SCUBA certification (Woodbridge, Occoquan: home, camping, live in)

[Dubheasa]

I live in Woodbridge and am interested in learning to SCUBA dive. Any recommendations on who offers the best classes in NOVA, and/or the best dive shops?

[oneasterisk]

No experience with them, but I remember them from a local news story: Patriot Scuba Home Page

They're in Occoquan so very close to Woodbridge.

[jillabean]

I did all my certification in California, but I've used The Dive Shop at PanAm shopping center for equipment service a lot and have never had any complaints. The best thing to do is make sure whatever shop you have offers certification and has certified instructors. Common certifications include PADI, NAUI, TDI, SSI (there are others too, but those are the ones you see most I think).

There is an SSI dive shop in Woodbridge: Woodbridge SCUBA. The Dive Shop The Dive Shop - Northern Virginia is PADI.

Personally, most of my certification is Naui, so I have no preference between the two certifications listed above.

Have fun and be safe !

[z28lt1]

I've dealt with and taken various classes with a handful of the shops around. Unfortunately, my experience is that the class is very dependent upon 1) the student's desire to learn and 2) the quality of the instructor. #2 is what you are asking about and I've noticed it has varied between instructors at the same shop. So, I would pick a shop that has a class schedule you like, I have not heard of a BAD shop in the area. In theory, the course work between shops with the same certification agency (PADI, or NAUI or SDI, etc) should be the same.

The other item that will affect your satisfaction is where you do your check-out dives. You can do it on a dive trip, or more commonly in one of the three area dive spots. Millbrook quary is the closest and most common, but probably least enjoyable. Other options that local dive shops use are Dutch Spings and Lake Rawlings, both usually involving camping at least one night. I would visit a few shops, get a feel for what you are comfortable with in terms of people and schedule and go from there.

Sorry to not have a specific recommendation, the few I deal with were all varying degrees of good.

[z28lt1]

Originally Posted by jillabean

I did all my certification in California, but I've used The Dive Shop at PanAm shopping center for equipment service a lot and have never had any complaints. The best thing to do is make sure whatever shop you have offers certification and has certified instructors. Common certifications include PADI, NAUI, TDI, SSI (there are others too, but those are the ones you see most I think).

There is an SSI dive shop in Woodbridge: Woodbridge SCUBA. The Dive Shop The Dive Shop - Northern Virginia is PADI.

Personally, most of my certification is Naui, so I have no preference between the two certifications listed above.

Have fun and be safe !

I was typing my reply when jillabean posted. Sorry for any duplicate information. When I did my Nitrox class at The Dive Shop jillabean posted, it was anSDI class, but I see they offer more PADI classes now. One think to consider, I don't think it matters too much what recognized agency you use, in terms of quality of work, but if you think you may continue to be interested in SCUBA, I recommend PADI because they are more common in this area, and if you choose to do advance certifications, it will be easier to stay with one certification agency. I'll probably have to redo the Nitrox class eventually if I want to use it as one of the specialties towards master scuba diver.

[GoHokiesGo]

As mentioned, most of the widely recognized organizations will teach you the same skills and requirements, but I'd also recommend going with the PADI organization. They've been by far the most common certification type in the places I've gone diving - parts of the US, Caribbean, and Red Sea.

I did my certifications with a PADI class (through the Scuba club at Virginia Tech), but have gone diving with a few people from other groups that were plenty competent. I would recommend finding a shop/group that will take the time to go through a full class with you, as opposed to one of those quick resort course/weekend certifications. If all of your dives go well, you should never have to use any of the emergency skills you learn during your courses; however, you want to be well trained to know that you and/or your buddy will know what to do should a situation arise.

No other real comments, other than I hope you enjoy the class! Scuba has been one of the best hobbies I've picked up, and I love to go every chance I get. It opens up a whole new world underwater.

[ibecowtippin]

If you are in Woodbridge, drop by the Chinn Aquatics center. There are flyers in the information area about classes being taught at the pool. Last I saw, $500 a person. My wife and I thought about it as we vacation in Hawaii, but for two of us, it's about 1/4 of the cost of us going to Hawaii for a week, didn't pass our cost analysis.