AquaSports/Dive Pro Natick MA-- Can it be trusted?

[scubabrah]

Hello,

My cousin is new to diving and considering "Dive-Pro" certification as it is right down the street. I've never heard of the company. Can they be trusted? Anybody certified through them? Experiences? Will resorts/liveaboard/dive shops accept their certification? Thanks for the help in advance, website is attached...

SCUBA Diving, Lifeguard, WSI, CPR certification courses

 

[chrpai]

I'm not familiar with this company, but the way I read it "Dive Pro" is just the name of their company doing the training. ( Think LLC / Umbrella Company type relationship. ) It's not the certification agency. Their website indicates their instructors are affiliated with PADI, YMCA, PDIC and CMAS. As long as the instructors are good and you are challenged to learn, your coustin should be fine.

 

[Thalassamania]

It appears to me that Dive-Pro is a reasonably new certification start-up. I have no problem with that, but I am troubled by what appears to me to be a lack of clarity in their use of other agency names and course titles.

 

[t-mac]

Never heard of them. Not even listed on Wikipedia. A number of agencies belong to WRSTC and share common basic standards. There are other good ones too obviously For me I'd probably stick to the mainstream to ensure acceptance of the c card. These folks may be legit but they aren't very visible.

 

[chrpai]

I really don't think they are an agency. I think they are just aligned with more then one agency and they aren't plastering the names on their courses because you probably pick the agency and the instructor when you sign up.

From their FAQ page:

How long will it take to receive my permanent certification card?

Depending on the type of course and the certifying agency, it may take up to 30 days to recieve your permanent certification card.

 

[t-mac]

I'm not familiar with this company, but the way I read it "Dive Pro" is just the name of their company doing the training. ( Think LLC / Umbrella Company type relationship. ) It's not the certification agency. Their website indicates their instructors are affiliated with PADI, YMCA, PDIC and CMAS. As long as the instructors are good and you are challenged to learn, your coustin should be fine.

Just looked at the website and it does look like the instructors represent various agencies and so it may be that the certification will depend on the instructor's affiliation. Your friend should clarify under which agency they would be certified if that is the case. The website is not at all clear what is the actual certification and I would be cautious is they are offering their own certification, rather than one of the mainstream ones that the instructors appear qualified to teach.

 

[Hawkwood]

Actually, under Aqua Sports Inc., all I see are NAUI, YMCA (which is way out of date), PDIC, and CMAS.

They seem to have "training categories": Medi-Pro; Dive-Pro; and, Lifeguard-Pro

So, "Dive-Pro" is not a "certification agency", rather a marketing tool of Aqua Sports Inc. From their very confusing website it appears that you will receive certification under whatever certifying agency the instructor happens to be with.

 

[Thalassamania]

They describe themselves as:

AQUA SPORTS, INC. is an "Elite SCUBA Diving & Rescue Training Institute." It comprises a highly qualified team of professional instructors offering:
(1.) SCUBA Diving certification courses for all levels from beginner to professional
(2.) CPR, First Aid, Automatic External Defibrillator (AED), and Oxygen certification courses
(3.) Lifeguard certification courses, and Swim Coach Safety Training certification courses

When you click (1) you get:

DIVE-PRO​

DIVE-PRO is a specialized training division of Aqua Sports, Inc. offering:
(1.) SCUBA diving certification courses from beginner to professional,
(2.) Daily SCUBA diving excursions in Florida (4-6 hour trips),
(3.) Daily SCUBA diving excursions in New England (4-6 hour trips), and
(4.) World SCUBA diving expeditions (3-21 day trips).
The Dive-Pro division of Aqua Sports, Inc. has been called "One of the Best SCUBA Training Operations in the Country."

Our elite training staff includes: marine biologist, underwater archeologist, shark expert, award-winning and published underwater photographers, military divers, international researchers, professional rescuers, master scuba diving trainers, and experienced educators.

Aqua Sports, Inc. has been featured by Sport Diver Magazine, SCUBA Diving Magazine, SCUBA Board, SCUBA News, Diving In Depth, ESPN Radio, Best Damn Sports Show Period, Hard Rock Resort & Casino, Marriott Hotels, Trump International Hotel, Orlando Style Magazine, Boca Raton Magazine, Broward News, and many more.

Aqua Sports, Inc. has trained SCUBA divers and rescuers from the U.S. Military, U.S. Government, World Health Organization, Environmental Protection Agency, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruise Lines, International Research Organizations, Scientific Agencies, Universities, Colleges, Professional Rescue Agencies, and more.
We take pride in making you the best diver you can be.

We believe that your SCUBA diving and rescue training is your foundation for safety and fun. We care about your safety, and pledge to maximize your fun.

Learn from the best. Experience the Aqua Sports, Inc. difference, and benefit for a lifetime.

