OT: Scuba Cert in PDX/Vanc area rec

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1866 Posts XTreme Poster

Got bitten by the dive bug in Bonaire in an intro dive experience. Looking for a good open water course near'ish to Hood River. I can do book work on line. Any good experiences form NWkite folks?

Thanks,
Eric

Weaz · Since 23 May 2012 360 Posts Beaverton Obsessed

I took my open water in Hoods Canal. I don't know of any that do their open water testing in the Columbia due to current and visibility, though there may be some. I know of a couple places in Portland that do most their training in pools, then do the open water exams (typically 2-3 days). My openwater cert was done through Washington State University, and My advanced was done in Los Angeles, CA...

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1866 Posts XTreme Poster

Yeah. Pools in PDX, then to the coast for tests is what I am looking for. I am driving into Portland every Saturday and Monday afternoon/evening for kid's sports so it seems like an opportunity.

Weaz · Since 23 May 2012 360 Posts Beaverton Obsessed

I have NAUI and PADI certs, but if I had a choice it would have been to do PADI the whole way. It's the largest and imho the best. Find a school that does PADI instruction, it's worth it.

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1866 Posts XTreme Poster

Can do. Thanks. My intro dive was PADI and excellent.

Jonpnw · Fri Aug 17, 12 8:07 am

http://www.thunderreef.com/

Bettyboarder · Fri Aug 17, 12 10:46 am

We did our training with Seven Seas Scuba in Vancouver. It was great.

Friday night in the class, sat morning in class then pool in the afternoon, then sunday was a quick class test day followed by diving. The next week we went to Hoods Canal to do our water test. They have a cheap hotel there thats really fun to stay at.

http://sevenseasscuba.com/

alankitesurf2 · Since 21 Jun 2006 81 Posts

I went to Thunder reef years ago and had a good experience... consider doing the pool and classwork there and the open water tests in nice warm water-somewhere like maui ( can combine with some kiting). Costs for the program are about the same but learning the skills in 80 degree water is well worth it compared to the 50 degree water up in the sound. You may think you're used to cold water in the Columbia but much more intense under water and drysuit use is reserved for later because of special skills needed.Thunder reef or Seven seas can set up a program like this for you .

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1866 Posts XTreme Poster

A plan is forming. On-line for PADI book work, followed by pool dives in Vancouver at 7 Seas, or Thunder, with final open water cert dives in warm destination, or perhaps in Hood Canal.

While in Bonaire two years ago on a kiteboarding trip my kids and I did a Discover Scuba dive for something different after 13 straight days of kiting. Liked it so much I asked to do another as soon as we surfaced. Scuba has been on my mind ever since. I really loved it. I didn't really get the dive resort deal until then. I saw lots of families with kids diving together as well.

I need to find out more about the Hood Canal. I guy I work with who has scuba experience all over the World says that the Hood Canal remains one of his favorite spots. I spoke with a couple in Bonaire who also mentioned the Hood Canal as great diving.

Very much appreciate the advice

Eric

forrest · Sat Aug 18, 12 7:47 am

It's pretty amazing to be a fish for a little while. I never did any scuba, but really enjoyed freediving. I'd be pretty stoked to learn scuba as well, and I know people raved about Hood Canal when we lived in Seattle back in 2004.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

Hood Canal was very cool... cool as in really cold, we did it in December Shocked

Seriously though I think as long as you are there when the air temps are 50+ its a great place to do your open water cert. Its way harder diving in cold water with thick suits and heavy weight belts... but as people say "if you can do it here you can do it anywhere."

Then when its time to dive in 80 degree water you'll be legit!

alankitesurf2 · Since 21 Jun 2006 81 Posts

Then off to Fiji for great diving and kiting...the water visibility is much better in the Sound during the late fall and winter months due to algea blooms in the warmer months.

pjc · Since 06 Mar 2005 649 Posts Addicted

At some point the various cards become a little silly, and arguably an excuse to blow money.

Obviously you need the entry level PADI card just to make your plane trip worthwhile. But if that's all that's in your wallet you'll miss out on some good stuff (unless you dive in third world countries where they have a different attitude re: liability Cool

The nitrox card is sweet, there are some dives that just don't work without it, and it's all class work.

The advanced/open-water is also good, and if you do it PacNW it will look more impressive to dive shops (I forget the exact name here)

After that, if you have the scratch, just buy a dry suit and hook up with rec diving groups in the Puget Sound/Seattle/Vanc BC area. Cool stuff to see up there and putting that stuff on your log book will be more fun and probably carry as much weight as some of the sillier courses.

What happens when a boat with a bunch of divers starts to go down?

If they're Navy divers they tread water for 12 hours until rescue arrives.

If they're NAUI divers they all drown.

If they're PADI divers the skipper runs their credit cards one more time, then commences the wreck diving course.