http://www.malaysiadivingcommunity.com/for...?showtopic=2493

you can refer to address above

kekeke.. my account still waiting for approval from admin. i just joined this morning

I just got a quote from one the dive center. RM2000 for the course and 4d/3n at redang. This is confined water training in klang valley first then certification dive at redang.

I went to a few local websites that offers the course at the resort, took a look at their itinerary and it wasn't good. it's 5d/4n but for the whole duration of stay..u spend most of the time going thru the course. and 2-3 dives. but i can say that it's cheap...about RM1500-1800.

ok let me help clarify a bit about the open water diver course offered by PADI for the benefit of everybody. i've not taught SDI for a while so i can't just call it off my brain right now.

the course is divided into 3 segments.

1. Theory Sessions.
Which consists of watching a video, reading the open water diver manual and completing the exercises in the book, 4 quiz and 1 final exam. This can be completed anywhere but it must be completed before the start of the open water dives (refer to No.3, some exceptions are there though)

2. Confined Water Sessions.
This sections must be completed before the Open Water Dives (again there is some exceptions but the 1st session must be done irregardless) This will consists of 5 segments, where you are taught various skills in order to survive in the underwater environment. You will also be taught on what " if's " and how to handle it.

3. Open Water Dives
This is where you employ and show the skills that you have learned in the confined water sessions to the instructor in an open environment (open = non swimming pool like conditions) there are a total of 4 dives in this segment.

So for segments 1 & 2 it can be conducted in town but 3 MUST be conducted in the open sea.

Now many people compare prices, there are a lot of variable to be taken into account. such as the dive centre you are learning with, some might use top of the range equipment, some offer 5 * like resort facilities, some offer the fastest boat in the world. So you actually get what you pay.
First decide on what is a comfortable figure for you. Then go about enquiring with that budget in mind. Again like all travel & living arrangements there is no 1 standard package that fits everybody!

Most important of them all have fun in your training but keep it serious!

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Added on March 11, 2009, 9:58 amNow about the Advanced Open Water Diver course.(AOW)

A common misconception, be it intended or not that i read in this forum is that there is a minimum no of dives 1 needs to do before proceeding to this level.
Then correct answer to that question is NO (with the exception of BSAC Sports Diver)
There is no pre requisite of a minimum no of dives before going for the AOW besides the Open Water Diver certification.

But i personally recommend 1 to do at least 15 dives before going on to do this course.

Now a breakdown on the structure of the course.

There is a total of 5 dives that is required of which 2 is compulsory.

1. Deep Dive
This is one of the main reasons to do the AOW course, you learn of the extra hazards of going deeper and how to manage those hazards.

2. Navigation Dive
You will learn of more advance navigation techniques that is not taught in the open water course.

The remainder 3 dives are chosen from a list of available dives listed by the instructor. But the favorites are wreck dive, night dive, underwater photography, underwater naturalist, drift dive and peak performance buoyancy (PPB).
Note that some of these dives require special equipment, eg. camera, DSMB so there might be extra cost involved. But than again nobody said scuba diving was cheap anyway.

This post has been edited by kimseng: Mar 11 2009, 09:58 AM

Since I can't find enough people for my diving course. Should I take the course at the resort's dive center? Since they can provide the course with just 2 people.

yes i would suggest you do so. most dive operators in the city has a fixed schedule. so unless you can fit it. most of them will not accomodate.

yeah..i would think so too. But doing it in "locally" would be ideal. Taking the course at the resort is too hectic and don't think we would actually enjoy the time there....spend whole day reading and learning.

Any suggestions?

i agree with kimseng. i got a lot of future divers asking me about price of open water and etc. and they compare prices. it is always you get what you pay for. like some dive shop might offer you a course at a very cheap price but you get a few less confined water training which happened to my friend. if you plan to dive go for around market price. which is around rm 950 which is offered in redang. 4d 3n course.. whereby cheaper ones sometimes offered by others are 3d2n course which in my opinion might be dangerous to the student themself when they are certified.

dont rush into advanced OW. get more dive experience as much as you can especially your buoyancy. when you feel a lot more comfortable and confident underwater then only consider for your Advanced. i seen quite a number of advanced divers that is struggling underwater. there is a lot more to learn when you are just open water certified before you go doing your advance which instructors cant really teach. e.g looking for macro creatures underwater, understanding the way your buddies dive, knowing dangerous underwater creatures which are poisonous or might attack you and how to avoid them and etc.

DONT break the diving rules and take safety precautions SERIOUSLY then you'll notice diving is not a dangerous sport or hobby. just relax and enjoy the underwater beauty.

