Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Keepongoing]

Is there a place in Seoul where you can get or, begin the process of getting the PADI Open Water Certification? I would like to get up to the DiveMaster Level which I will do in Thailand or Malaysia but would like to get to the first level while I am still here.

[Bulsajo]

Send OWSI a pm on the subject [OWSI stands for Open Water Scuba Instructor]. I'm preferential to NAUI, which is non-profit but no longer as common as PADI. PADI's reputation has also improved quite a bit from when I was first certified and no longer has the stigma it once had in the early 80's.

You can do the pool and class work somewhere in Seoul I'm sure, but to complete the course you'll need to do 2 or more open water dives at some point.

Why are you shooting for divemaster, btw? It takes 60 or so logged dives; for someone who hasn't been certified for Open Water yet that's a lot.

At one time I thought of getting into the dive industry as a profession, but found the pay sucked, and having to shepherd inexperienced tourists on resort dives day in and out really took the fun out of it [this was from my room-mates at the time who were OW instructors].

[mack the knife]

there's a place in haebongchong (near itaewon) called "phillies" which serves, of all things, philly cheesesteak sandwiches. incidentally, they also advertise scuba lessons. i guess the owner (a foreigner) is qualified.

[teachernative]

If you want to get up to divemaster level - it'll be much cheaper to do all the courses at the same place. Don't mess around starting it in Korea - don't bother with pool sessions - it's a waste of money. Just get to Thailand/Malaysia/Indonesia - do the confined water sessions in the ocean - you'll get more for your money - and there are some fantastic deals around for open water up to divemaster/assistant instructor level - in my last dive shop -we charged about US$1000 for this - this way you don't have a max. 60 dives when you leave - my students were clocking between 100-150, and you can spend between 3-6months doing this if you wish and hang out in se asia. It's such a fantastic thing to do - an incredible lifestyle and unlimited tropical diving!!!!

Master Instructor.

[gajackson1]

TA ~

Hmmmmm . . . bellllyyy intellllestinggg.

So, talk to us in square numbers here. 3 month & 6. What costas are we looking at? That covers the courses - what about equipment? What about room & board?

Not everyone can just take off for 3 - 6 months, but a few of us are probably piqued!

Regards,

G.