New to the diving world!

[GlassAlgae]

Hello all! I'm new to the world of diving, but have recently made the plunge and am focused on becoming certified and participating on dives. Ironically started watching scuba cave accidents, which then made the idea of OW diving seem WAY less threatening. I'm currently looking for a place near my in the PNW to maybe do some pool classes before I go OW classes for cert. Unsure if there are better routes to go and am open to recommended paths to OW. Thanks for having me here and I cant wait to learn!! Excuse me while I peruse the site now

 

[drrich2]

Welcome to Scuba Board! IIRC, @wetb4igetinthewater dives the Pacific Northwest and may be able to help.

Richard.

 

[GlassAlgae]

Welcome to Scuba Board! IIRC, @wetb4igetinthewater dives the Pacific Northwest and may be able to help.

Richard.

Ty so much! Very keen on plunging into this hobby with as much training and knowledge as possible!

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

@GlassAlgae

Not sure if you are open to driving up to Des Moines to take OW from 8 Diving. They are a GUE/NAUI shop with excellent instructors that all teach open water courses neutrally buoyant and trimmed.

A friend of mine used to live and teach in Vancouver. I'll ping him for recommendations.

 

[Regulatrix]

Hello all! I'm new to the world of diving, but have recently made the plunge and am focused on becoming certified and participating on dives. Ironically started watching scuba cave accidents, which then made the idea of OW diving seem WAY less threatening. I'm currently looking for a place near my in the PNW to maybe do some pool classes before I go OW classes for cert. Unsure if there are better routes to go and am open to recommended paths to OW. Thanks for having me here and I cant wait to learn!! Excuse me while I peruse the site now

Welcome aboard! I'm excited for you and the new adventure ahead.

 

[GlassAlgae]

@GlassAlgae

Not sure if you are open to driving up to Des Moines to take OW from 8 Diving. They are a GUE/NAUI shop with excellent instructors that all teach open water courses neutrally buoyant and trimmed.

A friend of mine used to live and teach in Vancouver. I'll ping him for recommendations.

Only 2.5 hours from me! I figured Id have to go to the coast anyway to get a cert so that isnt too big of a deal! Im right outside of PDX currently. Just unsure ow many days i would need to stay up as I am unfamiliar wit te timing of courses. I was GOING to take a pool exploratory class near me but Ive been told by other divers tat I should consider just taking the OW course as it includes pool time. Again completely out of my element here, so im unsure what info is concrete across the board or just general interchanging info.. Ty all for the input it all helps!

 

[Marie13]

You must be referring to Discover Scuba. It's more of a "let me try this as I'm not sure I'll like breathing underwater." I did a Discover Scuba as I was unsure. Went on to do OW.

If you KNOW you want to get your OW cert, don't bother doing the Discover Scuba. Just sign up for open water.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

Only 2.5 hours from me! I figured Id have to go to the coast anyway to get a cert so that isnt too big of a deal! Im right outside of PDX currently. Just unsure ow many days i would need to stay up as I am unfamiliar wit te timing of courses. I was GOING to take a pool exploratory class near me but Ive been told by other divers tat I should consider just taking the OW course as it includes pool time. Again completely out of my element here, so im unsure what info is concrete across the board or just general interchanging info.. Ty all for the input it all helps!

If you don't mind the drive, I'd reach out to see if your and their schedule can line up for an open water class. Their email is info@8diving.com.

I have no relationship with 8, other than taking fundies with Alex and doing a 1-day workshop with Kees. I recommend them because they provide solid training (almost as good as me -- KIDDING! ). I don't know of any other shop where every single instructor teaches neutrally buoyant and trimmed from start to finish. Please read the link to the SDI blog series posts that I wrote in my signature. And don't hesitate to ask questions.

 

[lowwall]

Open Water (OW) is the name of the course, but all OW certification courses start with training in confined water (CW). CW either means a pool or an larger body of water with pool-like conditions.

 

[GlassAlgae]

If you don't mind the drive, I'd reach out to see if your and their schedule can line up for an open water class. Their email is info@8diving.com.

I have no relationship with 8, other than taking fundies with Alex and doing a 1-day workshop with Kees. I recommend them because they provide solid training (almost as good as me -- KIDDING! ). I don't know of any other shop where every single instructor teaches neutrally buoyant and trimmed from start to finish. Please read the link to the SDI blog series posts that I wrote in my signature. And don't hesitate to ask questions.

Oh thank you so much! That is something neutral buoyancy is something I most definitley want good practice in. I appreciate the contact info!!

Open Water (OW) is the name of the course, but all OW certification courses start with training in confined water (CW). CW either means a pool or an larger body of water with pool-like conditions.

Ty for this clarification!