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freddy teacher
Joined: 01 Jan 2011
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 Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 8:01 pm Post subject: getting scuba certification now or later? |
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Hey guys,
I'm planning on going somewhere to dive in January with a friend. she is certified and I am definitely not. i dont know the first thing about it, and i was wondering if someone could give me some advise.
we will probably go away for about 5 days? im guessing that is not enough time to unpack, relax, get certified for under 60 feet and then go for a couple dives with her?
so, im thinking about getting certified somewhere around Seoul before I go.
do people go diving in this temp? can i just get certified in a pool or something?
any advice would be great
thanks in advance |
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OculisOrbis
Joined: 17 Jul 2006
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| Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 8:28 pm Post subject: |
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Get certified when you go on your trip. It will cost you almost double or more to do it in korea. 5 days is plenty of time - it normally only takes 2-3 days. You will do three or five dives (can't remember exactly) open water dives with your instructor to get your certification, but your friend can dive with you. After that, you still have 2 days to do whatever. My only suggestion is that if your worried about time, buy the diving manual now and read through it. That way, you dont have to spend much time studying for the test once youre there. Other than the written test, it isn't much different diving for your certification than a regular dive would be after youre certified. If you want, I think I have a pdf file of the manual. Just PM me.
Last edited by OculisOrbis on Mon Nov 14, 2011 8:35 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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waseige1
Joined: 09 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 8:33 pm Post subject: 3 days... |
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It takes 3 days to get certified and they are pretty full days. So if you wait, you will spend 3 days of the vacation "in class".
Another option is to take a "discover scuba diving". I highly recommend it for people considering diving.
You take a class in the morning and then go diving (with instructor) in the afternoon.
You can dive more with an instructor on that same vacation. It is far cheaper and easier.
You walk away without a cert, but if you plan on diving less than once a year, this is a better/safer option anyway.
I am a PADI divemaster and a scuba boat captain.
My 2 cents. |
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diver
Joined: 16 Jun 2003
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| Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 9:49 pm Post subject: Re: 3 days... |
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| waseige1 wrote: |
It takes 3 days to get certified and they are pretty full days. So if you wait, you will spend 3 days of the vacation "in class".
Another option is to take a "discover scuba diving". I highly recommend it for people considering diving.
You take a class in the morning and then go diving (with instructor) in the afternoon.
You can dive more with an instructor on that same vacation. It is far cheaper and easier.
You walk away without a cert, but if you plan on diving less than once a year, this is a better/safer option anyway.
I am a PADI divemaster and a scuba boat captain.
My 2 cents. |
+1
If you're not sure how much diving you are going to do in the future, this is the best option.
You could also do all your class and pool work here before you go and then complete the open water dives on vacation. PM for details on how to do that. I am an Master Scuba Diver Trainer, but not doing open water courses right now (no time). I can point youin the right direction though. |
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jonw8uk
Joined: 29 Aug 2011
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| Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 11:25 pm Post subject: Re: 3 days... |
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| waseige1 wrote: |
It takes 3 days to get certified and they are pretty full days. So if you wait, you will spend 3 days of the vacation "in class".
Another option is to take a "discover scuba diving". I highly recommend it for people considering diving.
You take a class in the morning and then go diving (with instructor) in the afternoon.
You can dive more with an instructor on that same vacation. It is far cheaper and easier.
You walk away without a cert, but if you plan on diving less than once a year, this is a better/safer option anyway.
I am a PADI divemaster and a scuba boat captain.
My 2 cents. |
Good advice, but should also be noted that on the discover scuba you are officially limited to 10m depth. Depends how strict your DM is on this. |
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freddy teacher
Joined: 01 Jan 2011
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| Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 12:48 am Post subject: |
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hey guys, thanks a lot for all the amazing advice! i think you helped me make up my mind. im going to just get certified in korea first. I dont want any complications on my vacation....
next problem, where to go? Thailand, Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur) or Philipines... |
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chachee99
Joined: 20 Oct 2004
Location: Seoul Korea
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| Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 10:40 am Post subject: |
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I am a PADI instructor. I can help you address some of the comments about getting certified.
| OculisOrbis wrote: |
| Get certified when you go on your trip. It will cost you almost double or more to do it in korea. 5 days is plenty of time - it normally only takes 2-3 days. You will do three or five dives (can't remember exactly) open water dives with your instructor to get your certification, but your friend can dive with you. After that, you still have 2 days to do whatever. My only suggestion is that if your worried about time, buy the diving manual now and read through it. That way, you dont have to spend much time studying for the test once youre there. Other than the written test, it isn't much different diving for your certification than a regular dive would be after youre certified. If you want, I think I have a pdf file of the manual. Just PM me. |
It should take at least 4 days to get properly certified. You will need to do a least two days which consists of watching the DVD, classroom sessions, quizes for each section, followed by a final exam, and two days of confined water training. This can be completed in a pool or calm water at least 5 meters deep.
