I am a certified Rescue Diver through PADI. I experienced the Scuba Open Water course vicariously through my wife who took the course and described in detail when she came home. From what she described, the Open Water training was difficult but rewarding. Unfortunately, I think the safety and integrity aspects are lacking and the testing requirements a bit on the severe side.
First, the certification you get is from some agency they are loath to list on the website. It might be there buried somewhere, but after looking for it on several pages and the only description I found being "...an internationally recognized agency..." I gave up. It's not PADI, that's for sure, it might be NAUI. (which is a reputable organization).
I recommend you try swimming 75 feet underwater before you shell out the cash to sign up for this course. It's a nice skill to have, but not really imperative for a beginning scuba diver, IMHO (and the opinion of PADI professionals worldwide). But required for this course.
There seemed to be a theme of the instructor's ego requiring the students be hardcore and face overly difficult challenges during what most professionals would agree should be a fun introduction to the amazing world of scuba diving.
This was a minor eyebrow raiser, but the events on the day the class was supposed to be certified were unacceptable.
They went out in adverse weather, several students were violently motion sick, including my wife who has not had this issue on other vessels previously. The instructor carried on, taking out groups, which came back mostly sick and miserable. Another group not associated with the course went out then returned 5 minutes later, stating the conditions were too tumultuous to continue.
IMHO, it appears that the instructor was committed to continuing the testing despite distressing, adverse and potentially dangerous conditions, based on financial considerations. No refunds or rescheduling were offered. Anyone with a mind for safety over money would have canceled and retested on a day where people were not throwing up all over the boat. This endangerment and distress of others for financial gain is unacceptable, IMHO.
Two stars instead of one since the course leading up to the final test was appropriate, but safety should be #1 always and even just taking the students out and proceeding like that is a bad example to all the beginners, including the ones who managed to power through and get certified.
I'm very thankful this was NOT my introduction to scuba, otherwise I might not have continued on to log 50+ dives all over the world. I highly recommend PADI, and if this is a representation of the ethics and values displayed by other NAUI instructors, I would avoid their organization entirely. read more