I'm looking for a place, near Alpharetta, to learn and become SCUBA certified this summer. Any ideas?

Alsp, what do I need to own as far as equipment is concerned? And how much do the lessons cost?

Me too. Can anyone recommend a place (Buford, Cumming, Alpharetta)?

I got certified by Lynn Mettler at www.godivingnow.com (http://www.godivingnow.com) . You don't need any equipment, the whole thing is done in 1 weekend, yes, 1 weekend. You do the book work at home prior to the scheduled weekend, take a review and the test on Friday, and do your water dives and checkout on Saturday and Sunday. This was perfect for me and my wife because of our hectic schedules. The cost is $650 which includes everything except food.

Thanks for the tip. Where are they located?

Moving this thread to the Diver's Den forum....

$650 sounds awfully high... I thought you could get certified for ~$250 these days...?

Try Diver's Supply. I think they were around $250.

Diver's Supply
1080 North Cobb Parkway
Marietta, GA 30062-2459
1 770 419 1976

Also, I have all the scuba gear recommended for the certification for sale. I bought the gear fall of last year prior to the class lessons. I used the gear once in the pool. Unfortunately I kept having severe back pain and then back surgery a couple months later which prevented me from completing the course. Now that two of my vertebraes have been altered, I will not be doing any diving.

If anyone is interested in the gear feel free to pm me. I have the mask, snorkel, wet suit, booties, weights and fins. The fins are the new style called split fins. All the gear was bought at Diver's Supply and is top quality.

By the way, diving did not cause my back trouble. I had a large tumor on my spinal cord which required removing. It was in a very difficult spot hence the vertebraes alteration. When they tell you surgery or future paralysis, I pick surgery. I cant see me in a wheelchair.

DIvers supply is great. I really like Jack. Also, I have heard good things about Adventures in Diving in Duluth

nice I'm going to look them up too, I'm very interested in doing this.

Maybe we could get a group discount???

group discount sounds sweet!

im in ive been planning getting certified for quite some time now

Should we keep this thread going & see if we can get enough people interested so that we could possibly get a group discount?

I am seriously interested and if there was a group discount that would be even greater. Does anyone have a good relationship with the owner of one of these places?

We offer a SCUBA program at our school and we use Elements Swim and Dive in Flowery Branch for our advanced open water certification through NAUI. They have been part of our program for many years and are outstanding. If you ask they may give group discounts. They also run trips during the year to Nassau, Costa Rica, Cozumel, Pensacola, Florida Keys, and other locations. Diving is an incredible experience.

Here is their website.
http://lanierscuba.com/ (http://lanierscuba.com/)

Jason

I know there is a large facility in Lawrenceville about 1 mile from 316 and sugarloaf. I think their prices are about $300. Adventure diving in Duluth is suppost to be a great place too.

Check your local community parks department (Here in Gwinnet it is called L.I.F.E.) They usually have cheap classes offered at the YMCA. I was fixing to look into one for my better half since sshe is not against the idea anymore.

I may have some resources in this regard, but I'll have to make a few phonecalls at first. I'm fortunate enough to know some local people with lots of dive experience (incl. two people with over 3,000 dives), and they may be able give me some good advice in this regard.

I'd be interested...I'm also in the Alpharetta area.

Cool- sounds like we're up to about 6 people interested, so far (counting Brandon's wife)

There is a scuba meetup group forming that you can check out. There are people there who want to get certified as well. Atlanta Scuba Divers Meetup (http://scuba.meetup.com/126/)

Thanks for the tip. Where are they located?


They are located across in Roswell. And the $650 includes all gear rental, tanks and fills and all dives

Moving this thread to the Diver's Den forum....

$650 sounds awfully high... I thought you could get certified for ~$250 these days...?


That is an all inclusive price. No buying masks, fins, belts, weights, etc. and paying for a certification dive trip. Other places only charge $XXX but then you have to pay all the other crap as well. The low price is just to get you in the door.

That is an all inclusive price. No buying masks, fins, belts, weights, etc. and paying for a certification dive trip. Other places only charge $XXX but then you have to pay all the other crap as well. The low price is just to get you in the door.

So, KRB, you're saying that for $650 I can get lessons, all the gear I need, and a certification dive trip?

well you get all the gear rented you dont get to keep it.

So, KRB, you're saying that for $650 I can get lessons, all the gear I need, and a certification dive trip?

