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MSD FORUMS - RECREATIONAL DIVE TRAINING AND EDUCATION |
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TOPIC:
Scuba Lessons
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Aurora |
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Hi -
I'm from Chicago and planning a trip to the Caribbean. Anyone have any recommendations as to where I can go for scuba training and certification?
Aurora
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PDSLTD |
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Scuba Diving-Training to Explore the Underwater World
(20 seats available)
Course Number: 3801
Building/Room: Wheeling High School/Pool - Street Map
Dates/Time: 02/15/2008 through 03/14/2008 on Friday at 6:30-10:00 p.m.
Instructor(s): Chicago Aquanauts , c/o M. Rogers ,or Dug Chalmers ;
Regular price: $135
Regular Materials cost: $45
You will learn the basic fundamentals of Scuba diving in the classroom and have pool time to master the skills necessary to safely enjoy the sport.
Bring your swimsuit, towel, We'll provide you with mask, snorkel, fins for the pool sessions. Students 12-18 are welcome but must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
Upon completion of this performance-based course, you will be eligible to attend an Open Water Certification course.
Offered in cooperation with the Chicago Aquanauts.
Wheeling High School and Community Education. Materials additional cost, approximately $45.00.
Phone: 847.718.7700 | Fax: 847.718.7713 | Email:ce@d214.org
http://lasso.d214.org/ce/course_list.lasso?-session=ce_ses:FB1B52575F90CC5C2754E939B7B771B9
Visit CASA's website at www.casascuba.org
To Error on the side of Safety,
is to Live and Dive Again.
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hammerhead |
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what exactly does she get for the 135.00?? How much more money for her to get the openwater certification?? What agency will she get her cert. through??
It's okay, just show us on the doll where the P.A.D.I. instructor touched you.
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hammerhead |
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Oh, yeah what are the 45.00 for materials???????
It's okay, just show us on the doll where the P.A.D.I. instructor touched you.
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PDSLTD |
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They get Pool and Classroom training, Materials include Books, Tables, Etc.
PADI or NAUI.
Openwater is $110.00.
They have to supply thier own M.F,S and Dive equipment for O.W. (Rental from Tina highly recommended)
Details should be posted to thier website as a PDF soon.
www.casascuba.org
To Error on the side of Safety,
is to Live and Dive Again.
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markv |
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I cannot possibly figure out how some one can be adequately trained for a couple of hundred dollars. Diving instruction is a lot more expensive than this! I liked the fact that when I was trained full disclosure was made to me in a private orientation session. Rentals, purchases, books, materials, registrations, open water costs, required equipment etc. were all thoroghly discussed and full disclosure was made. Buyer beware! You usually get what you pay for. I originally made a BIG mistake signing up for a course of instruction with Claude Jewel in Glen Ellyn (I think he is out of business). He promised an inexpensive course of instruction took my money then filed bankruptcy. When I called for a refund he told me to "wait in line." I also liked the fact that the class I finally enrolled in only had 5 people and I recieved a lot of individual attention. Other individuals I ran accross in the last 18 years also had this experience with Claude.
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seawitch22 |
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Since you're in Chicago, Underwater Safaris on Lincoln and Belmont area. They have a pool connected to the shop. Also in Oak Park is H2-Go on Chicago. They do the pool at Triton College. Up in Glenview is D.D. Dive shop.
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seawitch22 |
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I know D.D. Dive is PADI. I don't know what the others are. I got mine through Triton College which was a 10 week course twice a week for 3 hours each and was NAUI cert. Check them out as well.
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hammerhead |
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Claude Jewell, now that could be a whole new thread unto itself!!!!!!!! I have met and almost became prey. He's still around, hawking his programs. I would love for him to get on this forum, caught between myself and markv!!!!!!!!!! I promise you could charge admission for that one!!!!!!!!!
It's okay, just show us on the doll where the P.A.D.I. instructor touched you.
