open water course advice ,please!!

[Jeanna]

Am new to the under water world of scuba diving,i have been to the red sea before and i did some dives in the sea.
but now am more interested to go for a certification,i surfed the internet but now am really lost between different people opinion.

My plan is to do the course the next time i fly to hurghada,but i dont know how to choose the center, the certification agency....shall i start buying my gear now or shall i wait?

A lot of questions with no accurate answers....i see from the advertising this forum have instructors dedicated for helping people like me

so please help me

[Helena1982]

Important is to understand what is the course schedule about and not the price. You pay and you want to learn the right thing.

The most common certification body would be PADI, NAUI, SSI.

You can check on the individual certification body's website on the course details.


1) Duration of the course as in how many classroom lesson, how many pool session and how many open water session.
2) How many student in a class (this is important as if one instructor need to teach many, you won't get the attention of the instructor especially during the pool session)
3) During the session, does the instructor covered ever topics in the course (well you won't know till you in the course but then if you know the course outline you know what the instructor has skipped)
4) Pool session is important, this will allow you to put your classroom theory into practice, therefore the depth of the pool will come into account as too you won't experience pressure if you are at less then 3 meter depth (minimum kneeing position)
5) Important is to able to experience what is the minimum weight you need to sink with a near empty tank, this exercise is important as down the road when you have you own BCD & gears, you can recalled this lesson and adjust your weight accordingly.
6) Deep pool with amper swimming space will allow you to practice equalization and some other tasks simulate the openwater condition so that when you are out at the openwater you will enhance your experience rather then panic.

I am not too sure what is the market price for OW certification now but its your life, you rather learn the proper way from an helpful instructor than to get the most budget package and just go through the motion.

See you underwater someday, relaxed and smiling.

[Looka]

Am not yet an amatuer diver but i will tell you a small advice based on my little experiance.

Your Open Water Course is your first course that gets you into the sport of SCUBA diving and is the minimum course you need to use our dive gear. There are a number of different certification agencies that offer open water courses including SSI, PADI and CMAS. All of these courses are internationally recognized and each organization recognizes each others certification.

There are a lot of arguments about which certification agency is better.... but realistically the quality of any course is dependant on the quality and experience of your instructor and the number of dives you do during the course. More is obviously better for both.

Before you begin your Open Water Course you will need to pass a Diving Medical Examination.

I hope this can help Jeanna

[Mako]

Originally Posted by Jeanna

My plan is to do the course the next time i fly to Hurghada,but I don't know how to choose the center,

Good decision! To be on the safe side choose a recognized diving center from the certification agency like a PADI gold palm resort or a five Star diving center etc... this recognition will be on their website or as a sticker on the door or hanging on the wall of the shop. You can find a list of diving centers here: Hurghada diving centers
Woodoo divers is a PADI Five star IDC center
Euro Divers are also quite good
and many more depending on which hotel you will stay.

Originally Posted by Jeanna

the certification agency.

I would choose PADI (this does not mean it's the only good one) it's very international and your certification will be recognized nearly everywhere in the world. Hurghada has a lot of Padi diving centers, SSI and CMAS too.

Originally Posted by Jeanna

...shall i start buying my gear now or shall i wait?

Wait, during your open water diver course you will learn a lot about equipment and which is best for which situation. The kind of water you will dive in after is also important for your choice. During your course you will learn all that and if you still need advice don't hesitate to come back here and post your question.
Mako