We know that people plan to go diving on their vacation or just want to learn Scuba. I would hate to think someone missed out on a chance to go diving because of something we did. 

So we do NOT cancel classes if even one person is in the class. We do sometimes close a class a week out if no one is signed up. This allows our instructors and staff to make plans for that time. I don’t want to make them come in for a class that isn’t happening. That makes them forego a whole weekend they could be out diving themselves.

We know people plan their vacations around our trips.  I know how I would feel if I signed up and the trip got cancelled, especially at the last minute. I would hate to be treated like that. 

We have always had a policy that if there is one person on a trip we will go. We can’t control the weather, airlines, resorts, boats, etc.   Sometimes a deadline comes and if no one is signed up, we may cancel the trip. But again, no one had signed up for the trip nor paid a deposit.  But we WILL NOT cancel a trip if only one person is signed up to go even though we will lose money. 

We choose PADI.  We are certified to teach for 4 different agencies but feel PADI is the best for our divers.  In the US alone, PADI does three times as many certifications as all other agencies combined.  DEL instructors have even completed training dives for other agencies.  PADI instructors are authorized to conduct the training dives for other agencies including:  IDEA, NAUI, PDIC, SSI, & YMCA.  Only a PADI instructor can do PADI training dives.

PADI is the world's largest training agency.  Depending on where you are in the world they do 60% to 95% of all certifications.  ALL PADI courses are college credit approved by ACE.  In some contries, PADI is the only agency teaching scuba.  Anywhere you go, the PADI card is recognized and accepted as the best training in the world.

When you're on the trip of a lifetime is not the time too find out your card is not recognized and you are not diving.  With PADI, that will never happen.

Not at all.  Most of our classes are held on the weekend.  You can do the class & pool sessions in just one weekend.  The Open Water training dives are done in just one more weekend.  All it takes is two weekends start to finish.

If you can't go weekends we dive many days during the week.  We have staff available to dive most days at most times.  During the summer we can start as early as 8 am (too cold before that for you) or as late as 7 pm (still enough daylight for safety).  Springs and fall start a little later in the morning and earlier in the afternoon.

No. 

There are web sites advertising online scuba training for the academic portions.  According to the sites you can do all your bookwork online and then go to ANY dive store or instructor and get your certification.  No matter what agency you go to.

The RSTC (Recreational Scuba Training Council) states that this training has been determined to NOT meet any member agencies' requirements and cannot be accepted as proof of academic or confined water training.  PADI has never accepted this type of training as they cannot verify the quality of the academics.  Either the online site and the students used non-PADI materials or violated Federal copyright laws.  PADI has never allowed any facility or instructor to post the training materials online.

Many agencies have developed online training systems for use by students that have directly enrolled through the agencies website.  In this manner the agency can offer online training while ensuring the content is educationally valid, meets all training requirements, and does not violate copyright laws.

Yes.

Universal Referral is a program where some of hte agencies have agreed to accept referrals from other agencies for the training dives.  One facility does the academic and confined water training.  The student goes to an authorized instructor, even from another agency, and does the training dives.  When the student returns home he receives a certification card from his dive store through their agency.

PADI does not participate in Universal Referral for PADI students.  While the academic and confined water would be done to standards there is no guarantee the dives would be acceptable.  A non-PADI instructor would not know the requiremnts for PADI nor have access to PADI materials, updates, and support.  To maintain quality instruction PADI requires all training be done by PADI certified instructors.  Many instructors for other agencies have chosed to also get a PADI instructor rating to be able to offer PADI training to thier customers.

All PADI instructors are approved to do the dives for other agencies but only PADI instructors can do the dives for PADI students.

Our normal class is limited to eight students.  This is to ensure you get the attention you need to learn scuba.  Sometimes certified divers sit in on a class to refresh skills.  We try to have additional staff anytime there are 6 or more in a class.  If we have to have more that eight in a class we will have two staff minimum, and usualy three staff in the pool with you.

If you really want personalized attention you can take a private class.  We assign you an instructor or instructors to meet your scheduling needs.  Wilt our pool access we can do your class almost anytime; day or night, weekday or weekend, or any combination schedule you choose. 

No.  Only basic water skills are needed.  In fact, we have certified non-swimmers.

The requirements are that for at least 10 minutes you stay in water too deep to stand.  We don't care how you do it.  Swim, float, tread water, just don't use a float aid.

The other requirement is that you swim 200 yerds.  You can use any stroke or combination of storkes, even dog paddle.  There is no time limit other than our staff wanting to get home before midnight.  Really, go at your own pace anyway you can.

One!  As long as there is at least one person in a class we do not cancel.  We know you may have vacation plans based around your scuba certification and we aren't going to ruin your trip by cancelling a class.

We do reserve the right to cancel a class if no one has signed up at least a week in advance.

No.  We issue PADI certifications, the world's largest training agency.  You card is good anywhere in the world and never expires.

We do recommend that if you have not been diving in a while you take a Scuba Review course to brush up on your skills.  Or you can repeat an entire course.  You can look under classes for our Scuba Review or Open Water courses.

No.  We encourage you to buy your basics (mask, fins, snorkle, and boots) but you can rent them for the class.

Some stores require you to buy equipment you do not need or will not use.  We have seen stores require you to purchase weights and a weight belt from them knowing you will not use a weight belt again nor carry your weights on vacation.  We only require the basic items every diver should have fit them exactly.  Mask, fins, snorkle, and boots.  Plus we guarantee the fit and function of anything bouhht at Diving Enterprises, Ltd.  You won't get stuck with unuseable or ill fitting equipment.  There are a few exceptions to this policy but we tell you beforehand.

We include use of the Buoyancy Vest, Regulator, Cylinders, Wetsuit, Weights, & Weight Belt, gear bag, and more in the cost of the course.  You do not have to buy anything else.

Once ceritfied you can certainly purchase equipment if you wish.  Or you have the option of renting equipment for you dives.  Since our equipment is designed to last a lifetime, rental rates are very reasonable.

We haven't had that problem yet.  But if you need to withdraw you can.  However, you may not get a refund.

The instructors are paid per student on contract.  When you sign up for a class you take one spot from a limited number of available spots.  Many times we turn people away from a class as it is filled.  At the time you sign up the store contracts to pay the instructor for your spot, whether you attend or not.  If you withdraw or drop from a class we will try to find a replacement.  If we are able to completely fill the class we will refund your fees less any used materials.  If we are unable to fill the class we may refund part or all of the fee depending on a number of factors.

Note:  If you fail to get a medical release for class, that is not an acceptable reason for dropping a class.  It is your responsibility to get the release if the answer to any of the questions on the medical form is "Yes."  We suggest that you talk to your physician and get the release before signing up for any particular class.

We have scheduled dives after every class.  We guarantee we will be doing training dives somewhere on those dates. 

In addition, we dive almost every weekend.  Last year, between April 20 and November 8 we missed only two weekends.  We had training dives available evey single weekend we were out.  If you can't or don't want to go on the scheduled weekend you can go anytime we are diving.  Sometimew we will have multiple dive sites but only one or two might be taking OW training dives.  Other times we may be able to do the training dives at all the locations.

Just join another set of divers anytime we are going out.

 We dive often.  All of our instructors can do the certification dives for any of our students.  If you can't make the dives with your class just check the website for the next dive that fits your schedule.