Choosing a scuba diving class is not the same as shopping for an item in a supermarket. There are many things to consider when deciding who’s going to be your diving instructor. Also, figure out your principal plan for learning scuba diving.
Finding the Best Dive Location
Before you get the right dive school, you need to determine your ideal diving location to learn the skill. There are many scuba diving sites in the world, but it all comes down to your preferences. Whether you want a diving experience in salty or freshwater is entirely up to you. Some diving courses are short and intense, while others are more relaxed. Maybe you prefer the tropics with warm waters. The corals and fish are spectacular, while the blue waters are so inviting that you will want to dive in immediately. But it is crucial to try cold, murky lake to diversify your experience. If you can cope with less comfortable conditions, then you can go to any scuba diving sites. Arguably, it is best to learn diving in the most challenging conditions with lessons going for six weeks. But a few people find it easier to learn in calm and warm tropical waters during their first week. Ultimately, the best dive location depends on the teaching capability of your instructor plus your ambitions.
Things You Should Ask the Diving Instructor
• Why they are passionate about diving
• Their experience level and the number of divers they have certified
• The agencies they have affiliations with
• Their certification
• What’s the size of the diving class
• The kind of kicking techniques they teach
• The length of the learning process and what it entails
• Whether one instructor will teach you throughout the course
• The condition of the dive equipment
It is also good to find out how well the instructor communicates with the students. Is s/he patient, and do they instill confidence? You may ask for the contacts of recently graduated divers. A reliable instructor should not have a problem giving out the references. The size of the diving class determines the level of interaction an instructor has with their students. If there are assistant instructors, note their qualifications in dive control so that you are in good hands.
Do Online Reviews Count?
Online reviews can reveal a lot about a diving school or instructor. They are some of the most reliable tools when searching for diving lessons online since they have an opinion from people who have gone through what you are about to do. Examples of review sites include Rate Your Dive, Google+, Facebook, and TripAdvisor. Beware that everyone is entitled to an opinion. Some people can give negative comments out of pettiness and spite. The best advice is to take the testimonials with a grain of salt. Take the difference between positive and negative reviews, and if the majority is good, you can be confident in choosing a particular instructor or diving school.
A recognized training institution should have certified dive masters. The instructors must be actively involved in teaching diving. Confirm this from their training institution and ask for their credentials.
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