Basically, the gear is rental for the weekend. I think this is an advantage because you don't buy gear for something that you may not even enjoy. Scuba can be a bit scary if you are claustrophobic or not comfortable in the water. Also, when it comes time to buy gear, you will have a better understanding as the gear choices available. When I decided to purchase equipment, I spent more than I would have if I had bought gear for cert class, but I bought gear that I knew I wouldn't outgrow any time soon. Much like reef tank equipment, it sucks to get something as a quick fix only to find out you really need something better to really enjoy it.

Also, when you decide to buy fins, get split fins. They are far less exhausting on your legs and hips. I bought Tusa xpert zoom fins in the stiffer black compound. They are rigid enough to move me through current and still have the benefit of the split fin design. Try out as many items as possible before you buy. If possible, take another trip and rent gear to try some stuff out. Gear rental is pretty inexpensive and knowledge before you buy is priceless.

If anyone wants to go diving, hit me up.

I've always wanted to do this. I'm in Suwanee.

Guys go to www.scubaatlanta.com They are in Duluth. On Peachtree Industrial. Diane and Scott are the Best!! It's NAUI not PADI!!! Pay Another Dollar In.

Tell them Todd Washowich sent ya

The Class is $150. Books $50. Includes rental stuff and pool time.

You will have to buy your own Mask and Fins. (required to do that anywhere) and you WANT your own stuff.

When you take the class and pass the tests. You do a check out dive. If you do them with Diane. It's $225 for the check outs. If you want to do them somewhere else they will give you the paperwork to have whoever you want to give you the checkouts.

Nowhere better in the state as far as I am concerned.

Todd

That is an all inclusive price. No buying masks, fins, belts, weights, etc. and paying for a certification dive trip. Other places only charge $XXX but then you have to pay all the other crap as well. The low price is just to get you in the door.


Why is mask and fin buying crap? I assume you are taking lessons to learn to dive right? You going to dive in rental crap all your life....

You want and need your own stuff. You know how many suits are peed in??? How about regulators that people throw up into? No way in hell would I ever rent dive gear. How about the last time the gear was serviced? I can go on and on.

Any reputable dive shop would make you buy the essentials to get you into the sport. It has to fit you perfectly.

My 2 cents........I bought the entire setup before I took the first class, but I knew I was going to be a diver...If you are testing the waters....Mask and fins are the basics. Regulator, BC and wetsuits , most dive shops have that included in the cost of the class.


So for Adventures in diving
$150 Class
$50 books
$225 check out dives
$75 Mask
$75 fins

$570 total (this is rough)

And you own the mask and fins....

Now why is the $650 deal better?

I live in Alpharetta part of the time, if we get a group I will come back to get certified with fellow reefers. I already have all the equipment so hopefully it will be a little cheaper that way.

If you want....I will talk to Diane about setting up a group lesson for the club...not sure how many you will have....but I can ask

Well, I've been wanting to certify for a long time, though I don't know I'll have to money any time soon. However, I have a friend in Miami and some other locally who might be kind enough to certify me.

Assuming this happens, my boss (300+ dives) and I decided after our ski trip earlier this year that our next trip will be diving. We will either be going to Gray's Reef (I have family, friends, and housing available in Savannah, so it's convenient, sorta) or down to the Bahamas; we have friends on various islands throughout the region, so we might be able to finagle some hookups, esp. if it's more than just he and I and 2 of our friends.

If you want....I will talk to Diane about setting up a group lesson for the club...not sure how many you will have....but I can ask

Todd if you could do that, that would be great :)

Yeah Todd, check it out. I am really close to them and will probably go by there and talk to them tommorow anyway.

and what's wrong with padi?

At SaltwaterU, Seaventures is a vendor and they have great deals on classes. You can talk to the instructors and see what happens.

and what's wrong with padi?

Personal preference I guess. Investigate the 2. PADI certifies everything!!!!

I mean they have a National Geographic certification for pete's sake.

Basically at NAUI, you get certified for things that PADI would charge you for 3 certifications. More money for them.....PAY ANOTHER DOLLAR IN (PADI)


but nothing wrong with them..like I said, personal preference.

I need to call PADI. I got certified 5 years ago. I have dived many times but it has always been on my own equip with friends that are dive masters. I just remembered, I have not kept up with a log nor did I ever send PADI my stuff to get a PADI card! (Oops...) I wonder if this is going to be a problem if I find my paperwork and send it into them 5 years late!

Oh, buy your own regulator mouth piece, mask and fins (get the shoes + fins, much more comfortable!!!) Tony is right, germ city there. When you know that you love it... Splurge on a BCD and a Regulator. A shorty wetsuit is pretty cheap too...

