261311
Contributor
The thing that is keeping me is the disput with my credit card right now. I got charged $3000 that's not what I agreed to pay, there where extra charges and it's been a nightmere. I will name and report him however I came on here to find out what were acceptable standard for training. After posting this I found out about the charges and the guy was nowhere to be found. I stopped everything with him and was pursing a new instructor when my credit card was declined for all the charges in my card.
Im taking the actions my bank has suggested. I don't want to be made to feel stupid. I shopped around at first but I'm not farmiliar with scuba classes and pricing and I trusted this guy as I was told I should trust my instructor, I got a bad guy (I know not everyone's bad, in fact everyone has even extremely helpful and nice on this forum).
Im trying the bet I can to move forward, get my money back and report this guy to save anyone else from this headache.
Right now this is being handeled as a possiable criminal investigation with my bank, unless he says it was a mistake on his part or the credit card processing. So I need that to clear before naming him. Thanks for the feedback.
It's great to hear you're working towards a solution for yourself in not only the certification process (and HIS certification) but financial. I truly hope you get all your cash back, I couldn't imagine going through such a process.
Ear infections can Occur in the outer, middle and inner ear. I had infections in all 3. I have a doctors note stating that I saw him for a physical before my dive and I was fine. After I went diving I came back with an infection in all parts of my ear due to water build up in my ear and an inflamed eardrum. He cuncluded it had something to do with water and pressure exposure.
I know this seemed extraordinary and I can't believe it myself anymore. After researching and talking to naui, I have found he has opened shops under different names about 7 or 8 times and has a reputation for being a very "rough instructor".
So in other words, he's been sued or had close calls 7 or 8 times. I can't recall why anyone in business would have to close and reopen shops with different names for any other reason. Via the ear infection, youch. That sucks I'd mention* this to NAUI only if he persisted in telling you to come down further even with the block and you signalling it and continuing the class without you. Instructors are supposed to stay with you, make you feel comfortable and confident- while this isn't "the end of the world" on its own, it just culminates into the larger issue of poor instruction. Blocks happen to everyone and I'm sure I'm only repeating what you know that it's nothing to feel bad about. Just can't force it, I've had that lesson too by trying to free dive and hang out with my friend at the bottom while he scuba'd. Silly dumb decision given I didn't know what I was doing to myself.
@OzGriffo, a shop who's that afraid of bacteria? Honestly, do they not rent out regulators? Octos? What do they figure is on those? Even BCD inflator hoses are bound to have some DNA on them because of the oral inflation drills. As per requiring booties for a basic scuba package, that I get in cold water regions. It saves you money long term by buying you a piece of gear that will insulate you while choosing fins that will be compatible with them. If you lived in a warm climate I could see catering towards those with full foot boots and selling that sort of package.