As I stated in the other forum....planning a trip to the Upper Keys third weekend in March..(but can fluctuate)..

Gauging Interest.....if any?

But I am going...

I might be interested. Keep me posted

I'll already be there working weekends, I can get discounts on a few boats.

Chris I will get ahold of you when I get there.. I need some easy dives for my daughter...any suggestions..This will be her first ocean dives.

Todd

DID SOMEONE SAY DISCOUNTS???? hmmm

sounds like a fun trip... i wont be able to make it, but let me know for the next one... im going to try and get certified and then take my dad diving for a surprise present because he hasnt gone in years and he doesnt know anyone else that dives around here... maybe i'll get him on this forum...

I am all for setting up a trip for multiple people....

so just wondering if anyone has any recommendations for diving certifiers around here/ costs? the only one i know about is the on over by sprayberry highschool

My favorite people..

www.scubaatlanta.com (http://www.scubaatlanta.com)

Tell Todd sent ya.

so just wondering if anyone has any recommendations for diving certifiers around here/ costs? the only one i know about is the on over by sprayberry highschool

certifying is cheap..$150.. then the check out dives cost around $225 or so...

If you don't have your own gear...rental..figure $75 for the class.

But you will want your own gear..Then add $2000. but then you dive whenever you want with your stuff..

Highly recommended.

Wow $2000. is that for like the best of the best stuff?

You're typically required to buy mask, snorkel, fins and boots to take the class. Expect to spend $200-350 for the above items plus the cost of the class and checkout dives (Todd's estimate of checkout dives around $200-300 is fairly accurate). Most places give you a discount on class cost if you buy your mask/snorkel/fins from them.
Depending on how much diving you're planning on doing buying all your own gear isn't really a necessity starting out. 98% of the diving resorts out there have rental gear available for a reasonable price. The first piece of equipment I bought was a regulator... I wasn't much on the idea of breathing thru something that could of been potentially thrown up in by the diver that rented it before me.

Tony is correct...The $2000 is based on buying a regulator, a BC with your backup regulator, a dive computer, fins, snorkel, masks, wetsuits, dive bag..

The whole thing...

If you are getting certified...I would assume you want to dive..right? I would assume it would become a full time hobby...I wanted to be familiar with my own equipment, know it's history, know it's been properly serviced. etc.

It's is an investment into your hobby..Like buying a chiller, Do you need one? NO...are you better off with one...Hell yes!

Invest at your own pace..If you really want to dive...you will get your own stuff.

Dive on!

Wow $2000. is that for like the best of the best stuff?

What's your life worth? I am not diving with sh*ty equipment..

Tony is correct...The $2000 is based on buying a regulator, a BC with your backup regulator, a dive computer, fins, snorkel, masks, wetsuits, dive bag..

The whole thing...

If you are getting certified...I would assume you want to dive..right? I would assume it would become a full time hobby...I wanted to be familiar with my own equipment, know it's history, know it's been properly serviced. etc.

It's is an investment into your hobby..Like buying a chiller, Do you need one? NO...are you better off with one...Hell yes!

Invest at your own pace..If you really want to dive...you will get your own stuff.

Dive on!

I agree with everything except about the chiller! I needed one!:thumbs: . I must say I would LOVE to dive. But I cannot afford it and my parents cannot afford it either. At least not right now.

Well I have been diving for 3 years now..I am 44...I always wanted to dive..ALWAYS..

You can't do or get everything at once. I tell my children this everyday. Life experience comes at a slow and appreciated pace..You will dive someday if the passion is there...for me it took 41 years.

So when that time comes. You will be ready and appreciate the experience even more.

That's why reef tanks are a great hobby....It teaches you to enjoy life at a slow pace....savor the journey.

All of that is true, I have a LONG time to still do it. Now back to the original topic!

so just wondering if anyone has any recommendations for diving certifiers around here/ costs? the only one i know about is the on over by sprayberry highschool

I got certified by a local company, GoDivingNow (http://www.godivingnow.com). I chose them because you get certified in a single weekend. Also, the cost of the class is all inclusive, $650. That covers gear rental, class sessions, tank fills, park fees, and cert dives. The guys name is Lynn Mettler and he was great. I also did my nitrox cert with him.

I am all for setting up a trip for multiple people....


I am up for a trip for the third weekend in March. Maybe do 3-4 days in the Keys?

I just did my advanced certification and nitrox through divers supply (http://www.divers-supply.com). They are great. They do local trips and only charge you for classwork and books (nothing extra for checkout dives except what the quary or park requires).

They have 2 locations in metro ATL. One in Marietta (highway 41 just north of Dobbins) and one in Doraville (I-85 access road near pleasantdale).

wondering how they make any money? Never heard of free checkout dives...once you are open water certified, yes..like your advanced and nitrox. You sure no cost for the Open Water though?

must a catch somewhere?

Todd, what dates are you looking into? I am game dependente on the dates

wondering how they make any money? Never heard of free checkout dives...once you are open water certified, yes..like your advanced and nitrox. You sure no cost for the Open Water though?

must a catch somewhere?

I thought it was that way for all of their dives... b/c I got my advanced through them. They do charge something for their checkout dives, I called. Anyway... it is still cheap.

I got my certification at the Dive Shop by Sprayberry. I really liked the fact that they had their own pool to practice. Nice people.