The cost of PADI materials is the same world wide. Some shops will cut corners by combining your confined water training and open water dives in the same session. In short, you will do the skills in shallow water then they will take you on a dive with your remaining air. This is a BIG NO NO and a violation of PADI standards. So please be careful.
The cost of diving in Korea is not double the price. The cost difference between Korea and other places is due to the travel time of getting to the ocean. Unlike tropical places, the ocean is not outside your door, generally you will need to travel to the East Sea or Jeju to do your ocean dives. Unfortunately, fuel, plane tickets are not free. Plus remember that your instructor is also taking an extra weekend of his or her time as well.
You cannot just purchase the only the PADI manual. You will need to purchase an Open Water Kit. Included with every PADI Open Water Kit includes a special number which is sent to PADI to process your certification. A PDF version of the manual is not suffient and you will be required to purchase an actual copy of the manual yourself. If you do not want to carry around a manual, then you can opt of PADI's e-learning service, where you can study online from your laptop or computer. Bear in mind that E-learning is more expensive than purchasing the Open Water Kit. Plus, your E-Learning pass expires one year after purchase.
| waseige1 wrote: |
Another option is to take a "discover scuba diving". I highly recommend it for people considering diving.
You take a class in the morning and then go diving (with instructor) in the afternoon.
You can dive more with an instructor on that same vacation. It is far cheaper and easier.
You walk away without a cert, but if you plan on diving less than once a year, this is a better/safer option anyway. |
The Discover Scuba Diving allows people to try diving before doing a course. It covers skills you will learn in confined water one which counts towards your Open Water certification.
| jonw8uk wrote: |
| Good advice, but should also be noted that on the discover scuba you are officially limited to 10m depth. Depends how strict your DM is on this. |
Your DM has no say on this. The Discover Scuba dive is restricted to 10 meters max You cannot do a Discover Scuba Dive at any site. It must be done only within a confined water site.
Your bet option is to do your classroom sessions, quizes, exams, and confined water training dives in here in Korea. Your classroom sessions will cover everyting in the manual including all of the knowledge reviews at the end of each section to ensure you understand the material. Once finished, you can do your open water dives aboard. There is no need for studying or to carry around the manual with you. You just go out do some diving. Your friend is welcome to join you as well. All you need to bring is your logbook, and present it to any PADI dive center. Your log book is a record of your training, which is signed and dated by your instructor to verfiy that you have completed the necessary training beforehand.
The location of where you want to do your open water dives is entirely up to you. I have been to both Thailand and the Philippines several times. Both places are excellent dive locations, but like all locations the diving will differ according to where you will be staying in the country mainly due to to the condition of the reef. In my opinion, Pi Pi Lei in Thaland offers much better diving than Koh Tao. Bohol Philippines has much better diving spots than Borocay. A rule of thumb is the more tourist infested the place you visit, the poorer condition the coral will be.
If you have anymore questions, please feel free to PM me. |
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diver
Joined: 16 Jun 2003
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| Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 4:35 pm Post subject: |
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| chachee99 wrote: |
I am a PADI instructor. I can help you address some of the comments about getting certified.
Your DM has no say on this. The Discover Scuba dive is restricted to 10 meters max You cannot do a Discover Scuba Dive at any site. It must be done only within a confined water site. |
If you are with a DM, you may only do the DSD in a pool or confined open water environment.
As per the 2011 PADI Instructor Manual, an Open Water Dive may be included as part of the Discover Scuba Diving Program. The dive is limited to a maximum depth of 12 meters (not 10), and you must be under the care of an instructor (not a divemaster). So, as long as you are with an instructor, you may do an open water dive. There are lots of things to see at 12 meters and less. If you like what you see, and want to see more, then you can consider doing the full course.