Kirk, tell me when you want to get a cheap trip going and I am in!!!

So for Adventures in diving
$150 Class
$50 books
$225 check out dives
$75 Mask
$75 fins

$570 total (this is rough)

And you own the mask and fins....

Now why is the $650 deal better?

Don't forget
$20 snorkel
$20 Booties
$59-129 hotel room for the night
$25 weight belt (some dive shops require this)

I would put a good set of fins at over $100 easy as well

oh yeah and on their website it lists $59 for books

That total is pushing the $700 mark

Most shops take five weeks or so to get ready for your cert dives
then you take a weekend trip somewhere for cert dives

and you might not even want to be a diver after doing your cert.

$650 all inclusive done in 1 weekend with no risk of being stuck with gear you don't like, want, or need

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

I knew I was going to be a diver, I am a water baby. My wife on the other hand I wasn't so sure about. She almost gave it up after cert. Thank god I convinced her to try it again in belize. She had an amazing time and is now a diver for life. We own all our gear including tanks now and I enjoyed having the opportunity to try different equipment in the beginning. I was able to make a more educated purchase when the time came.

Also, I agree with the throw up in the reg and pee in the wetsuit thing, but any shop worth doing business with cleans and inspects all their gear before or after each trip. Just do your research and go into each situation knowing what to look for and what to watch out for.

You will need a refresher course. 5 years is along time, and without a card. You can't dive or get air with anyone. You can't dive with your friends forever..How did you get air? They just bring you bottles?

Don't forget $20 snorkel
$20 Booties
$59-129 hotel room for the night
$25 weight belt (some dive shops require this)

I would put a good set of fins at over $100 easy as well

and you might not even want to be a diver after doing your cert.

I knew I was going to be a diver, I am a water baby. My wife on the other hand I wasn't so sure about. She almost gave it up after cert. Thank god I convinced her to try it again in belize. She had an amazing time and is now a diver for life. We own all our gear including tanks now and I enjoyed having the opportunity to try different equipment in the beginning. I was able to make a more educated purchase when the time came.




Also, I agree with the throw up in the reg and pee in the wetsuit thing, but any shop worth doing business with cleans and inspects all their gear before and after each trip. Just do your research and go into each situation knowing what to look for and what to watch out for.

I did forget the booties and snorkel..

If you want to get cerified you have to pay the costs....

However, I did my check out dives in Lake Lanier. No hotel room or costs. Weight belt? My BC is integrated. No weight belt needed. It still puts you at the same costs as the $650 deal...except now you own your stuff.

It's not a cheap hobby, When you decide you want to do it. The full gear will run you $2000 on up. But once you have it, It's yours for life.

Average two tank dive trip will cost ya $85 to $250 a dive. But, once again,

Adventures in Diving will let you dive in the pool for free when they do the skills. If you are iffy, call Daine and tell her. She is wonderful!..

She has to make a living but never forces anyone to buy stuff they do not need or will let you try stuff out.

If you are going to be a diver. You need your own stuff. This is a life and death hobby. You want to know your stuff will work when you are deep on the reef.

DO NOT SKIMP on equipment. BUY the best stuff you can afford.

what happens when you get your full foot pocket fins to start with because you think you will like them more than open heels. Come to find out after training full foot pockets blow and now you have to spend another $150 for the bad *** apollo split fins you really want now that you have some kind of idea about it. Or you get a weight belt because you cant afford a $400 dollar BC at the moment. You decide to buy your own BC, it is weight integrated and you wasted money on a weight belt. Or you get what you think is a good mask, it fits your face and all, but get in the water and the field of vision is crap and it is something you didn't think about while purchasing because you were too worried about fit and being able to squeeze your nose like the salesperson said. More money wasted.

Don't get me wrong. I am sure Diane and everyone else are fine people and are not out to rob you blind. I just think having to purchase gear to try something is foolish. Why not try it without buying potentially the wrong gear. Then, when you know if you like it and what gear works best for you, go spend your money with a good dive shop. Educate yourself first just like in reef keeping. Why buy a maxi-jet just to get started when you really want a closed loop.

I agree with buy the best you can and wait a bit if necessary. There is a big difference between alright and great when it comes to gear. If you are going to dive regularly, you will want the pimp sh*t

www.godivingnow.com (http://www.godivingnow.com) only does certifications, they do not sell gear. They will happily help you make the right decisions about gear purchases without any alterior motive.

