Scuba Diving... looking for info

[gorrie]

I've always fancied doing scuba diving and am looking for info on what the PADI Open Water Dive Course is like (how intense/hard is it/what do you actually do)? I'm sure I've seen pics/posts of various peoples diving exploits on here so info/links would be gratefully received.

The wife & I had a 30min taster session in a swimming pool about 9yrs ago when on holiday in the Canaries. I was useless with the boyancy but we booked up to go for a proper days diving with the people anyway. Unfortunately, when that day arrived she could not lift her arms above waist/chest level due to the surfing lessons we had taken the day before (paddling out is a killer)... and I thought it would be a bit rude to leave her on her own (lost our money on that one).

These days on holiday, I normally just buy a snorkle & mask and potter about for a while in the sea. While content, I always regretted not diving when I had the chance.

We are off to Mexico in the summer and I believe the diving is meant to be good there, and there is meant to be a PADI approved school in the resort I think. I'm also going to Egypt for christmas and I believe the Red Sea is meant to be amazing for divers..... so, I'm thinking that this year is probably the best year to give it a bash... and if doing it, wonder if it's worth while doing a proper course.

If it turns out that you need to do loads of supervised dives etc etc, then maybe the course is not really feasible.

Cheers, Andy.

[RDH]

Speak to DDtB. IIRC he's done a few Padi courses!

[daveskerr]

Gorrie,

Completed my PADI Open Water course whilst on holiday in the Dominican during the summer.

Like yourself I had always fancied it but never done anything about it! Looked up a few prices before i went away but booked when i got there. Glad I did because it was quite a bit cheaper.

As for the course itself it is very relaxed: 2 mornings theory (the worst bit!), with those afternoons in the pool. This was followed by 4dives spread over 2 days. This is the most intensive way to do it but you could spread everything over your whole holiday.
I was quite nervous before I did the course as I had been researching what you had to do but in the end it was very laid back and enjoyable. During your pool sessions you practice techniques and drills. These are practiced at the start of your open water dives for around 15 minutes then you spend the rest of the time checking out the scenery!
I am quite a strong swimmer but my girlfriend isn't and she managed to pass the course no probs. All in all, money well spent!!

She must have enjoyed it too as we are both doing our Advanced Open water when we go to the Maldives in June!

Cheers,

David

[gorrie]

Cheers guys Found the PADI website... hadn't banked on Theory Seems there is some 'eLearning' that you can sign up for in advance, but that seems a bit keen to me. I've priced the courses up in Mexico & Egypt and they seem to be pretty similar (£220-£240)....

How does that compare to paying when you get there Dave?

[Brian J]

An option is to do the theory and the pool stuff with a PADI instructor in the UK and then do the four dives on holiday. Saves wasting your holiday in a classroom!

Quite usual to do this - as it it is all standard PADI procedures, the paperwork is just handed over.

[DDtB]

An option is to do the theory and the pool stuff with a PADI instructor in the UK and then do the four dives on holiday. Saves wasting your holiday in a classroom!

Quite usual to do this - as it it is all standard PADI procedures, the paperwork is just handed over.

I've got all the course material up to the Advanced Open Water level if you want a look at it.

Can't recommend it highly enough... one of the best things I ever did. I actually only booked on for Open Water, but then went back the next week and did the Advanced Course and several others....

I've got the name of a place in Edinburgh that was recommended to me, I'll try and find it when I get home later...

Cheers,

Dave.

[daveskerr]

Think i managed to save about £50 when i booked there instead of here.

If I were you I would do the theory here, noting worse than looking at the sunshine and the beach.....through a door!

[sam]

I did my open water and advanced open water in the Maldives, and have dived in Egypt also, I did the whole course on holiday, like people say better to do the boring biy here and then the interesting dives on holiday, although having said that I dont remember the classroom work taking up that much time.

[ExigeKen]

I did my open water and advanced open water in the Maldives, and have dived in Egypt also, I did the whole course on holiday, like people say better to do the boring biy here and then the interesting dives on holiday, although having said that I dont remember the classroom work taking up that much time.

I did mine in the Turks & Caicos Islands but wish I had done the theory before going. It is lots of reading and multiple choice exams if I remember correctly. Also you have to swim 400m and t read water for 10 minutes or something like that but I am sure the web site will tell you all that.

it is an amazing experience to be able to dive

[gorrie]

Loads of great feedback, and plenty food for thought... cheers peeps..

[k12chu]

the cheapest and best option i found was edinburgh deepsea world. DIVE WITH THE SHARKS
it was a good experience. training + 30mins under water with the fishiiiieeeesss + PADI 'official diver' certificate/license = £150 (march 2007)

[k12chu]

if u r going for it, DONT FORGET TO TAKE THE UNDERWATER CAMERA

[Victor Meldrew]

if u r going for it, DONT FORGET TO TAKE THE UNDERWATER CAMERA

Following some sage advice from a very experianced diver, PADI rescue diver, doing his dive masters, the problem with "underwater cameras, disposable type" is that they are only waterproof to a few meters. You want a proper housing for your normal camera.

He has a fuji finepix f45 costs about £130 and the housing about £140 which is rated to 40 meters and as an open water diver you are limited to a maximum of 18 meters. His advice is, depends on how much dioving you are going to be doing if its worth the investment and also as you will learn during your course the deeper you go the more colour you loose. Pictures are best taken up to around 10 meters depth.

[paulW]

No one do BSAC any more??

I found PADI very basic and to be honest don't think it gave me the confidence or the skill required.
I spent a couple of weeks in Oman and did the entry level Novice diver through BSAC, and started on my Sports Diver, and there was a lot of information to take in, was actually studying in the evenings.

However, on holiday in the Maldives decided to do the PADI course.

Few dives, very rudimentary training and came away with my Advanced Open Water certificate.

Not to say it isn't worth doing, got some great dives in, a deep dive, to get that Nitrogen Narcosis kicking in, which is absolutely surreal, instant state of being pished at the bottom of the sea. Also squeezed in a drift dive, and a night dive.

However, I'd certainly be looking for some more advanced training, before I was confident in someone entrusting their life in my hands.

[Cisco]

Hey Gorrie,

I guess I am an experienced diver..got close to 1000 dives logged FFS. Started in Hurghada Egypt in '83 with CMAS but later did the BSAC training to Instructor level. Been to many of the great sites.

What I would say is do the PADI course at your holiday location in warm water and enjoy..you will probably find the classroom stuff fun too..find out if you really like it..its one of those things that bite you (or don't).

After your holiday try joining a UK club and do some diving in the UK with BSAC or PADI (dry suit I'm afraid but can be great diving). Everything will start to become clear if you get to that point.

None of us can go to the moon but diving is the closest thing to getting another world IMHO.

Good luck and

Take care,