Certification Courses
SCUBA Diving
​

OPEN WATER DIVER - SCUBA DIVING CERTIFICATION COURSE: This is the most popular SCUBA diving certification course in the world. This course is designed for individuals seeking a SCUBA diving certification. This certification course consists of three parts: (1.) Open Water Diver - Classroom, (2.) Open Water Diver - Pool, and (3.) Open Water Diver - Open Water Dives. Students may enroll in any combination of the three parts to incrementally work toward completing the entire course:
Open Water Diver - Classroom Only
Open Water Diver - Pool Only
Open Water Diver - Open Water Dives Only
Open Water Diver - Classroom & Pool
Open Water Diver - Classroom, Pool & Open Water Dives
OPEN WATER DIVER - CLASSROOM ONLY REFERRAL: This SCUBA diving course is designed for students who wish to complete the "Open Water Diver - Classroom Only" portion of the Open Water Diver course, and then receive an Open Water Diver Referral (Classroom Only), which will enable the student to complete the remaining two water-based parts (Pool and Open Water Dives) of the Open Water Diver certification course with another instructor, while on vacation in a tropical destination. Because the student has completed the lengthy classroom work prior to vacation, this course enables the student to quickly and conveniently complete an Open Water Diver certification while on vacation by participating in pool lessons and open water dives with an instructor.
Open Water Diver - Classroom Only
OPEN WATER DIVER - CLASSROOM & POOL REFERRAL: This SCUBA diving course is designed for students who wish to complete the "Open Water Diver - Classroom & Pool" portions of the Open Water Diver course, and then receive an Open Water Diver Referral (Classroom & Pool), which will enable the student to complete the remaining ocean part (Open Water Dives) of the Open Water Diver certification course with another instructor, while on vacation in a tropical destination. Because the student has completed the lengthy classroom and pool work prior to vacation, this course enables the student to quickly and conveniently complete an Open Water Diver certification while on vacation by simply diving in the ocean with an instructor.
Open Water Diver - Classroom & Pool
ADVANCED OPEN WATER DIVER: This SCUBA diving certification course is designed for Open Water Diver certified individuals seeking to enhance their skill, safety, and diving experience. The certification course consists of two parts:
Advanced Open Water Diver - Classroom & Pool
Advanced Open Water - Open Water Dives
RESCUE DIVER: This SCUBA diving certification course is designed for Advanced Open Water Diver certified individuals seeking to enhance their rescue, safety and accident management skills, safety, and diving experience. This certification course consists of two parts:
Rescue Diver - Classroom & Pool
Rescue Diver - Open Water Dives
MASTER SCUBA DIVER: This SCUBA diving certification course is designed for Rescue Diver certified individuals seeking to obtain the highest level recreational SCUBA diving certification. This certification course consists of two parts:
Master SCUBA Diver - Classroom & Pool
Master SCUBA Diver - Open Water Dives
DIVE MASTER: This SCUBA diving certification course is designed for Rescue Diver certified individuals seeking to become professional divers capable of escorting certified divers on dive trips. This certification course consists of two parts:
Dive Master - Classroom & Pool
Dive Master - Open Water Dives
ASSISTANT SCUBA DIVING INSTRUCTOR: This SCUBA diving certification course is designed for Dive Master certified individuals seeking to become an Assistant SCUBA Diving Instructor, which is a prerequisite to becoming a SCUBA diving instructor. This certification course consists of two parts:
Assistant SCUBA Instructor - Classroom & Pool
Assistant SCUBA Instructor - Open Water Dives
SPECIALTY DIVER: This SCUBA diving certification course is designed for Open Water Diver or higher certified individuals seeking to enhance their skill, safety, and diving experience in one particular area (i.e., Search & Recovery Diving, Deep Diving, Night Diving, Ship Wreck Diving, Drift Diving, Navigation Diving, etc.). This certification course consists of two parts:
Specialty Diver - Classroom & Pool
Specialty Diver - Open Water Dives
PEAK PERFORMANCE BUOYANCY DIVER: This SCUBA diving certification course is designed for Open Water Diver or higher certified individuals seeking to enhance their skill and buoyancy control. Students may participate in either one or both of the following course options:
Peak Performance Buoyancy Diver - Classroom & Pool
Peak Performance Buoyancy Diver - Open Water Dives

...

Now the thing to note here is that Peak Performance Buoyancy in a PADI program, whilst PADI Master Diver (as described above) is clearly not a PADI program.

Call: New England Customer Service:
Dive-Pro: 617-283-0269

and let us know what you find out.

 

[CT Sean]

You might want to search google for Aqua Sports Inc and see what it has to say. I see no listing for this place on Naui.org nor Padi.com for both (or is it neither) MA and RI.

 

[t-mac]

It looks like this shop provides training for a variety of sports and they are trying to brand themselves. I would be surprised if they are indeed issuing their own certifications, even though the site seems to suggest they are. Whoever is considering this should be very clear on the name on the c card and be very cautious if indeed.