[Reel Scream]

Where should one go for certifaction and about how much does it cost? I live in the North East section of Houston(Kingwood area). Thanks!!!!



Reel scream!

 

[Goin Deep]

Certification

WW Diving is right there close to you on FM1960 just down from Wilson Rd. They do all there pool work right there at the store and check off dives at Blue Lagoon in Huntsville. A buddy of mine just got certified through them and was very happy with there services. I believed he paid around $400 or so for everything. Not real sure but you can call them @ 281-540-1616. Ask for Dennis or Rebecca they are the store owners. I do all my business with them and have been very happy.

 

[captjordan]

RS,
I'm in Kingwood too, and am ready to get certified. I have done about 20 dives over the years in Mexico, but want to get legit and go out with these guys before the weather gets too tropical stormy.........LMK if you want to go through the cert. together.
later,
Jordan

 

[Reel Scream]

Thanks!!

Thanks for the input. Next question! PADI or SSI? Which is better?

Reel Scream!!

 

[A Salt Weapon]

I've been PADI since 1978. I don't know the difference in the 2, but I'm sure basically they are the same. It's just going to depend on the dive shop. They'll probably only offer one course. Either way...get it done and get wet! You'll learn alot.

 

[t-tung]

NAUI i believe has a better safety record. it really depends on the instructor tho. not tryin to start a flame war or anything but i believe PADI lowered their instructor standards years back...... thomas

 

[speckle-catcher]

NAUI i believe has a better safety record. it really depends on the instructor tho. not tryin to start a flame war or anything but i believe PADI lowered their instructor standards years back...... thomas

if chevy puts 10,000 cars on the road and ford only puts 100 cars on the road - who is going to have a better safety record?

it's all about the instructor and the diver. the agency really has nothing to do with it.

 

[Goin Deep]

10-4 spec

I agree 100% with ya spec. It's all about how much effort you want to put into it to become a good diver. I got my Open Water certification through PADI and got my Advanced certifiaction through NAUI and I was happy with both of them.

if chevy puts 10,000 cars on the road and ford only puts 100 cars on the road - who is going to have a better safety record?

it's all about the instructor and the diver. the agency really has nothing to do with it.

 

[michaelbaranowski]

I am going to tell you that it is the instructor that is important not the agency. I suggest you find talk to a few instructors and shop you like doing business with and get cert. with the agency they use. From what I see both SSI and P A D A are about the same.

 

[Calmday]

Stay away from anyplace that offers a certification in a very short period of time. I see this with PADI a lot. Mostly with big shops that have multiple locations and are just trying to run as many people thru as they can. People that get certified in such a short period don't have the skills to dive safely. The truth is just what everyone else said. Its the instructor not the agency. I have seen a lot of divers (new and old) that have crappy skills so be sure that an instructor will be willing to work with you until you are comfortable and have good bouncy control.
I think that SSI's standards are a little higher and they offer more options when it comes to getting your advanced.

 

[scubaru]

Everyone has valid points, but it boils down to common sense. Ask enough questions and pump your instructor until you've reached a good comfort level to consider yourself certified. If you go through WW Diving or any of the other reputable shops you'll be fine. You can also do a search on this board as this is a topic that comes up pretty often.

 

[Reel Scream]

Thanks!!

Great info here! Can't wait to join you!

Reel Scream!!

 

[F O R D]

Private Lessons

I'M LOOKING FOR PRIVATE SCUBA LESSONS FOR ME AND MY WIFE TO CO :texasflag ME TO OUR HOUSE

 

[scubacraig]

agencies

PADI is the largest dive organization in the world. NAUI is one of the oldest. SSI is one of the smaller agencies. They are all recognized by the RTSC. I agree with everyone else, go with an instructor you get good recommendations about. Your training depends on your instructor.

Craig

 

[Seahuntress]

Instructor's

I'm NAUI "certified", and PADI "advanced" RESCUE, SEARCH & RECOVERY, and EMERGENCY RESPONDER/FIRST AID. I thought NAUI was a little tough back in the 80's. Maybe NAUI was not, but my instructor was. Also, we had only NAUI dive tables to rely on. No computer's back then, unless you were in the NAVY So yes, they were more strict back then; NAUI made a NAVY SEAL out of me. We have dive computer's now to rely on. I did not use a dive computer until 1995. (Telling on my age) You never hear of too many diving fatality's these day's. Technology, dive computers, excellent training facilities. It's the INSTRUCTOR. I have my favorites in Lake Jackson. Also; YOU, have to be comfortable diving, and dive with a responsible crew. Start out in some lakes & ponds. That's excellent training. If you can master that, then you can master the DEEPBLUE SEA.

 

[CoastalOutfitters]

"Stay away from anyplace that offers a certification in a very short period of time. I see this with PADI a lot. Mostly with big shops that have multiple locations and are just trying to run as many people thru as they can. People that get certified in such a short period don't have the skills to dive safely. The truth is just what everyone else said. Its the instructor not the agency. I have seen a lot of divers (new and old) that have crappy skills so be sure that an instructor will be willing to work with you until you are comfortable and have good bouncy control"..............very true



PADI and NAUI are both very old cert. agencies and both are fine with a good instructor.

Get a friend to take the class with you that you would like to continue to dive with , then you can study and progress together, also often shops offer "buddy" discounts....

 

[haparks]

i used to work for (dui) diving unlimited international-(dry suits)-i know for a fact the instructor is every thing--i got certified in sandiego by a peice of **** dive shop but the instructor was top notch--so yes the instructor is the key--try and find the most experianced instructor u can--instructors do not do this for the money--cuz there is no money ---but they do it for the love of diving and want to share with the world any specifics just pm me

 

[Seahuntress]

Right

You are so RIGHT!

 

[scubaru]

"Stay away from anyplace that offers a certification in a very short period of time. I see this with PADI a lot. Mostly with big shops that have multiple locations and are just trying to run as many people thru as they can. People that get certified in such a short period don't have the skills to dive safely. The truth is just what everyone else said. Its the instructor not the agency. I have seen a lot of divers (new and old) that have crappy skills so be sure that an instructor will be willing to work with you until you are comfortable and have good bouncy control"..............very true

PADI and NAUI are both very old cert. agencies and both are fine with a good instructor.

Get a friend to take the class with you that you would like to continue to dive with , then you can study and progress together, also often shops offer "buddy" discounts....

I got certified in 2 days after diving 2 tanks in Cozumel with a poolside crash course.

Ask lots of questions and don't cheat yourself on good gear.

 

[scubaru]

Don't know about the "good instructor" part, but am prolly gonna use Scuba Craig to get my wife open water certified. :wink: