Starting Advanced NAUI class today

[Sasha_K]

Mistery resolved.

The price I paid - $129.00 includes only classrom classess. In addition, after each class there is a 1.5 hours of pool excercies ($10 each = $60). The manual (NAUI Master Scuba Diver, not NAUI advanced scuba diver) came out to $100 (not $50 I was told on the phone). Someone mentioned we are better off that way as the 'advanced' one is apparently useless (I can't confirm this).

After one is done with all this, then you arrange for your 6 open water dives (probably as someone mentioned above) - and this is obviously charged separately. You have one year to do these. I'm not a happy camper as everyone at that LDS has its own version of what needs to be bought and gives me different prices. The only reason I went there was because I got a $150 gift certificate, but I'm pretty sure I'm not going to take my open water dives with them.

[Vercingetorix]

Sasha_K,

Wow...just wow...
It's incredible what some LDS (or any store) will pull to get your money. You was shafted. My AOW at ST was $200. In 2007, they put it on sale for $99. The price included classroom, pool, book, 6 dives.

I'm sorry you've gone through this.

FYI...the AOW book is useless

Then, again, you are talking Canadian dollars. That's what? Twenty bucks?
//I kid...I kid...

[Sasha_K]

Ya, I was shafted big time. I'll wait 'till the course is over, to give them a fair chance to redeem themselves. If not, then I'll post LDS name here :-)

[diver 85]

Originally Posted by Sasha_K

I wish I had known there is no 'open water' component to the advanced NAUI class...I was waiting for 'warmer' weather to do it, as I expected to have another 'open water' test with it. It turns out, you are responsible for this yourself.

Modules Include:
- Night Diving
- Dry-Suit Diving
- Underwater Photography
- Wreck Diving
- Boat Diving
- Search & Recovery

Anything else I need to be aware of? Is there a some kind of written test at the end? I'll be going over my beginners book today to refresh some concepts....

no written test(PADI) that I can remember, but that was in '86......

[russp]

Seems to be a lot diiferent than the AOW course I'm signed up for at Scuba Toys. $99 got me the Advanced (not Master) Open Water materials; book, DVD, SAC Calculator. We do the written test at home and review it in the Monday night class (no pool time), then Saturday and Sunday is for the 6 dives where Scuba Toys supplies scooters, cameras and lift bags for the elective dives along with the required deep, night and navigation dives. The price is a half price special they have been running for a while, seems like it wouldn't even cover the cost of materials and instructors. I guess just more of the great service they provide to build loyal customers.

[digitalman]

There are definately 6 dives requried for NAUI, and 5 for PADI. No test between modules, but you'll review each module before getting in the water. As for pool, I believe this is optional as you can't simulate night easily (turn off lights?) or deep in a 15' pool. You could work on different kick styles and buoyancy in the pool.

[bassplayer]

Hi Sasha K,
I am taking the same course at the same place I believe ...mentioning no names.

While I have enjoyed the advanced class (classroom and pool sessions) and instructors immensely I believe we are definitely getting the shaft.

I just called up groundhogdivers in Kitchener to see if they do the open water component of the course as I didn't want to dive in the Humber again...yuk (almost lost my foot to an infection there)

This LDS offers a (NAUI) 3 day course class and openwater at Tobermory, includes all lessons and ow dives AND accomodation FOR $350 (+/- $25)cant remember the exact figure.
(to our U.S. cousins our prices are generally higher than what you pay)

I am seriously considering this and saying to heck with our LDS

Dave

[plot]

I assume NAUI does it like the rest of the agencies and they don't have an "AOW Class" so to speak, but an "AOW Certification".

A certification requires a certain number of specialties/modules with so many dives... now, some shops offer each specialty/module seperately so you can pick and choose what you want and do them one day at a time and eventually one day you might have the qaulifications for an AOW certification. (ie: deep dive courses, night dives, boat dives, drysuit, etc.).

Now... what most shops do, is bundle togethor the minimum required specialties/modules into an all inclusive course and call it an AOW class, where at the end you've met all the requirements for your AOW certification.

That make any sense?

[NeveSSL]

Originally Posted by plot

I assume NAUI does it like the rest of the agencies and they don't have an "AOW Class" so to speak, but an "AOW Certification".

A certification requires a certain number of specialties/modules with so many dives... now, some shops offer each specialty/module seperately so you can pick and choose what you want and do them one day at a time and eventually one day you might have the qaulifications for an AOW certification. (ie: deep dive courses, night dives, boat dives, drysuit, etc.).

Now... what most shops do, is bundle togethor the minimum required specialties/modules into an all inclusive course and call it an AOW class, where at the end you've met all the requirements for your AOW certification.

That make any sense?

This is how my university class is as well. In fact, at the end of the Spring semester you can take the first 15 week class and go on a central Florida trip and get OW and AOW all in the same shot. Pretty neat! I wish I could have done it.

They also have two other advanced classes that include several certifications each throughout the semester and are about to start offering a cavern class. The awesome part is that after you pay for 12 hours of classes in TN state schools, you don't have to pay any more to add more classes. So the class is free sorta.

Its a really cool way of getting certified and getting experience. Dives every weekend throughout the semester. Gotta love it!

Brandon