I not going to argue the point.

I really don't care. seems like you have done your diving with them so you are loyal to them. Great.

A proper dive shop will determine your needs and swap out your new equipment at no charge. unless what you want cost more. You would have spent it anyway.

If you want to dive with your guys fine. Dive all day long. Have fun...but they are not cheaper than any dive shop certification. The $650 is the same cost as a dive shop. Except you don't own anything. They certify at the same place as 99% of the shops in ATL, Pelham Alabama.

I am sure they are a great place and fun people.

I think the point Todd is trying to make is that if you are going to spend $650 to rent and you can spend the same to buy, then why not buy? If you hate all the equipment, you lost nothing because at the end of the day, you still are out $650! worst case scenario, you can sell the stuff for 1/3 it's value and still come out way ahead.

Having said that, I am sure both places are run well with really nice people. It is good to see such loyalty from both parties. it is rare these days, people seem to jump to the next shop that it offering $1 off :)

Just talked to Diane Harris at Adventures in Diving. If you get a minimum of 5 people. take the CLASS TOGETHER!! She will offer this deal. Tell her you are part of the group I asked about. Mention me, Todd Washowich so she knows the group.

1. Open Water class $125 (save $25)

2. Books are $60 (but if you live together, study together, husband/wife, etc) Share the books..... everyone does not need to have their own unless you want too.

3. The personal gear package is ($199). That is mask, snorkel, fins, boots, the **** weight belt and a gear bag to put it all into.

4. Check out dives are what they are I believe $225. You can ask her.



I believe that adds up to $609 add some tax as well.

But if you are a couple, etc. Its cheaper by $60 because you can share the books.

That my friends is a deal you can not beat anywhere.

so call her if interested, and be serious. If you are ready to do it. DO IT!

Master Diver Todd


Run a list of candidates

If you cant get at least 5, then the deal is back to $150. Still a bargain. You can always share books

Thanks, Master Diver Todd!

That does sound like a pretty sweet deal Todd thanks. My mom actually works at GA Tech @ the CRC (campus recreation center). She told me about the course that they have for certification if I remember it was $250 or $300 but I dont know what that includes. I sent her an email to see if she can gather some information for us. Ill let you guys know later what I find out.

Sounds like we may actually pull this off!

well the spring classes are all booked but check it out anyways http://www.campusrecreation.gatech.edu/ my mom also emailed the instructor or coordinator and she is going to get the schedule in advance for me and I will let you know when the summer classes start. Not a bad price but it still will be around $600 bucks in the end...for me it may be worth it because i can probably get student rate.

Curious..anyone call and sign up?

You will need a refresher course. 5 years is along time, and without a card. You can't dive or get air with anyone. You can't dive with your friends forever..How did you get air? They just bring you bottles?


Ya I know I can not dive without a card forever. Ya a few of my friends own a dive shop or two in Flordia. I can walk in and pick up a tank. Heck one of the dive masters has even put me through the Nitrox training. We have gone spearfishing together for years. It was not till recently (with all this talk about ARC trips) that I even remembered that I needed a PADI card.

Time to become legal my friend..:)

Here is the info for the summer courses at GT

Beginning SCUBA classes for summer/in to fall:

- May 11-13 & 18-20 - this is the class I believe is full
- time is - F - 5:45-9pm, S&S 1-7:30pm

- May 22-June 20 (T class & W pool)
- time is - 6:45-10pm each night

- July 2-July 31 (M class & T pool)
- time is - 6:45-10pm each night

- August 29-September 27 (W class & Th pool)
- time is 6:45-10pm each night

Well.....big hype on this for awhile....are we going to have any new divers on the boards?

you will have one more diver but I am waiting on a bit more funds before I dip in

I'm going to sign up next month. I'll be working 33 days straight starting the 9th, so this month is out of the question.

Anyone else seriously going to get certified?

Yeah, my tank is costing me an arm & a leg right now. Then next month I'm going on vacation, so money will be a little tight for me for a while.

Well? This was hot for a while a bit ago......any new divers?

still working 7 days/week. i think i have about 2 weeks left before i get a day off :(

I am down to learn, if someone starts a list put me on it.

If you wait for this bunch to make a move, you will be 90 before you get certified...why wait? just pull the trigger and do it.....

yeah i decided to quit wasting time and doing this...Chris I will PM you if you are still really interested. I am looking to signup for my course by the end of next week after I decided on which place to get certified at.

Keep us all informed