Dive Schools
- Thread starter teerex
- Start date
Best place to ask about dive schools in S'pore... http://scubasg.com/
I didn't do my PADI in S'pore... so, course time could be difference. But most places... it will be 2-3 theory lesson in the classroom follow by a test. 2 pool dive or more (more if you need practice) at Outram Sec School.... then 2 Open Water dive. For S'pore Open Water (OW)... will be done in Hantu. If done in Malaysia (recommended)... will be either Tioman, Aur or Dayang... Aur or Dayany is recommended over Tioman. If I'm not wrong.... if you do your OW in Malaysia, you'll have more than 2 OW dive... since you could join the rest of the divers after passing your course.
I didn't do my PADI in S'pore... so, course time could be difference. But most places... it will be 2-3 theory lesson in the classroom follow by a test. 2 pool dive or more (more if you need practice) at Outram Sec School.... then 2 Open Water dive. For S'pore Open Water (OW)... will be done in Hantu. If done in Malaysia (recommended)... will be either Tioman, Aur or Dayang... Aur or Dayany is recommended over Tioman. If I'm not wrong.... if you do your OW in Malaysia, you'll have more than 2 OW dive... since you could join the rest of the divers after passing your course.
Depending on which certifying agency you are certifying under. A typical entry level diving course will comprise the following:
2 Theory Lesson (4 hours each) or 1 theory lesson (6 to 8 hours each)
2 Pool Training (4 hours each) or 1 pool Lesson (6 to 8 hours)
1 Certification Trip (2D2N) (2 to 4/5 openwater dives depending on the agency you are certifying under and the certification)
If i remember correctly, PADI has 2 entry level certifiation. Scuba Diver is 2 openwater dives, Openwater diver is 4 openwater dives. May be some PADI instructor can advise more on this.
For SSI, the openwater certification will have 4 or 5 dives
2 Theory Lesson (4 hours each) or 1 theory lesson (6 to 8 hours each)
2 Pool Training (4 hours each) or 1 pool Lesson (6 to 8 hours)
1 Certification Trip (2D2N) (2 to 4/5 openwater dives depending on the agency you are certifying under and the certification)
If i remember correctly, PADI has 2 entry level certifiation. Scuba Diver is 2 openwater dives, Openwater diver is 4 openwater dives. May be some PADI instructor can advise more on this.
For SSI, the openwater certification will have 4 or 5 dives
PADI syllabus is theory class, about 3-6 hours, followed by 4 confined water dives (pool), which can be completed in about 6 hours, followed by 4 open water dives in the sea.
some places cut corners and certify divers within 3 open water dives, some even 2. of course, the students don't know any better because they just do all the skills the instructor tells them to.
http://scuba.about.com/od/certificationopenwater/a/owskills.htm
See how many of these skills you have done when doing your open water course? Some of the skills have 2 techniques so can be considered as 2 skills too.
some places cut corners and certify divers within 3 open water dives, some even 2. of course, the students don't know any better because they just do all the skills the instructor tells them to.
http://scuba.about.com/od/certificationopenwater/a/owskills.htm
See how many of these skills you have done when doing your open water course? Some of the skills have 2 techniques so can be considered as 2 skills too.
I did my PADI Open Water about a couple years back with Sunny Cove.
Theory lessons was flexible in that you can choose to self-study or go down to the school for lessons.
I chose to self-study and only went down to the school to take the written test to save time.
As for confined pool session, if I remember correctly it was done in one day, a week before the trip up to Tioman.
And at Tioman, we had a total of 5 dives (3 on the first day, 2 on the second), of which I think 3 had skills to be tested on.
There were 7 of us to 1 instructor and 1 divemaster.
So far, I have only gone diving with two schools (did my Advanced with another), I would say I preferred my experience with Sunny Cove more.
Perhaps because the instructor and divemaster inspired more confidence in the way they handled themselves. They gave me the feeling that they were more steady and experienced, and knew what they were doing.
Theory lessons was flexible in that you can choose to self-study or go down to the school for lessons.
I chose to self-study and only went down to the school to take the written test to save time.
As for confined pool session, if I remember correctly it was done in one day, a week before the trip up to Tioman.
And at Tioman, we had a total of 5 dives (3 on the first day, 2 on the second), of which I think 3 had skills to be tested on.
There were 7 of us to 1 instructor and 1 divemaster.
So far, I have only gone diving with two schools (did my Advanced with another), I would say I preferred my experience with Sunny Cove more.
Perhaps because the instructor and divemaster inspired more confidence in the way they handled themselves. They gave me the feeling that they were more steady and experienced, and knew what they were doing.
Pay attention to the 'fine' detail regarding the package its like buying gears from SLS, somethings, certain parts might go missing. :thumbsd:
Things like -
* Is the dive gears included ?
* Is the course manual included, a 'must buy', can rent, can borrow etc
* Any other hidden charges
Recently got newbies at the other website complaining of bad sale practice by a certain dive school he got the course cheap but he was made to buy the reading material from the centre no borrowing from friends are allowed :thumbsd:
PS demand to know the student to instructor ratio. 4:1 or less would be the best.
do remember that as the number of students in a group decrease, the cost will normally go up.
Also, an instructor can take up to 6 students alone and an additional 2 with an assistant.
If you go malaysia for the open water dives, some schools do a night stay in mersing before departing for the islands, some depart immediately and u sleep on the boat when heading out at night.
Some schools share boats with others, some have their own boats.
Also check out whether meals are included. For Aur and Dayang, the package should include meals.
All these affects the costs of the course.
Happy hunting for packages. Too cheap also no good... haha
Also, an instructor can take up to 6 students alone and an additional 2 with an assistant.
If you go malaysia for the open water dives, some schools do a night stay in mersing before departing for the islands, some depart immediately and u sleep on the boat when heading out at night.
Some schools share boats with others, some have their own boats.
Also check out whether meals are included. For Aur and Dayang, the package should include meals.
All these affects the costs of the course.
Happy hunting for packages. Too cheap also no good... haha
Cost is around $380 to $5xx.... but like we said... its the 'fine detail' you have to look out for.
Doing your Open Water in Hantu will be the cheapest.... but for newbie, I don't recommend your 1st Open Water experience to be limited to 5-7 metres of visibility... on a good day. Tioman, Aur or Dayang would be a better experience.... but of course, the cost of the package would go up.
Just remember the old saying.... Cheap Isn't Always Good.... :think:
r0n1n
Senior Member
thanks!
The reason why a Dive Instructor from Bali, was stupid enough to bring 2 newbie divers to dive at Blue Corner a site where even seasoned divers sometime have difficulty ending up killing both of them :nono:
Like all type of industry theres always some black sheep out to fleeces tourist :thumbsd:
naldojapardy
New Member
My instructor(he holds both PADI&SSI) told me PADI regulation said that students must buy the reading materials while SSI make sure that the dive centre have book loan available when students opt to not buy the books. Dunno how far is this true, or maybe a lot of dive centre choose to ignore PADI's regulation, but that might be the reason behind the 'must buy' case you mentioned.
But yeah, a good dive center will mention what the price includes and what is compulsory.
Reason $$$ :sweat:
Just a simple question to all divers here after passing your OW or AOW how many of you still take out the book to read/review/revised ?? Lets face it if I need to look up some facts regarding some Scuba Diving rules or facts the Internet have better and more up to date information then a old book.
Anyway these are things you'll have to look out for
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