I'm thinking about getting recertified for open water (cert was 30 yrs ago, I had severe alergy problems and could not = my ears)?
what should I look for in a course/instructor, especially in Thailand and Philippines?
Should I expect any freebies like a few free dives?
What do course run in this part of the world?
Thanks
If you still have your certificate I would not bother with a new course, just go for a refresher course which would be a lot cheaper.
It is surprising how it all comes back to you but equipment has changed somewhat also diving tables are not the same any more.so best to get familiar with all the new stuff.
If you are going to do a fair bit of diving a computer is very highly recommended.It tells you off when you are doing something wrong!
As for what to look for there are several instructors who use this site so will be able to advise. Plenty of choice in Thailand and I myself like Phuket and Phi Phi.
Wish I was out there now instead of looking out at an overcast sky, gales, 16C and horizontal rain here in Cornwall and this is mid summer!!!!!
Did you do your course 30 years ago and have not been diving since?
In that case, I strongly disagree with the previous poster. Do the course again. Diving has changed completely.
What to look for: make sure you know the exact course price, including manuals, certification, equipment rental, check what kind of dives are included (beach/boat), make sure the diving equipment is in good order and most important: have a good feel with instructor/DC.
Course prices vary a lot from location to location, just as what is included and what not.
Have fun.
no, i dont have my card and padi could not find it and i could use course becasue ive forgotten much of it - especially critical stuff like my tables.
yeah - i could not equalize my ears but in last few years its not a problem. ????????
id like to learn to do the calculations w/o th ecomputer - but i can see why its critical to know insofar as saftey.
thank you both.
Steven is right.
Having reflected on my reply to your posting I dug out my training manual from 1964 and after having a good laugh reading it and looking at the photos realised how much it has changed and also wondered how I am still alive!
No BC's then and a suit I made myself which rubbed the flesh raw!
Knife like Rambo's which I stll have and sharp as ever and not a sign of rust!
As he said, do the course. ( without the card you have no choice anyway!)
Having done it once you should have no problems.
Enjoy yourself!
Mate - I almost can not believe that I am reading this! Your profile says you are in Timor Leste.
You are in the center of some very sweet diving right at your doorstep!
Go down and have a talk with fatpomintimor of freeflow diving on Embassy Road and see what is available
about the other stuff - freebies, not likely at this stage
alergies from your home country might not be present in Asia
some divers have problems with their ears if they dive everyday because the ear canal never gets a chance to dry out
dp
no...just being a joker, guess i should change it since some people actually look at these things. im in thailand pickle :-p - i can speak bahasa though.
no, i seem to be over the ear thing and the alergy. happened about two years ago -vanished. cant explain but i have some theories.
thanks -
Since you are already in Thailand and wanting to re-learn to dive, plus you looking for some freebies, I think you'd find what you want at Koh Tao. I'm not a huge fan of Tao myself, being spoiled by the diving at Andaman side of Thailand, but Tao OW courses do tend to offer free accommodation while you are on the course.
What should you look for?
• A class of no more than four students.
• A course of no fewer than 4 days.
• An instructor you feel confident with (who knows how to explain things and who has the experience to give you useful insights into how to improve your technique).
• All required equipment, materials, and certification fees included in the price you are quoted.
I learned to dive on Koh Tao! I love the scene going on there and theres some really good diving right off Sairee beach. I really learned to dive on KT which prepared me for the Andaman side of Thailand, which was definitely better by a mile but I love the laid backness of KT. Check out G, Sonia or Simon G at Big Blue or Brad G at New Way.
Q
hi thanks quero. i guess i was also comparing to phils but seems like whatever comparison is made, phils is lesser deal. yeah, kt aint much but i do know its the only real diving left in thailand. thais have done horribel job of managing resources but i also hear dirty little secret is that much of phils has succombed to humanity as well.
thank you all