1

Hi AR!

Where in Thailand are you planning to be? (There are a number of dive destinations here!)

As to what to avoid....
• I would avoid anything that's a package taking you from a low recreational level through DM, no matter how many "free" or no-cost dives they promise. There's absolutely nothing to recommend that a DM trainee do tens (or hundreds) of dives on the same dive sites in the same conditions in terms of professional preparation--the result of that is a DM who has a notable and unenviable narrow range of experience. Rather, pick a few places you'd like to do some diving and do a course at each one to gain experience in somewhat different environments.

• Avoid places where you have to pay for everything up-front and that includes housing, equipment purchase, etc. They look good on paper, but they are really just money-making ventures for the school. You have little or no option as to your choices of accommodation or equipment, and if you want to change because you don't like it, you end up paying more. You can actually do better by looking around a bit for your accommodations and shopping for your own gear without paying any more for it.

• Avoid places where you pay for everything up front. If you don't like the place, the school, the instructors, or whatever, you lose your money. Get a pay-as-you-go school to give yourself the greatest flexibility (and again, to allow you to travel to different areas and experience different sorts of dive environments, business models, etc.). This also gives you the chance to make sure you really do want to work in the industry. It doesn't make much sense to spend a ton of money becoming a dive professional if you're not going to work in the industry. It might make more sense to just spend the money diving for fun.

Most LP readers seem to be budget travelers who want to go to Koh Tao because it's cheap. It is cheap, but because it's popular and because for those low prices something has to give, it's also dominated by a few factory-like, impersonal dive schools, so if you end up there, look for one of the smaller, more personal places to do your training. There are a few of these on the island which are very good, and there are excellent schools as well at other Thailand destinations. I'd be glad to offer recommendations via PM. Feel free to contact me.

2

For once I agree with Quero (except for the last sentence: if you want to give recommendations, do that here on the board and don't try to promote your business via PM).

3

No stevenl, I won't do it publicly. I will invite people to contact me. If they wish to do so, then fine. If not, fine. I don't give blanket recommendations since every diver has unique needs and one size never fits all. My recommendations will always be tailored to the specific needs of those who choose to contact me.

4

I hope that that Op got his/fer answer while the kitty litter settles :)

5

See replies #1 and #2. They both provide guidance, though from rather opposite perspectives, which is actually good. That way the OP has some different viewpoints to weigh. You could contribute your perspective as well, SD, given than you can talk about doing the training on board a liveaboard.

6

Hey I did mine last year in koh lanta with a dive school called blue planet. I paid 50% and worked off the other 50% it was an amazing experiance they really treat u like part of the team and u work hard but party hard too :) pm me if u want me to tell u more. Ang