Trying to understand PADI's Enriched Air - Nitrox certification costs

[divebrasil]

Hi all,

I am heading to my 1st liveaboard in mid April and thought this would be a good opportunity to get certified to dive Nitrox so I can take advantage of it during the LOB. I have the option of taking couse on first day on the boat for $135 + 55 (for materials), but it sounds like a lot for a theoretical-only course. I did find a LDS close to work which charges $85 for the course and sells the crew pack for $80. I asked if I could buy a used manual, borrow, etc... They said that I probably could but if the instructor thinks it's outdated he/she might not certify me. (this guy is not trying to force me to buy his material, he even said I can also buy online).

Does anybody know more about this course?
Has the material been updated a lot in recent years? Besides the manuals, what else do I need?

I did find this crew pack on Amazon for $58. Is this all I need?
http://www.amazon.com/PADI-Enriched-Diving-Crew-Pack/dp/B004287914

Thanks so much for the help here.

 

[Diver Dan 28]

I took my Nitrox course for $85 plus books. It's a very intresting course. I enjoyed getting into the math of it. Your instructor may skim most of if your using a dive computer. The book comes with three sets of tables that are nice if your computer takes a dump. The most important thing I learned was Oxy Tox, and to be sure you stay well within your ppo2. The first time I dove Nitrox I didn't feel any different than when I dove with air. However after doing multiple dives I did notice a huge diffrence in the way I felt after diving. Have fun and yes you can get a used book but make sure the pages of the reviews aren't ripped out or written in ink so you can change the answers and turn them in.

 

[oly5050user]

Hi all,

I am heading to my 1st liveaboard in mid April and thought this would be a good opportunity to get certified to dive Nitrox so I can take advantage of it during the LOB. I have the option of taking couse on first day on the boat for $135 + 55 (for materials), but it sounds like a lot for a theoretical-only course. I did find a LDS close to work which charges $85 for the course and sells the crew pack for $80. I asked if I could buy a used manual, borrow, etc... They said that I probably could but if the instructor thinks it's outdated he/she might not certify me. (this guy is not trying to force me to buy his material, he even said I can also buy online).

Does anybody know more about this course?
Has the material been updated a lot in recent years? Besides the manuals, what else do I need?

I did find this crew pack on Amazon for $58. Is this all I need?
http://www.amazon.com/PADI-Enriched-Diving-Crew-Pack/dp/B004287914

Thanks so much for the help here.

one way of doing it by purchasing learning materials , read text do knowledge reviews sit in with instructor for presentations. Presentations alone can take 2-3 hours..cost is learning materials , certification card fee, and time to pay instructor, especially being that this most likely will be on a one to one/private basis, thus reason why it is $135.+ materials.
another simple way is what we do here, which is , go online take PADI elearning enriched air and link to facility that you are doing this thru. Pay for course to PADI and complete it, print out completion form. Then come into facility at no charge and go thru short quick review exam and hands on practical for using testing mix and log procedures. Takes about 30 minutes of your time.
as to "borrowing"materials, not a good idea. Must be current material and you should own it for future reference . You should also own your own dive computer bring it to class , and know how to set it for mix that you maybe using.

 

[Damselfish]

some liveaboards include Nitrox for the rest of the week if you take the class on-board, so you might want to ask about that.

 

[divebrasil]

Thanks for the replies. I am still not clear if I could use a PDF or copy of the materials and simply pay for the course and c-card.

Any instructors here?

another simple way is what we do here, which is , go online take PADI elearning enriched air and link to facility that you are doing this thru

padi charges $240 for e-learning of this course. It's ridiculous.


Thanks

 

[Teller]

Support the shop. Buy the materials new. I'm not made of money or anything but people nickel and dime the shops and then get upset when they go out of business.

Think of it like this...spend a little more now and get more bottom time for life.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[oly5050user]

Thanks for the replies. I am still not clear if I could use a PDF or copy of the materials and simply pay for the course and c-card.

Any instructors here?


padi charges $240 for e-learning of this course. It's ridiculous.


Thanks

It is what it is..you are paying for the convience with elearning. you save a lot of time with the elearning that the instructor would have to do if you did it the traditional way via read text,do knowledge reviews then sit in on instructor led presentations. you wrote that it would be $135 + $55 materials=$195..thats cheap ..Facility I am at would charge a minimum of $200 plus materials to sit you down on nitrox class...( figure on $50 per hour for instructor so facility can actually pay instructor and show a profit) now Facility will charge $0..free when student links elearning to our facility being it takes minimal time to do this.
I agree the $240 is high, but saves you a lot of instructor led time that you do not need to pay for. it is only a one time payment and done.
Elearnining would be less than 10% of your liveaboard /airfare/tips costs and benefits last long after the trip is over.
In my area here in Westchester NY to get a plumber to show up costs $150 just for them to come out to house. Once here the clock ticks on his time and materials expenses start. Just saying that any type of service can cost $$$.

 

[Steve_C]

padi charges $240 for e-learning of this course. It's ridiculous.

So check out the SDI and SSI shops. Does not matter where you get this card, just that you have it. No reason to just look at PADI.

 

[divebrasil]

I don't mind supporting the shop, and do it all the time, but doesn't mean I will pay $80 on a book (why create more waste? consume more? Plus PADI is the one making the big bucks), if I can buy used, or even get for free.

 

[mmerriman]

No - you can't borrow or "download" a copy - you must have your own set of current materials in order to be certified.

Thanks for the replies. I am still not clear if I could use a PDF or copy of the materials and simply pay for the course and c-card.

Any instructors here?




padi charges $240 for e-learning of this course. It's ridiculous.


Thanks