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PDSLTD |
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The class at Wheeling is taught by volunteer Instructors and staff from the Chicago Aquanauts scuba club..
The program is sponsored by the school Dist. who own the pool, so no pool rental fee's.
Unlike dive shops who have to pay staff, rentals, electric, heat etc. The Dive club taught program can be offered for far less. When I learned to dive in 1972 I paid $55.00 through the park dist. and $25.00 for the check out dive which included the rentals and the lake fee. (Elgin Quarry)
When people are teaching because they enjoy teaching and are not motivated by $$$$ the classes are better and a lot more fun for the students. Also being taught by a Dive club give you have access to a large pool of dive buddies who are already familiar with your skills.
Win, Win for everybody..... Low cost classes, better divers, and plenty of friends to dive with.
To Error on the side of Safety,
is to Live and Dive Again.
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hammerhead |
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Then you can all get together at the public library (free internet)! Get on ebay and buy y'all some gear!!!!!
I think we should all pass the hat for your entry fee & gas for the Dive Hard competition!!! You can have some of my lunch if you want (i'm not gonna eat all of it)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's okay, just show us on the doll where the P.A.D.I. instructor touched you.
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coustyj |
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Hey I personally know both
PDSLTD and Capt Dale and all I can say is they are worthy of any student WILLING to learn the right way! I have taken my gear to PDSLTD for anual service and have taken many classes from Dale. YOU need to make the choice of who will do YOU the most good and teach YOU the best. Instructors are a dime a dozen good ones are hard to find - find one I will will try him/her.
J Couston
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PDSLTD |
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If students want to access the internet for free, so be it.
If they want to purchase over the internet, so be it.
If they want an affordable Scuba Class, so be it.
That is the market place and the future. The shops can't wimper too much when they are also selling on line themselves. If they can't handle the heat in the kitchen, it's time to get out. If you want to make it worth while to the customer, you need to adjust. Don't complain when a customer stops getting thier equipment serviced because you charge $125.00 + parts for an annual. Drop your price to $65.00 + parts and you'll have them knocking down the doors for service and you'll make it up on volume. (Been there, done it....I serviced over 1500+ Regulators a year when I had my shop) One thing they can't do better than a local dive shop is service, however you have to make it worth while for the customer. When I can send a Reg. to Georgia for service with round trip shipping for under $75.00, Guess where they go ?
Like the local library, the internet is here to stay, adapt. Stop crying because somebody can offer a class cheaper than you. If your smart you'll work with the teaching clubs and get thier stundents into your store to sell your services and encourage them to purchase from you. It's like having a extension of your store and staff without the cost.
To Error on the side of Safety,
is to Live and Dive Again.
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hammerhead |
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Hey Aurora!! Where in the Caribbean are you going?? How long are you gonna be there?
It's okay, just show us on the doll where the P.A.D.I. instructor touched you.
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hammerhead |
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Hey Darrick, it must be hard to sell advertising to the shops when they read rants like this. Aurora go with one of the advertised shops on here,you'll be better off in the long run (you get what you pay for)!! The dive shops that advertise here pay for this site!!! The rest of us just tend to muddy up the water!!!!!!!!!!! I hope you havent been discouraged,it's a great sport!!! There are good shops out there,and good people running them!!!!!
It's okay, just show us on the doll where the P.A.D.I. instructor touched you.
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Aurora |
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Wow! So many choices...so many opinions. It's amazing how one little question got everyone all revved up! Thanks everyone!
As far as when and where...those plans have changed. Destination is either the US Virgin Islands, preferrbly St. Thomas or the Canary Islands, not sure. When, well, probably the fall or winter of 2008. That should give me a little time to get certified.
I guess I'll look into all of these places. How aout snorkeling?
Aurora
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Aurora |
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By the way, I love Hammer Head's replies. LOL Who are you? You seem to know a little about the diving world.
Aurora
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PDSLTD |
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Snorkeling is for between DIves.... : )
To Error on the side of Safety,
is to Live and Dive Again.
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