Dive Dive Dive!

Wolfgang · 18th July 2006

Hi All,

I am new at this so here goes. A couple of friends and myself are looking to get ourselves certified for a basic diving course and I was wondering if anyone here has any recommandations on who to go to, where to go and of course, the estimated cost of this endeavour.

Any help is very much appreciated.

kthan · 18th July 2006

hi Wolfgang, before the mod of this sub-forum shuts u down (since courses are not u/w photography related), for an open water course which covers theory, pool sessions, tests, cert fees, w/e trip to Malaysia with transfers, accom, equipment and diving ( i.e all in) - about $500. All operators should be ard there as it is a cut-throat industry.

As for who to recommmend, everyone has their favs. just do a google , and speak to a few. pick the one u r most comfy with after TALKING to the instructor......ask about instructor - student ratio....

Eric

Xpose · 18th July 2006

Originally Posted by kthan

hi Wolfgang, before the mod of this sub-forum shuts u down (since courses are not u/w photography related), for an open water course which covers theory, pool sessions, tests, cert fees, w/e trip to Malaysia with transfers, accom, equipment and diving ( i.e all in) - about $500. All operators should be ard there as it is a cut-throat industry.

As for who to recommmend, everyone has their favs. just do a google , and speak to a few. pick the one u r most comfy with after TALKING to the instructor......ask about instructor - student ratio....

Eric

or go for the cheaper alternative........dive in local water......trains you to dive and appreitate the better dive site haha

SniperD · 18th July 2006

Hoohoo! You are picking up the sport? Good for you man!

There's a lot of dive shops around Singapore so you can always check out FINS forum for recommendations.

Gotten my Open Waters in Manado so I can't say who is good but the dive center I always go on dives with (as well as a completion of my Advanced O/W) is MV Seaborne located @ Republic of Singapore Yacht Club

when you got your O/W, give me a call leh, I'm nitrogen starved liao...

Lindy · 19th July 2006

yes!!! dive dive dive, and i'm addicted!!! ya need contacts? i can intro you to my instructor... anyway, its been awhile since i last posted here...

radura · 24th July 2006

I recommend that if you have the time, take a week off (at minimum 4D3N) and head to one of the nearby islands for the course. This means that all confined water and open water sessions are held in the sea. This approach is slightly more expensive. Total to budget about 700 for 1 person (tioman).

For islands that are futher, the transport cost will of course commensurate. (e.g. redang, perhentian)

Just a note, as PADI has recently revised its requirements of charging each student for the original course materials, I paid RM 950 for the course. (it was about RM 850 a year back). Additionally, you might want to take note of the different monsoons and plan your course dates.

Pros:
-Relaxed environment to study, no need to rush from work to the pool.
-Confined water sessions in the sea, so it gives a better experience, plus you get to see more fishes
-If it is a not school holidays, you might have the instructor all to yourself

Cons:
-slightly more expensive
-more time needed

Whichever method you choose, I am positive that you will enjoy yourself!

Cheers!

kctan · 24th July 2006

Diving? That's gonna add to your list of expensive hobbies.

Anyway, there are quite a few around, though some are more interested in your $$$ than whether you can tell a bcd from a dcs.

Anyway, look up Mark or Charles at http://www.mcscuba.com.sg. They're pretty decent. Have fun.

Wolfgang · 26th July 2006

Originally Posted by kctan

Diving? That's gonna add to your list of expensive hobbies.

Hahhaah true true.. but i reckon i will stick to snorkelling for now (due to various reasons such as work commitment and perhaps the purchase of the LX1 or 2?

)

Anyhow guys, thank you so much for your help. I reckon this thread will make a good reference point for me when i am ready to go dive dive dive!

Cheers!
WG

cityofangels · 31st July 2006

I don't think anyone who decided to take the plunge (pun intended) has ever regretted his/her decision to do so (save for the fact that it is indeed another expensive hobby). It is one of those hobbies where taking the first step simply isn't enough. After Open Water, you would want to go to Advance. For me, I am considering whether I should take Rescue Diver.

18th July 2006	#1
Wolfgang Moderator Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Riddle Realms Posts: 5,831	Dive Dive Dive! Hi All, I am new at this so here goes. A couple of friends and myself are looking to get ourselves certified for a basic diving course and I was wondering if anyone here has any recommandations on who to go to, where to go and of course, the estimated cost of this endeavour. Any help is very much appreciated. __________________ -- "High Wired, Dream Sired"

18th July 2006	#2
kthan Senior Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 2,318	Re: Dive Dive Dive! hi Wolfgang, before the mod of this sub-forum shuts u down (since courses are not u/w photography related), for an open water course which covers theory, pool sessions, tests, cert fees, w/e trip to Malaysia with transfers, accom, equipment and diving ( i.e all in) - about $500. All operators should be ard there as it is a cut-throat industry. As for who to recommmend, everyone has their favs. just do a google , and speak to a few. pick the one u r most comfy with after TALKING to the instructor......ask about instructor - student ratio.... Eric

18th July 2006	#4
SniperD Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Behind the viewfinder... Posts: 5,954	Re: Dive Dive Dive! Hoohoo! You are picking up the sport? Good for you man! There's a lot of dive shops around Singapore so you can always check out FINS forum for recommendations. Gotten my Open Waters in Manado so I can't say who is good but the dive center I always go on dives with (as well as a completion of my Advanced O/W) is MV Seaborne located @ Republic of Singapore Yacht Club when you got your O/W, give me a call leh, I'm nitrogen starved liao... __________________ EYE-DEAS

19th July 2006	#5
Lindy Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Under the sea... Posts: 190	Re: Dive Dive Dive! yes!!! dive dive dive, and i'm addicted!!! ya need contacts? i can intro you to my instructor... anyway, its been awhile since i last posted here...

24th July 2006	#6
radura Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 122	Re: Dive Dive Dive! I recommend that if you have the time, take a week off (at minimum 4D3N) and head to one of the nearby islands for the course. This means that all confined water and open water sessions are held in the sea. This approach is slightly more expensive. Total to budget about 700 for 1 person (tioman). For islands that are futher, the transport cost will of course commensurate. (e.g. redang, perhentian) Just a note, as PADI has recently revised its requirements of charging each student for the original course materials, I paid RM 950 for the course. (it was about RM 850 a year back). Additionally, you might want to take note of the different monsoons and plan your course dates. Pros: -Relaxed environment to study, no need to rush from work to the pool. -Confined water sessions in the sea, so it gives a better experience, plus you get to see more fishes -If it is a not school holidays, you might have the instructor all to yourself Cons: -slightly more expensive -more time needed Whichever method you choose, I am positive that you will enjoy yourself! Cheers!

24th July 2006	#7
kctan Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: West Posts: 92	Re: Dive Dive Dive! Diving? That's gonna add to your list of expensive hobbies. Anyway, there are quite a few around, though some are more interested in your $$$ than whether you can tell a bcd from a dcs. Anyway, look up Mark or Charles at http://www.mcscuba.com.sg. They're pretty decent. Have fun.

31st July 2006	#9
cityofangels Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: East-side Posts: 306	Re: Dive Dive Dive! I don't think anyone who decided to take the plunge (pun intended) has ever regretted his/her decision to do so (save for the fact that it is indeed another expensive hobby). It is one of those hobbies where taking the first step simply isn't enough. After Open Water, you would want to go to Advance. For me, I am considering whether I should take Rescue Diver.