to Dominica, you will already have your diving skills in place and you can spend your time..... diving.

[Incognegro]

Why not take your class and pool at home and do your check out dives when you get to Dominica

[f86sabjf]

That's why we asked


Thanks Everyone

[DivemasterDennis]

Just to make your decision a little tougher, let me acknowledge that there are a lot of advantages to getting certified locally, especially as you live in Florida as opposed to Wyoming or Idaho or somewhere else where the water is cold and not very clear. However, Dominica is a beautiful place, with terrific diving and lots of dive centers and qualified instructors. I live in Colorado as does my wife and dive buddy Debbie. I did my classroom and pool here and open water dives in Maui. Debbie did book and pool here and open water dives in Cozumel. I think you have three equally great options: 1) get certified in Florida and then have a great dive trip to Dominica; 2) do book and pool in Florida and then have a great dive trip to Dominica where your first two days of diving will be your open water training dives, followed by how ever many days of additional diving you want; or 3) get certified in Dominica, enjoying the venue for two days of classroom and pool or shallow water training, followed by 2 days of open water training dives as you noted, followed by another day or two or more of other diving. Any option sounds fabulous to me. You can't go wrong. Have a great time, and welcome to our underwater world!!
DivemasterDennis