I do agree with chach that you should do the theory and confined water (at least) before you go if you plan on getting certified. |
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freddy teacher
Joined: 01 Jan 2011
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| Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 8:33 pm Post subject: |
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just an update: Ive decided to do my PADI eLearning this week then go to Osan to start my training for my open water this weekend with Aquatic Frontier....
if weather permits, ill be going out with the instructor to the east sea the following weekend.
i have a feeling this could turn into a very expensive hobby....i was told that id be going diving quite a few times in thailand with my friend, so being certified beforehand sounds like a good thing to do.
anyone else use Aquatic Frontier before? Anyone going to be joining the group dive this weekend or next? |
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chachee99
Joined: 20 Oct 2004
Location: Seoul Korea
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| Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 11:23 pm Post subject: |
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I've never dived with Auquafrontier, but I know of the company. I have also never heard any complaints about them. So, no worries.
The East sea is ok, depending which section. I recommend Chuam. Good news and bad news. Bad news is it is cold outside. The good news is the temperature inthe water is acutally a lot warmer than outside. However, any diving I will be doing in Korea from now until mid summer will be done in drysuit.
If you are going to meet your friend in Thailand you can also choose to do a PADI referral. You can do all of the class sessions, tests, and confined water training here then do the open water dives when you arrive in Thailand.
Just make sure to have your instructor sign and date your log book and submit your file to PADI.
BTW. Where do you live in Korea? You can join our Dive Korea facebook group. Just search "Dive Korea" on facebook. |
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freddy teacher
Joined: 01 Jan 2011
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| Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 12:57 am Post subject: |
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| chachee99 wrote: |
I've never dived with Auquafrontier, but I know of the company. I have also never heard any complaints about them. So, no worries.
The East sea is ok, depending which section. I recommend Chuam. Good news and bad news. Bad news is it is cold outside. The good news is the temperature inthe water is acutally a lot warmer than outside. However, any diving I will be doing in Korea from now until mid summer will be done in drysuit.
If you are going to meet your friend in Thailand you can also choose to do a PADI referral. You can do all of the class sessions, tests, and confined water training here then do the open water dives when you arrive in Thailand.
Just make sure to have your instructor sign and date your log book and submit your file to PADI.
BTW. Where do you live in Korea? You can join our Dive Korea facebook group. Just search "Dive Korea" on facebook. |
i live on the north side of seoul. thanks for the info, ill check it out! |
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chachee99
Joined: 20 Oct 2004
Location: Seoul Korea
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| Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 11:43 am Post subject: |
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I didn't know you lived in Seoul. I live in Seoul too. I could have done the training with you. Nevertheless, I am sure you will get good training at Aquafrontier.
Good luck man.
PS. Remember to read the manual and do the knowledge review for each chapter. |
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freddy teacher
Joined: 01 Jan 2011
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| Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 12:38 am Post subject: |
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| chachee99 wrote: |
I didn't know you lived in Seoul. I live in Seoul too. I could have done the training with you. Nevertheless, I am sure you will get good training at Aquafrontier.
Good luck man.
PS. Remember to read the manual and do the knowledge review for each chapter. |
Im just about to sign up for the eLearning with PADI. I hope I can finish before tomorrow night so i can rip it down to Osan to start the pool training. |
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chachee99
Joined: 20 Oct 2004
Location: Seoul Korea
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| Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 12:49 am Post subject: |
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| freddy teacher wrote: |
| chachee99 wrote: |
I didn't know you lived in Seoul. I live in Seoul too. I could have done the training with you. Nevertheless, I am sure you will get good training at Aquafrontier.
Good luck man.
PS. Remember to read the manual and do the knowledge review for each chapter. |
Im just about to sign up for the eLearning with PADI. I hope I can finish before tomorrow night so i can rip it down to Osan to start the pool training. |
That's cool man. E-learning covers a lot of material and has videos and quizzes for each section. However, the downside is that it expires after one year. That's why I prefer the manual because you get it keep it, plus you can use it asa reference whenever you like. Plus, PADI's new teaching method covers all the material in the manual and allows instructors to focus more attention on areas students may find difficult to understand, such as dive tables.
A bit of advice. If you don't understand something, don't strain yourself to understand it by yourself. Just tell the instructor and he/she will explain it for you.
Have a good time in Olsan. |
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jonw8uk
Joined: 29 Aug 2011
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| Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2011 6:18 pm Post subject: |
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| jonw8uk wrote: |
| Good advice, but should also be noted that on the discover scuba you are officially limited to 10m depth. Depends how strict your DM is on this. |
| chachee99 wrote: |
| Your DM has no say on this. The Discover Scuba dive is restricted to 10 meters max You cannot do a Discover Scuba Dive at any site. It must be done only within a confined water site. |
Really? So who does have say? The depth police?
I've dived with friends whilst they were doing the DSD. We all went down to 15/16 metres.
It was with an instructor (not DM - my mistake), and I don't believe Koh Phi Phi is considered a confined water site. |
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