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Scuba diving

Its a total dream of mine to go scuba diving. Im sure some of you on here have done it or have certs for it. Anyone have any info on how to go about getting the certification or any websites you can pass my way. Thanks!
 

redfishbluefish

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
I was certified in the late 60's using the New Brunswick YMCA pool, which is now gone. I know nothing about THIS place, but believe it's the closest to you. They use the Y in Rahway for their classes.
 
You can do a lot online now, check out the PADI web site. Basically, you do class room work, pool time and then an open water test.
 
Hey....I have been diving for 6 years. Just got back from my honeymoon in the Maldives....you can see pics and videos that I posted here in Open Water.

There are 2 ways to go about getting certified....find a local dive shop to you that does classes. You will do all the classroom and pool work with them as well as your checkout dives. Or if you prefer you can go to www.padi.com and take the classroom portion online. You will then go to your local shop to do just the pool work and checkout dives.

The checkout dives around here are normally up at Dutch Springs in Bethlehem, PA. Dutch is basically a right of passage for all divers on the East Coast :) But if you have a trip planned to somewhere nice and warm, the shop can give you a referral for you to do your checkout dives there.

The shop I use is in Voorhees...The Dive Shop, www.thediveshopnj.com. Friendliest people out there....and I help cover the store every once in a while.

Diving is by far the best hobby/sport I have ever gotten into! It is worth every penny!
 
Hey....I have been diving for 6 years. Just got back from my honeymoon in the Maldives....you can see pics and videos that I posted here in Open Water.

There are 2 ways to go about getting certified....find a local dive shop to you that does classes. You will do all the classroom and pool work with them as well as your checkout dives. Or if you prefer you can go to www.padi.com and take the classroom portion online. You will then go to your local shop to do just the pool work and checkout dives.

The checkout dives around here are normally up at Dutch Springs in Bethlehem, PA. Dutch is basically a right of passage for all divers on the East Coast :) But if you have a trip planned to somewhere nice and warm, the shop can give you a referral for you to do your checkout dives there.

The shop I use is in Voorhees...The Dive Shop, www.thediveshopnj.com. Friendliest people out there....and I help cover the store every once in a while.

Diving is by far the best hobby/sport I have ever gotten into! It is worth every penny!

Thanks for the info! I definitely want to do this.
 
I think the costs will really depend on where you go and how much of the gear you rent vs buy. I would definitely do as much as you can up in this area prior to going on any sort of trip. Best to get it all done first then travel to a nice place in the Caribbean or the Pacific.
 
I think 350-450 for the class and open water certification...my wife and I got ours in Bonaire and then recently we did refresher at Dosils was 100 each for refresher.
 
From start to finish...classes, personal gear, checkout dives and open water certification...it will be about $800-$1,200.

If you want to take a ride to Voorhees let me know and I'll get you hooked up.
 

kevin

NJRC Member
I started mine in Jamaica a few years ago on my Honeymoon. I finished with The Dive Shop when I got back.
I also heard good things about http://njoceanexplorers.com/ which is in woodbridge right by you. My friend got certified by them
 
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