zilch

No irish jokes please , anyone on here done the PADI open water course. I am thinking of enrolling prior to next years hols or actually do one when down under. Any experiences, where did you do it, feedback warmly welcomed.




Many thanks

Jim

Dr Hu

Yup - did mine in Fiji whilst travelling - took five easy days, tending to be morning in classroom, avo in pool, then last coupla days was openwater. The instructor was excellent, very patient. We had several people drop out - one just couldnt hack taking off his mask underwater - it freaked him out, another had sinus/ear problems - make sure you don't have a cold! But the rest of us (about 5) passed. Make sure you do it in a small group, and even better with a trusted friend/relation - its easier to learn & trust each other than a stranger!

Its fairly easy.....I say go for it - it damn sure beats learning in the near freezing conditions of a flipping welsh slate quarry!

Wales = Visibity...oooh 2 or 3 inches
Fiji = Visibility....how far do you want!

Have sinced been diving all over and it is totally fab! (however I fully admit to being a warm water diver)

The Zohan

Doing my open water at the moment

Just got the a coule of open water dives left to do over at Stoney Cove nr Hinckley.

I have enjoyed it, i did a couple of dives in the Maldives last year which was fab.

The coursework is OK, mostly common sense and pretty interesting. Try to borrow/hire the PADI course videos, they help.

I plan to do the rescue diving course as well, this will qualify me to do pro underwater camera work which = big bucks.

Really good fun and i would reccommend it to anyone.

Paul

Mice_Elf

Any reason why PADI in particular and not BSAC?

Just curious.

The Zohan

I am doing the PADI one 'cause it is free. My other halfs company run the courses partly because it teaches trust/reliance in others and also the MD is diving mad. I Produced their company video last year and he was that chuffed he offered me a place.

Mice_Elf

Am doing BSAC one.

neilbbb

did PADI in Egypt and loved it. BSAC is also good (i am told) but cold water probably spoils the fun

Mice_Elf

But learning PADI in the UK doesn't make the water any warmer...

zilch

couple friends have done BSAC, they just reckoned if I want to do the warm water stuff, learn quickly, not to deep etc, then PADI would suffice. Is there a lot of difference in terms of time, expense etc. Just that PADI seems to be run just about everywhere globally

Cheers

Jim

NICKBG

PADI - Pay And Die Instantly

I am a BSAC Dive Leader, having said that we also trained Padi people too, Padi is know more across the world, but people will still recognise BSAC divers. Most orgs will have a table so that they can compare the different levels within each org so that say for example BSAC Novice 2 relates to Open water (just an example because i can't remember what it really does relate to) etc..

Have fun
and BTW Stoney Cove is an excellent training location.... if you haven't been before and want to know more, just let me know - been there loads of times....

Cheers
Nick

kryten

Not in February, 8 degress water temp and 1.5m vis - though it has to be said, once you've dived that (in a SEMI dry!) you're prepared for anything

Training before you go somewhere nice will mean you get more dives in when you are there.

And the same applies with Stoney - once you've dived in the UK with low temps, poor vis and fast currents the nice warm clear waters of some tropical paradise are bliss!

mike16v

I did the PADI Open Water course last year when I was in Australia. I figured I didn't want to learn to dive in the North Sea and so signed up for a course while I was staying on an island near the Great Barrier Reef... it was SUPERB

Never even considered any other qualifications.

Now I can officially join Scuby Steve in the Scuba squad from Big Daddy...

Mike

Mossman

PADI - Put Another Dollar In

Seriously, I have done both my Open Water and Advanced, both on Koh Tao in Thailand. It was superb! But it was the location that really made it! Check out Ban's Diving Resort on the web.

Mossman

Brendan Hughes

Mossman, the wife and I are planning to go to Thailand for honeymoon in Dec for 3 weeks (can't do a month, we have a boy at school), and I'm considering PADI, though I only get in a swimming pool once a year at most. Do you have any more info on that please? What's a PADI cost?

Otherwise, reading this thread with interest...

BJH

zilch

Thanks to everyone for their advise, i think I will go for
the Padi open water and the advance O/W, you can get some decent joint packages. I do not plan to dive off the UK at this time, adverse to bits turning blue and falling off , so assume PADI will be good enough for the more warmer climes and recreational diving.

Many thanks

Jim

zilch

Brendan,

try http://www.padi.com it provides an excellent overview of courses and resorts where you can do it, typically with links to specific club web sites which provide all the costs.

Cheers

Jim

Mossman

Brendan,

U have mail mate!

Mossman

Mossman

Brendan, ur mail bounced - ring me on 01482 673 544 if u can.
Mossman

zilch

Mossman

tried via the PADI web site http://www.padi.com/search/dcnr/search.asp?Country=THAI&City=Koh+Tao+&Submit=Submi t unable to find a link to BANS, are they under another name. Link provided all PADI centres in Koh Tao

Thanks

Jim

Mossman

Hey Jim,

Sorry about that. I don't think they have changed their name or lost affiliation. Try this mate

http://www.amazingkohtao.com/

zilch

Mossman

many thanks

Jim

DMB

As a PADI instructor ( and loads of IANTD stuff before the slating starts ) i'd just point out that most of the training agencies offer the same level and standards of training these days.

I would recomend learning in the uk though, yes its cold and dark and horrible but if you can dive in uk conditions then you can dive just about anywhere

oh yeah BSAC = Better Send A Chopper

matt.bowey

PADI - Put Another Dollar In..!!!

Did mine in Cyprus!!!

zilch

Mossman

BANs seems excellent value in terms of the open water + the advanced course (with accommodation, approximately 226 quid based on todays exchange rates. Coupled with an holiday that seems a better option than OZ.

Cheers for the info

Jim

Mossman

No worries Zilch, it really is excellent. I haven't been there for a few years but when I was there 95,96 and 97 it was spot on. Great location, good people, superb food and top service.

I did both my open water and advanced there. Koh Tao is a beautiful island and wasn't too touristy when I was there. Certainly not as bad os Phan Gan or Samui. If you want a chat just ring 01482 673 544.

Mossman