SCUBA

... what eek said.

The school and more importantly the instructor are teh most important considerations when making your decision.
Having said that I would personally stick to the one of the two bigger institutions of PADI or NAUI if you are planning on diving long term.

[edit and for god's sake okes ... at least get the acronym right if yer going to comment on the merits or lack thereof ... that's N A U I]
 
Bismuth said:
I am a non-current CMAS Lvl 2-certified Scuba Diver! :D

Mares and Cressi/Cressisub are good for gear.

So, yes, I would also recommend CMAS.

What davemc says is also the reason that I am non-current, the costs are rather high.

B
Click to expand...

I am also a two star diver, but time is the main reason for being a lax diver.:o
I probably have over 100 + dive and the only stuff I have is a Dive computer, DV and some soft gear the rest of the stuff I rent.

Ok in my opinion. PADI is very commercialised, they only teach you enough per course so that you can come and do more courses and they are the most expensive. You are as good as the book you bought.

CMAS is basicly a Non profit organisation so they are allmost allways the cheapest. They are very theory heavy and in general no self respecting CMAS instructor will sign you of in a few days. Also here you are as good as your instructor since on top of the theory there is alot of practical exams you need to pass.

Naui, my beloved fiancée did her course through Naui, they are basically a combination of CMAS and PADI with in respect to their way of training and in general also cheaper than PADI.
 
Grubscrew said:
I am also a two star diver, but time is the main reason for being a lax diver.:o
I probably have over 100 + dive and the only stuff I have is a Dive computer, DV and some soft gear the rest of the stuff I rent.

Ok in my opinion. PADI is very commercialised, they only teach you enough per course so that you can come and do more courses and they are the most expensive. You are as good as the book you bought.

CMAS is basicly a Non profit organisation so they are allmost allways the cheapest. They are very theory heavy and in general no self respecting CMAS instructor will sign you of in a few days. Also here you are as good as your instructor since on top of the theory there is alot of practical exams you need to pass.

Naui, my beloved fiancée did her course through Naui, they are basically a combination of CMAS and PADI with in respect to their way of training and in general also cheaper than PADI.
Click to expand...
SCUBA has never been a cheap hobby. It's also dangerous. I wouldn't go for a course that cuts corners. PADI is thorough and their programme has been honed over many years. In fact, they make learning fun.

I haven't dived for a while, mainly because I need a new wetsuit and some instruments. I have everything else. Those computers are expensive too . I'm thinking of trading in my SUUNTO Stinger.
 
Sackboy said:
SCUBA has never been a cheap hobby. It's also dangerous. I wouldn't go for a course that cuts corners. PADI is thorough and their programme has been honed over many years. In fact, they make learning fun.

I haven't dived for a while, mainly because I need a new wetsuit and some instruments. I have everything else. Those computers are expensive too . I'm thinking of trading in my SUUNTO Stinger.
Click to expand...

Didn't CMAS used to only train commercial divers, and the thoroughness and details shows in their recreational diving programmes. And wasn't Jacques Costeau involved with CMAS as well?. I reckon you won't go wrong, but as has been said, check the instructor and school out first.

B
 
Bismuth said:
Didn't CMAS used to only train commercial divers, and the thoroughness and details shows in their recreational diving programmes. And wasn't Jacques Costeau involved with CMAS as well?. I reckon you won't go wrong, but as has been said, check the instructor and school out first.

B
Click to expand...

From their site, CMAS appears to be an acronym for some unpronounceable French diving association. Their course seems rather rigourous, both physically and practically. They are the closest to where I am, so I'll definitely give them a shout.
 
I've only had good experiences with Sandton Scuba.

Can't say I've been anywhere else though.
 
Noseworthy said:
Thread resurrection. What's the best school in joburg north?
Click to expand...

It depends on your goals. If you looking for a course which will see you in a good group, qualifying with ocean dives (in Sodwana Bay), I would go with Divetek. Divetek have their own qualification (based on NAUI). I have done all my training through them, and must say that I am very comfortable in the water. Even had some very hair raising dives which I handled with ease due to the in depth training I received. The Divetek Open Water course has a lot of the Advanced course in it (most of the safety aspects), and I believe you can go a bit deeper on this course too.

Personally, I would look at the course outline of each shop and then go visit them to find the best fit. Scuba diving is not elegant, so you need to be comfortable with your trainer to get the best out of your course.

You are welcome to PM for more info on my experience and dive history.
 
Three instructors and their students are on board a dive boat in the middle of the ocean. There is a NAUI instructor, a PADI instructor, and an SSI instructor. Everything is going fine until the boat springs a leak and starts to sink. The SSI instructor says to his students, "Okay, we're in the middle of the ocean, so we might as well do our deep dive." The NAUI instructor says to his students, "Okay, we might as well do our navigation dive, so let's get our compasses out and swim towards shore." The PADI instructor says to his students, "Okay, for $25 extra you guys get to do a wreck dive!"
 
And half way through. Just finished pool session and went well. 2 more weeks until ocean dive. Thanks for all the help and pushing in the right direction. You guys rock
 
davemc said:
Diving is awesome. It's the freaking costs of doing the diving that is prohibitive.

Last time I dived, it cost R350 (for the boat) for a single dive. Then add R40 for the air, and another R80 for the other equipment (I have my own goggles + snorkel + flippers).

I took one look at the bill afterwards and gave it up as a really really expensive and bad idea.

Though, I really really enjoyed it, it's just not worth that kind of cash. I want to dive every weekend, not once a month.
Click to expand...

It's as expensive as taking a family of 4 to the spur lol.
Get your own duck and motor ;)
 
Wanted to dive when we were at Massinga last year. R750 for a dive, excl equipment. Think they charge R270 per dive at Ponta now. They have load of specials. If you buy a 5 dive package, your buddy dives for free.
 
Quick question how many of you Scuba guys did a medical before starting with your diving course and have you guys declared it with your medical aids, if so what was their response (are you covered or not)?
 
Hurricane said:
Quick question how many of you Scuba guys did a medical before starting with your diving course and have you guys declared it with your medical aids, if so what was their response (are you covered or not)?
Click to expand...

I did not do a medical. My medical aid covers recreational diving. (Discovery classic comprehensive).

I have done some dives that violate recreational limits without having health problems, so I think I'm OK :p
 
I just paid an R8k invoice 10mins ago for servicing of my regs + some "goodies" that caught my eye when the guy sent me a brochure. Damnit.
 
Jeez. What goodies did you buy for R8k?

What did the servicing set you back? I should probably take my regs in as I have not used them in a few months. And I lost a weight pocket from my brand new Aqualung Pearl BC... I swear, if I didn't have a neck...
 
Emjay said:
Jeez. What goodies did you buy for R8k?

What did the servicing set you back? I should probably take my regs in as I have not used them in a few months. And I lost a weight pocket from my brand new Aqualung Pearl BC... I swear, if I didn't have a neck...
Click to expand...

I bought a BCD kit with flashlight, knife and clips as well as a clip on shaker. In addition I got myself a proper 75m reel and valved DSMB (I used to always have a 30m finger reel + my el cheapo SMB that I got with my rescue diver cert, but I accidentally left that on my last liveaboard in the maldives).

I also asked to replace some of my shorter hoses and got my air2 serviced as well. So yeah that kinda adds up. The rest of the prices was pretty much on par with norwegian labour prices.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X