AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums The Cayes Ambergris Caye PADI instruction help!

IDC center may be the highest qualification under PADI but does not necessarily ensure the highest quality of instruction for open water. Or rather I should say, that because a shop is rated to train instructors does not mean that their entry level instructor(s)/course are obviously superior to that of another shop that is not an IDC center.

The key to learning to dive properly and well, is in finding the *right* qualified instructor for *you*!

First by asking for recommendations (so far so good).

Second by doing your homework, ie: prior research. Do some research to assist you to know which questions to ask and responses to anticipate. Go and meet the instructors at the various operators that you are considering. Observe the manner with which the instructor treats you upon first meeting, in what manner they respond to your questions and how well you understand their answers. Get a feel for which instructor appears the most experienced and safety conscious that you *also* believe *you* will learn from best. You don't want to find yourself in a situation, where the instructor has plenty of experience, knows the material/skills inside out but is unable to effectively impart those to you during your training.

3) Cheapest is not best. That said, most expensive is not necessarily best either. Whoever you end up going with, make sure that they have all of the materials that you need at the time that you need them. Ensure that their gear looks to be quality and in good condition. Ensure that they have (on hand) the necessary forms to complete your paperwork so that you end up with a certification card.

PADI=Put Another Dollar In;)

Don't limit your choices to PADI-only facilities. TDI/SDI has some excellent programs and instructors and there are a lot of old NAUI folks who know their stuff floating around as well.

The most qualified instructors can certify you in any of the agencies, regardless of where you do your classroom/pool work and your open water dives.

Prepare for the PADI onslaught.

I agree with Seashell and CatMotivator. I can speak first hand about the quality of instruction from Protech as my wife and I have personally dove with them, taken a class and have referred many to them that are equally as pleased. They have a great boat and great staff.

Also, their rental equipment is of top quality as it is high grade scubapro equipment ;balanced regulators, weight integrated BC's and dive computers. Rental equipment is replaced every six months as well. Give them a try and you will be pleased. They are also on the ball with the paperwork to process your certification card as well.

Myself, I can not recommend a specific instructor because I have never taken lessons in Belize. That said, from speaking with others there are a few instructors in San Pedro, that are thought of very well. So ask around. You have a while before December to collect names. I'm sure that given enough opportunity within this thread, there will be other posters come forward to give you their positive endorcement of instructors for other ops.

Thank you Protech, Sam Scuba, RobertE, Catatonic and seashell. If this great response is any indication, AG sounds better all the time. Right now it is looking as though I can save on the airfare by going in late November so I may be there quicker than I thought. Any other suggestions are appreciated.

Another two penny worth. PADI is certainly not the only entry-level training organisation, but it does have two big pluses. Its training material and programs are without equal in the dive industry - they're designed by teachers, not just divers. And it is bigger worldwide than all the others put together, which means both that anywhere you go in the world your card will be recognised, and that wherever and whenever you decide to do another course to advance your diving education you won't have to change to another organisation with different dive tables, etc. What you learn at the start of your diving career will still apply years on.

Within PADI, whether a center can teach instructors is perhaps not important at the basic level, though it is an indication of the sort of business it is. Whether it is 5* or not is directly significant, though - check on the PADI website to see what a center has to do to become and remain 5*.

And to reinforce the point, if a dive center isn't listed on the PADI website then it's not a current PADI dive center, period. The same applies with all the other agencies. If a dive center claims otherwise, ask yourself why. PADI rigorously monitors quality and standards and does periodically expel dive centers and individual instructors. You can easily check whether a dive center is recognised from the web site; a PADI instructor must be able to show you a card that carries the word "instructor" or "trainer" (different levels are worded differently) and says s/he is in "active teaching status" for 2004. If he can't, walk away.

There are nonetheless several other training organisations, such as NAUI, SSI, SDI (not TDI - that's for advanced diving only). If you want to learn more about them browse their websites, and maybe visit dive centers near home before you come out here.

One other thought - you say you don't have time to fit in a "Referral" course before you come here. Do bear in mind that you don't have to do everything apart from the final dives - you can break at almost any point. Some people do the individual study of the manual and the "knowledge reviews", plus watch the videos and do the exam, and that's all. When they get to their destination they then do all of the water work. The work you've done at home is signed off by the instructor on paperwork you bring with you. If you do a referral you could then take a few hours checking out likely centers here before choosing one for your four dives.

Another possibility is to select your SP dive center (which takes us back to the start of this thread!), then arrange with them to do all the self-study at home, emailing them or phoning to deal with any queries. Slightly awkward, but still saves on precious resort time - we've had a few people do it this way.

Although I'm associated with one dive operation, I do know of instructors with several different operations who will all teach you very well, safely and enjoyably.