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Open Water Dives ~ suggestions? - 2/1/2013 1:29:21 PM
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greenga
Posts: 4225
Joined: 11/3/2008
From: ~ Colorado ~
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Were would you suggest I go for my open water dives to become scuba certified?
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RE: Open Water Dives ~ suggestions? - 2/1/2013 1:51:51 PM
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rpm20
Posts: 91
Joined: 2/11/2009
From: wisconsin........brrrrrr
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i got my open water certification a few years back (at the age of 52)
and completed it through akumal dive shop in akumal
jesus was my instructor there and was intimidating at first but i found him to be very good and caring about my needs.
what i did is i contacted my local dive shop and took the classes, did some of the learning through padi e learning which made things a lot more convenient , i got the books and did the pool work locally then they referred me to akumal dive shop (i chose the shop) and i finished my open water cert. there which consisted of a short classroom time, some in water demo time and 4 ocean dives, which i lengthened to 6 because i loved it so much.
it is now 3 years later and i am now a divemaster and cpr instructor who is working on his open water instructors certificatio. my goal is to become an instructor in my retirement....or sooner. good luck , youll love diving!!!!
any questions you can email me at ron.paulick@hydrite.com
ron paulick rpm20
< Message edited by rpm20 -- 2/1/2013 1:52:41 PM >
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lifes too short.........enjoy
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RE: Open Water Dives ~ suggestions? - 2/1/2013 2:04:11 PM
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greenga
Posts: 4225
Joined: 11/3/2008
From: ~ Colorado ~
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Thanks Ron! I'm doing the e-learning part right now and will do the confined dives here....probably closer to time to do the open water dives in MX this Fall. Where's your favorite place to dive?
(I tried to respond to your PM but it says it's not working or you requested not to receive a pm)
< Message edited by greenga -- 2/1/2013 2:06:42 PM >
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RE: Open Water Dives ~ suggestions? - 2/1/2013 2:10:28 PM
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reefhugger
Posts: 8900
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There's 4 dive businesses in Akumal and others within 20 min drive. They all have their loyal customers and all have certified many divers. The answers you'll get to a question like this will just be everyone telling you who their personal favorite is or who they did their cert with. The best fit for one person isn't always the best fit for another.
I'd talk to an instructor at each of the Akumal shops and see who you feel best with. Unless you're going at a peak holiday time, I would be shocked if they can't book you in for 2 days to get your dives done. Actually, even at a peak time, if you're there for a week they'd be able to schedule you.
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RE: Open Water Dives ~ suggestions? - 2/1/2013 2:13:37 PM
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greenga
Posts: 4225
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From: ~ Colorado ~
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Thanks reef ~ do you have any suggestions for someone who is hearing impaired? Also, I was wondering about the Akumal side vs the Cozumel side.
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RE: Open Water Dives ~ suggestions? - 2/1/2013 5:51:30 PM
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uphillklimber
Posts: 5529
Joined: 2/17/2005
From: Bryant Pond, Maine
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I'm gonna suggest something a little different, having just been on a dive trip and certified for this trip. Get fully certified before you go! That way you can do all fun stuff when you get there. Your dive buddy isn't waiting a day or two or three for you to finish up certification. And it was less than half the cost at home over what it would have been in the BVI. I did it in the Atlantic in November, wear a nice warm wet suit, it really isn't as cold as you'd think, in fact after I became certified I looked at my reg, and had half a tank, they let me go back in with another diver! Work at home, play in the Caribbean!
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Lovin life,
Bob
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RE: Open Water Dives ~ suggestions? - 2/1/2013 5:56:40 PM
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reefhugger
Posts: 8900
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quote:
ORIGINAL: greenga
Thanks reef ~ do you have any suggestions for someone who is hearing impaired? Also, I was wondering about the Akumal side vs the Cozumel side.
Underwater we all use (dive) sign language. 
I'd do check outs in Akumal over Cozumel. Akumal has very minimal current (almost not noticeable most days), and boat rides to the dive sites are 5-10 min max, so you're less likely to have to deal with any sea sickness, if you're prone to that.
