SSI Course- Open Water

Experience a Whole New World!

Learn to scuba dive and see up close what most people only ever see in pictures and on TV.  There is so much to explore in the underwater world that you can experience something new every time you dip below the surface.

Why should you choose The Scuba Shop for your scuba certification?
This should be your first question- where should I do my training?  There are several stores offering dive training, and even independent instructors.  So, why The Scuba Shop?  What sets us apart?

• Compare what is included in the price of the course
  We do not go out with the intention of offering the lowest price on Open Water scuba training, and we do not suggest focusing just on price.  However, cost obviously plays a factor in all of our decision making, but be careful to also see what is included and, even more importantly, what is not included in the price when comparing your training options.  At The Scuba Shop we include all of you coursework, plus use of BCD, regulator, wetsuit, tanks, and weights for the duration of the course.  Some stores only include the use of BCD, regulator, tanks, and weights if you purchase your personal gear (mask, fins, and snorkel) from them.  We believe that the use of those items should always be included, regardless of where you purchase your personal gear.  Instead, we offer you a discount on those items should you choose to purchase them from us.  You will need to have your own mask, snorkel, and fins for pool and lake training.
• We are not independent instructors, but a full-service dive shop
  With a store you gain access to more than just an instructor, but equipment and support, and service that only physical stores can offer.
• Indoor heated pool onsite
  We do not use someone’s back yard swimming pool for our pool training.  We also do not need to rent a pool at a natatorium, etc.  We have our own on-site indoor heated pool.  This means that we are not forced to rush the pool training because we must complete the training within the hours that we have been allotted.  This allows us to be very thorough in our training, and move at the speed of the group, including time for practice and general ‘fun time’ during the course.
• Small class sizes mean more one-on-one attention
  As a result of having our own indoor pool, we do not need to have large groups in order to cover the cost of pool rental.  Our maximum class size is 8 students.  In high-season for training we may find that more than 8 people wish to sign up for a specific date.  In these cases we add another pool class for another weekend, or run two separate classes simultaneously.  These small class sizes help to give the instructors more time to work on skill, getting you more comfortable and proficient as a diver.
• What training agency do you use?
  Honestly, the training agency does not matter.  What does matter is the instructor and the shop.  You need to feel comfortable with both.  Now, we do suggest staying with one of the larger training agencies (SSI, SDI, PADI, or NAUI), simply because they are all members of RSTC (the Recreational Scuba Training Council), so all recreational scuba courses you complete will generally be accepted equally, as the Standards are governed by RSTC, and not by the training agency itself.
• We never shortcut!
  We have seen first hand what happens when students have been rushed through training.  Unfortunately, it is more common that you may expect.  That is not suggesting that most instructors take shortcuts, but don’t be afraid to ask questions, even how long their training dives in open water last.  Many do the bare minimum (or, unfortunately, less).  We regularly double the requirements for dive time in Open Water training, as we feel this gives you more practice, and makes you that much better and more comfortable as you head to your first dives without your instructors.
• We never max out our student to instructor ratio
  There are Standards in place stating the maximum student to instructor ratio.  We simply do not consider those as sufficient for our training.  We will have more professionals (instructors, assistant instructors, and divemasters) in the water with the group than required, as we feel this is important in keeping everyone safe and comfortable throughout their training

We love teaching, and sharing the experience of diving, and we feel that shows in every class that we run.  This is also why you will see fewer instructors on our staff- we are a tight-knit group that all have the same excitement for instructing, and we take pride in producing the best possible divers every time we teach a class.  We do not need a large list of instructors, assistant instructors, and divemasters, as those we have love to be involved in the classes, so they help with all of the classes.  Quite simply, we all love to be a part of working with students and seeing them learn to dive, or expand on their dive training, and it shows.

Interested in saving on a bundle pack?  Select our Open Water + Nitrox package and receive two courses for only $50 more!  Click Here for information.

Want to check us and our dive training out before you decide?  Not a problem- Sign up for a Try Scuba class for free!  Just call us and we will sign you up at no cost, and with no further obligations!