PADI certification?

[BIGgourami]

anybody been certified?

about how muh can i expect to pay for lessions and gear if i have to buy it?

$1000?


would you think work would pay for this if it was a requirement for employment? would it be tax- deductable at least?

 

[benzjamin13]

I was certified by NAUI. From what I hear, it cost a lot now a days. I remember I paid $350 for the books, and $200 for the Dives (I got a boat dive and a beach dive), and I bought my own gear which ran me over a grand, but depending on the company, they may pay for it, they may not. More likely, they will not pay for it, but you can deduct it from your taxes. The only thing I regret buying was the tank. I don't go diving enough and you have to get your tank inspected every year and get it tested every 5 years. It's just something that's kind of a waste of money if you don't go enough, but I do enjoy having my owe gear. The tank you can always rent. But if you're using it for work, you'll probably want your own tank unless your job provides it for you. Hopes this helps.

 

[Onion01]

I am SSI certified. I did it through my university, so it was free. But I still spent around $400-500 total for all equipment and boat rentals

 

[BIGgourami]

hmm... well i'd be through rainforest cafe.. im applying to be a diver for their show tanks.. only problem is i need to dive

so yeah i'll call the fish lady there and see what i can work out.. i'd be diving daily so i think it'd get some good use out of the tanks...

hell maybe they have equip' i can use and just rent it for cerification...

update to come tommorow

 

[Kitiara]

I did the PADI Open Water certification (the first course) - that cost $200Au and bought my own gear ($1500AU for mostly good second hand gear) I did the course March 2007 and have been putting gear together since. I have 2 wetsuits (different thicknesses) and 2 dive tanks and the normal regs, computer, etc, etc

Diving is certainly not cheap...