Watch out

[saffa33]

If you are doing a Multiple Dive Course, make sure to get a Breakdown of the prices in Writing or Email - - Easy Divers - Cyprus. Paid up to MSDT and got OWSI

If this has happened to anybody else..... Let everybody know before they make the same mistake....

[fire diver]

Care to explaing a little more?

Was this a zero to hero course? What was the reasoning for not continuing? Did you get anything in writing (either in English or read with an interpreter)?

[mitsuguy]

I'd like a little more info as well...

For instance, when I did my MSDT stuff, I didn't stay long enough to get all the certs required, though they did provide me with a chance to, and I also earned 5 specialty instructor ratings...

So, did you just not get the certs, or did you not get the specialty ratings, or ???????

[ScubaToys Larry]

Originally Posted by fire diver

Care to explaing a little more?

Was this a zero to hero course?

Ok, he didn't say he got open water diver... he said he became an instructor, and thought he would get Master Scuba Diver Trainer... which basically consists of sending in a fee to Padi so you can teach 5 specialties... (unless it's changed since I was a Padi MSDT) With Naui, we can teach the specialties without extra fees, so I'm not too familiar any more.

So whether this is a case where they did a course, and didn't include the fee to Padi, or what... It's pretty hard to know...

I got an email from ezdivers.com, and I'm going to ask them to share their side of the story.. and hopefully this forum can act as a buffer so people can share their side of the story in a civilized manor and come to a happy resolution to their conflict.

[scubadiver888]

My experience in situations like this is that you don't necessarily need things in writing (unless you think it might go to court) but getting things in writing helps to clarify what you are getting for your money.

I'd say 99% of the time, party A is expecting X and party B is providing Y. After providing Y, party B is often surprised that party A is upset. It becomes really ugly when party A assumes party B is trying to rip them off and party B assumes party A is trying to get more than they paid for.

If you get things in writing and there are no assumptions ,things tend to work out better. But you don't need to get it in writing because you don't trust one another but because you want to be sure everyone is on the same page.

By the way, Larry, I love how diplomatic you are. I really wish ScubaToys was my local dive shop. You're the best.

[fire diver]

Larry, the original post had almost zero information. I was simply asking a question. Said he paid for MSDT and didnt get it. Can't help a person if you don't know the full story.

[saffa33]

Originally Posted by fire diver

Care to explaing a little more?

Was this a zero to hero course? What was the reasoning for not continuing? Did you get anything in writing (either in English or read with an interpreter)?

I requested a price on an internship.

I was AOW and wanted to go EFR to MSDT. I gave them a complete list of the Equipment I would be bringing with me.

I asked for an all inclusive price for everything I needed.
I was given a price of €3000 excluding IDC Crew Pack and was told all other items would be included.... Manuals, equipment etc etc

I did not receive the manuals required by PADI nor the equipment

From The Padi Instructor Manual -
Candidates must have a current version
of these required materials:
• PADI Divemaster Manual*
• RDP – all versions (table and
eRDPML including associated
Instructions for Use booklets)
• The Encyclopedia of Recreational
Diving
• Diving Knowledge Workbook
• Divemaster Slates
• Instructor Guides for programs
PADI Divemasters may conduct:
a. Discover Scuba Diving
b. Discover Snorkeling/Skin
Diver Course
c. Scuba Review/Discover Local Diving

Of this lot I got the Manual and had to pay for an eRDPml and told to buy the rest. To which I refused, as I had paid upfront for all of the items required.

I ended up with OWSI. After I had paid the cash when I got there, I was informed a month into the programme that I would only be getting MSDT PREP. I did 6 specialties (Instructor Level), which are questionable in the way they were done. For example, I have done 1 drysuit dive and have been signed off for Dry Suit Instructor by Easy Divers Course Director who is the person that took me for that dive.

My understanding of it is.... If I request Zero to Hero or Start to Divemaster, I don't get a Preparation for Divemaster.... It includes divemaster.

Doing a QA will not get me anything back.... I will continuously warn people against this kind of practice so that they don't get swindled out of money for trying to join this very large industry.

Name and Shame Easy Divers and any others that ripp people off.

[saffa33]

It gets worse but more about that another time

[mitsuguy]

Originally Posted by saffa33

I asked for an all inclusive price for everything I needed.
I was given a price of €3000 excluding IDC Crew Pack and was told all other items would be included.... Manuals, equipment etc etc

I did not receive the manuals required by PADI nor the equipment
<snip>

I ended up with OWSI. After I had paid the cash when I got there, I was informed a month into the programme that I would only be getting MSDT PREP. I did 6 specialties (Instructor Level), which are questionable in the way they were done. For example, I have done 1 drysuit dive and have been signed off for Dry Suit Instructor by Easy Divers Course Director who is the person that took me for that dive.
<snip>

Doing a QA will not get me anything back.... I will continuously warn people against this kind of practice so that they don't get swindled out of money for trying to join this very large industry.

Name and Shame Easy Divers and any others that ripp people off.

If they promised you materials and you did not receive them, that is a huge violation of trust and I completely agree with you. At the same time, you should report this to PADI as something you think was a violation of standards. It may not get you anything back, but, its kinda like reporting a crime to the police - you may not benefit directly, but, you may save someone else from being robbed...

Now, as much as it sucks to hear, no dive center can guarantee MSDT... To become a MSDT instructor, you need the specialties, plus to teach 25 students... This is usually a miscommunication, or, possibly they misled you to believe that when you walked out, you would already have taught the 25 students. Depending on how busy the shop is/was, 25 students may take months worth of interning (or just a few weeks, depending on number of interns, and regularly staffed instructors). I actually was given the opportunity to stay and finish my 25 certifications to fully earn my MSDT, but I decided against it, left the internship early, and got paid to earn my MSDT... This internship was at one of the top three busiest dive shops in the whole world - there were 4 interns on rotation, and 9 or so regularly staffed instructors - we had new classes starting every day, so, getting the 25 certs was no big deal - this is obviously not the case everywhere...

So, you have your specialties *do YOU feel confident teaching them?* now all ya need to do is get out there and teach... once you've got 25 certifications (EFR doesn't count, and DSD's can only count for 5), then you pay the $55 registration to PADI (online, no need for paperwork on this one)...

Truly sorry this happened to you, but, you definitely need to report it - breaking standards is serious, and from your post, they definitely broke multiple standards...

[fire diver]

I agree that you should talk to PADI about the conduct of the Dive Center.

I think it would be good to hear PADI response to your concerns also.