I'll start this by saying that I don't plan on starting a DM course before the fall of 2012 and figure on having around 100 dives or more before I start. I'm also sure a lot of this has been asked before, so thanks for your patience.
What should I be looking for in choosing a shop/school? Obviously the instructor(s) is important, but what else should be looking for in terms of training opportunities or possibility of employment after certification, etc? Is a shop that trains instructors as well of any benefit over one that doesn't?
I'm currently thinking of doing the course/internship in the Caribbean somewhere, possibly Utila, and then working around warm waters for a while. So far all my training, and Rescue when I do it, will have been in cold water. Would doing DM in a tropical location be problematic if I later decide I want to do instructor training here?
For now I'm just looking at the options that are available, is there anything else I should pay attention to/look for while perusing websites?
Thanks
What should I be looking for in choosing a shop/school? Obviously the instructor(s) is important, but what else should be looking for in terms of training opportunities or possibility of employment after certification, etc? Is a shop that trains instructors as well of any benefit over one that doesn't?
I'm currently thinking of doing the course/internship in the Caribbean somewhere, possibly Utila, and then working around warm waters for a while. So far all my training, and Rescue when I do it, will have been in cold water. Would doing DM in a tropical location be problematic if I later decide I want to do instructor training here?
For now I'm just looking at the options that are available, is there anything else I should pay attention to/look for while perusing websites?
Thanks