I have my fave people to dive with, but I don't like recommending any specific shop anywhere anymore. Just because someone is a good fit for me, doesn't mean that'll be the case for anyone else. There are a few really great instructors in the area. I really would just go meet them, talk with them and then go with whomever you click best with. You could also send out some emails in advance and get a feel that way too.
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RE: Open Water Dives ~ suggestions? - 2/1/2013 10:13:37 PM
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greenga
Posts: 4225
Joined: 11/3/2008
From: ~ Colorado ~
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quote:
ORIGINAL: SchnauzerDog
PS...maybe if we get enough" newbie divers| together we can plan some kind of Adult Akumal Dive Break! :) Seems like there are at least 4 or 5 beginners now. :)
I'm liking that idea!! And YaY for you!!
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RE: Open Water Dives ~ suggestions? - 2/2/2013 1:32:50 PM
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Mike
Posts: 65
Joined: 11/18/2004
From: Colorado Springs, CO
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Our son, Peter, and I did our pool training here in Colorado and our Open Water dives in Cozumel (neither the Blue Hole in NM or Cherry Creek Reservior for OW dives seemed like much fun). For me, the better diving is in Cozumel than the RM, but the diving is still fun and there is plenty to see in Akumal. We have been going to Akumal a couple times a year almost exclusively for the last several years and completed our Advanced Open Water Diver course with Ivan in 2009. My wife (who was fearful of diving at first) completed her Open Water dives with Natalie in 2009. I recognize everyone has their preferences for both dive shops and instructors, but you cn't go wrong with either Natalie or Ivan.
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RE: Open Water Dives ~ suggestions? - 2/2/2013 4:47:20 PM
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SchnauzerDog
Posts: 6351
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quote:
ORIGINAL: FinsUP
quote:
ORIGINAL: greenga
quote:
ORIGINAL: SchnauzerDog
PS...maybe if we get enough" newbie divers| together we can plan some kind of Adult Akumal Dive Break! :) Seems like there are at least 4 or 5 beginners now. :)
I'm liking that idea!! And YaY for you!!
I'm in! My 'dive buddy' abandoned me and any future trips right after we got certified. (I'm still ****ed at her over this....)
Is beginning to mid April a possibility for any of you in Coz?
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RE: Open Water Dives ~ suggestions? - 2/4/2013 12:05:49 AM
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JD
Posts: 537
Joined: 10/26/2004
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quote:
ORIGINAL: rpm20
jesus was my instructor there and was intimidating at first but i found him to be very good and caring about my needs.
I guess I am the only one who chuckled at this line...
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RE: Open Water Dives ~ suggestions? - 2/6/2013 3:40:03 PM
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greenga
Posts: 4225
Joined: 11/3/2008
From: ~ Colorado ~
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What is the difference with Dive With Natalie & Ivan and Akumal Dive Shop?
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RE: Open Water Dives ~ suggestions? - 2/6/2013 3:52:20 PM
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rpm20
Posts: 91
Joined: 2/11/2009
From: wisconsin........brrrrrr
Status: offline
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thanks for the attempt at the pm , my pm is working now.
this vacation my wife will be doing her first ocean dive and we are booked with natalie and ivan and diving out of akumal dive center for that. its a more personal touch as my wife needs a little extra attention.
i will also be diving out of akumal dive shop with the group i usually go with from there so will be diving with both local akumal shops on the beach.
i actually enjoyed getting my cert. finished down there and the referral worked really well for me. pm me if you want more info and if not have a great experience. youll be fine and be a certified diver in no time at all.
rpm20 ron
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lifes too short.........enjoy
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RE: Open Water Dives ~ suggestions? - 2/6/2013 3:55:52 PM
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rpm20
Posts: 91
Joined: 2/11/2009
From: wisconsin........brrrrrr
Status: offline
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the main difference is that natalie and ivan can give you a little more personalized treatment as they take only small groups and can tailor the dive to you and your needs, whereas the akumal dive shop is larger and has more grops and individuals going at one time.
does that help answer your questions.? actually i would have noo problem with either but i did my referral at akumal dive shop.
ron
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lifes too short.........enjoy
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Printable Version
... I'll do it here in Akumal. As RH said... get a feel for the instructor you feel follows your philosophy and meets your needs. You'll be most comfortable with a person you trust completely. 
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) and I'll start asking them some questions.
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