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Added on March 16, 2009, 5:49 pmheya wildchai.

i would usually suggest to do the course in the island itself rather doing confined water in kl as the situation in the sea is different from the pool. yes it may be hectic but at least it prepares you when you're still learning and roughly able to expect what it's like under the sea.

This post has been edited by Shinbo: Mar 16 2009, 05:49 PM

I had taken the discover scuba last time and it went very well. And i loved it. Trying to make arrangements with other dive centers for my schedule.

just got my license last january,even i did my 1st dive at pulau sembilan,near pangkor island on nov last year....got under SSI,n hell yeah,the overall fees just rm580 including 1st open water dive for test (only need to pay for the boat only,rm2++.++)...the gears also included for the lesson n the test for those who dont have any......now the price of the lesson is hiking up,but still below 1k...

plan to take underwater photograph,since i'm now is having fever with photography (but still cant produce nice pic)
plan to go for my next dive....but financial prob,huhu..........

This post has been edited by darkwing54: Mar 18 2009, 03:44 PM

here's an option for you.
you could engage with an instructor here to do the theory lessons. cause the hectic part most of the time is the theory sessions. he/she could sign off a referral form which you would carry to the island to your certifying instructor to complete it.
but bear in mind that the cost incurred will definitely be more in this case.
while you've done the discover scuba diving before you should be some what knowledgeable on what is there to do. so i'd recommend you to do the confined water sessions in the island.

hope this helps you.

Hi,

im a potential new comer......been eyeing scuba diving for a while fun to read the past 4pages....... so basically
there are 2 famous sites

i) malaysianunderwater
ii) malaysiandivingcommunity



last nite during earth hour had some sort of family dinner....so i asked some of my relatives about this.....we were just talking about this...they had taken the license......might follow them in future.....I think scuba i nice with friends.......my gf is also interested in scuba.......now need to hunt for the best price.....and time.....

my Q
1) what month is good for scuba in tioman (i find that mersing is most closed to my hometown)
2) i can swim....but not so good.....I can float.......200meter?hmm....1 x swim pool is how much again?

my target is to do dive around perhentian/pangkor/tioman/bubu/lang tengah before I turn 30 in a few years then only continue other places like sipadan/mabul/great barel reef/ philipines/maldives/carrabians and other nice spots......

regards,
new diver in the making

Hye guys.
Im planning to take Advanced Open Water Diver at Pulau Perhentian.
What choice do i have there,from PADI,SDI etc..
My Open Water license from SDI.


I do some research.But i dont know which 1 should i choose.

1.Anjung Holidays Sdn. Bhd http://www.pulauperhentian.com.my
2.Bubbles Dive Centre & Resort http://www.bubblesdc.com/
3.Flora Bays Diver http://www.florabaydivers.com/v3/aboutus.html

Price is my 2nd priority.
But,what i concern the most is their service.From equipment,chalet,well establish and instructor.
Please recommend me some good place in Perhentian.

This post has been edited by maryjane9996: Mar 30 2009, 03:33 PM

Abdul Chalet among the best chalet at Perhentian Island..highly recommended by tripsadvisor..

1. Perhentian Island Resort
2. Arwana Island Resort
3. SenjaBay Resort

the answer to your questions are as below

1. Season opens usually on March till early October. Tioman is not really much affected because of the bigger boats used in ferry transfers.
2. as long as you can complete the 200m all is fine. and you can use a snorkel, mask and fins to help you complete it.

as to my knowledge there PADI, NAUI and SSI in Perhentian. PADI being the majority of it. SSI is offered by Alu Alu divers, while NAUI is offer by Steffen Sea Sports.
As for the operators you listed i know the owners of 2 & 3 personally. And yes they do offer great service. But i can't comment on the equipment and chalets, as they are very very very personal. I personally don't mind camping in Teluk KK

I can complete around 1 KM..with fin..snorkel and goggle..hehe

good to hear that your kinda fit.
after all you organize snorkeling trips right?
you'll never know when somebody snorkeling with a life jacket gets pulled away by current. and you have to be the hero of the day

Hi guys.
Just got back from Pulau Perhentian for my advance diving license.
What i can say is, awesome.The place is beautiful, food are great and not too expensive compared to Redang.
Ive done Navigation Dive,Peak buoyancy,Deep Dive,Night Dive, and Wreck Dive.
Sugar wreck and Basi deep for my wreck and deep dive.The instructor so friendly,and give us a lot of advice.
And 1 more thing,lots of foreigner having their sun bathing on the beach.Wooohoooo....haha.

Anyone got diving trip can pm me yeah..hehe..Thanks !

This post has been edited by maryjane9996: Apr 12 2009, 11:19 PM

can pm me the details of dive center? any link?

BuBu Long Beach.?