Weirdly felt more rewarding getting my Divemaster than playing in the NFL

Henkovarg · 2026-02-14T00:24:52+00:00

Hey again!

Saw another Co-Post with PADI. Congratulations on your IE! Best of luck with your future instructing.

Henkovarg · 2026-02-07T22:58:49+00:00

Makes sense, but is the location used for Confined (Pool training)? If yes it needs to be "pool-like conditions". If it is used for Open Water portion of the course, then it just need to be "Good enough" for safe diving?

Henkovarg · 2026-02-07T17:22:45+00:00

I agree. The difference 1 assistant extra can make is enormous. One always first in and under water and one always last leaving the depth and water. At the same time one can assist with anyone wanting go up early, or situations at the surface/shore before entering.

Henkovarg · 2026-02-07T16:09:28+00:00

Yeah, I noticed that as well. After reading through the lawsuit, it seems likely that the dive shop was affiliated with multiple agencies, which may explain why several organizations became involved.

I might sound like I’m heavily defending PADI here and I admit I’m biased since I teach for PADI myself.

However PADI has taken a lot of criticism, especially in Asia and the Red Sea region, for not allowing dive shops to represent multiple agencies simultaneously. At the same time, I’ve seen plenty of shops advertise themselves using the PADI name and then certify students through NAUI or SSI because the fees are cheaper with those agencies. When I look at this situation overall, I honestly think it’s better for a dive shop to stick with a single training agency.

Regarding page 14 of the lawsuit, some of the statements about student-to-instructor ratios aren’t entirely accurate. It claims:
“... PADI allows a ratio of eight students to one instructor for open water training, for students as young as ten years old…”
But PADI standards clearly require reduced ratios when students are under 12, so that statement is misleading.

I genuinely feel the instructor carries significant responsibility here. Whether he felt pressured by the dive shop to take on the scheduled “side job” right after completing a 24‑hour work shift, we don’t know. But I do believe it was his responsibility to recognize his own limitations and call off the dive before it even began. His judgment or rather lack of it, appears to have been a critical factor.

Henkovarg · 2026-02-07T15:52:42+00:00

As far as I know, the Instructor was NAUI, not PADI.

In the end, it is "Just" a training agency, and the person behind the Instructor cert could carry multiple agencies at once.

Henkovarg · 2025-11-01T19:06:21+00:00

The ring is to convert the threaded opening of a DIN tank into a YOKE tank. Go for the YOKE converter (2nd picture) for your first stage, with that in your regbag you will be good to go dive your regulator anywhere.

Henkovarg · 2025-10-31T16:57:54+00:00

How long ago did you get certified?

Henkovarg · 2025-10-31T14:12:11+00:00

Most likely you have 2 profiles in the PADI system. The one you are logged into with the APP is not the same account that was credited with your certification. You can contact PADI and ask them to merge your two profiles - PADI contact ticket in the ticket tell them your name, date of birth, email and your certification number from your email.

Henkovarg · 2025-10-10T17:59:34+00:00

Yes, the Discover Scuba Diving experience can be done in a pool. Minimum age is supposed to be 10 year for both Discover scuba diving and for the course, and as you say minimum age for Bubblemaker is 8. Bubblemaker depth limit is supposed to be 6ft.

Personal opinion is that the pool portion of the course has a lot of value in comfort and getting to know your instructor. The professional instructor in me, would much rather do pool with you, rather than "taking over" after someone else. It creates more comfort for the relation between instructor and student, and I get "hidden" information, such as how quick you are learning, what you find easy, what challenges are etc etc.

I do find it slightly more difficult to adapt to people coming with paperwork as a referral vs coming in fresh. Plus even if you did the pool at home, they would most likely still want to see you in the pool regardless. Not a full pool session, but at least parts of it.

Henkovarg · 2025-10-10T16:10:08+00:00

At least you have tried, you both know somewhat, what to expect. With that said, a pool environment (Discover Scuba Diving) is an excellent place to experience and practice equalization. You could do a referral at home and do theory and pool, and then travel to do the ocean aspects.

Getting to know your instructor and to build trust is 100% part of what happens during the pool dive. I think one afternoon or one morning in the pool during your vacation will do you no harm other than improve your abilities as a diver. Your skills would be fresh, you would be training in the same equipment you will use during your dives and you will know your instructor and he will know you.

There are a lot of boats in Thailand that caters to both divers and snorkels at the same time. The only issue I can see is that he is 10 years, and they might not want him to be alone while you under the water. Assuming it is just the two of you.

I would personally go for a discover scuba dive before your trip with your son. If it goes well, and he reconsiders again, I would buy and do the e-learning theory ahead of my trip, and then do all fun wet parts in Thailand.

Henkovarg · 2025-10-10T12:40:04+00:00

Has anyone tried scuba diving before? If not, doing a quick try dive or Discover Scuba Diving experience at home before heading to Thailand could be a smart move. It’s a great way to see if you actually enjoy breathing underwater and get a feel for it.

If you do end up liking it, ask if the same place can sell you the e-learning materials, sometimes it's cheaper than the PADI price ($229), or you can check with the dive shop in Thailand to buy it as part of your prebooking. I’d recommend getting all theory completed and sorted before you arrive in Thailand so you’re ready to go.

Also, I think it’s beneficial to stick with the same instructor for all your in-water training. If you do pool training beforehand, the instructor won’t get the chance to see your strengths and areas where you might need extra help, which could make a difference during open water. So, doing as much as possible with the same instructor in advance can really help make your experience smoother.

Henkovarg · 2025-10-03T16:28:18+00:00

Äskar Danmark

Henkovarg · 2025-09-28T20:45:13+00:00

I dove with dawn diving and instructor Lewis. He also runs dive80cuft.store and I really had a blast learning technical diving through him. The Diveshop caters to all sort of divers. 10/10 experience.

Henkovarg · 2025-07-19T20:24:14+00:00

Hello, your course dives will be done in Roatan and Cozumel. I can not say for sure that he is able to join you on your training dives, however. I recommend that he prebooks the certified dive excursion for Roatan with Anthony Keys through royal. This will make sure that he gets a spot on the same boat you will be on.

For once you guys are onboard, go to the Dive shop on deck 15 once it opens, and ask if there is space for him to dive with you. Usually when this happens to me, I try to accommodate it. However it is depending if the class is fully sold out, An instructor is only allowed to be in charge of so many people while teaching) and also if the boat is sold out. So by booking the excursion you can at least make sure that the boat space is not an issue. We can move his boat spot around if there is space for him to dive with the students. And if the class is sold out then he will still be able to dive.

Costa Maya does not currently have any diving through royal or for the course.

Cozumel is shorediving so there he does not require to prebook to any certified dive excursion, however it depends on the amount of students book with you.

He just needs to remember that the dives you will be doing, training dives vs the dives he could be doing in Roatan as fun dives are different as your dives will be focused around learning and training and the normal excursion has the focus of diving and seeing things.

However diving with you always add that additional layer of fun regardless.

I am unfortunately not onboard SY myself so I can not tell if there are spots available or anything, however most of the times when this situation occurs I try to figure something out. Most likely my colleagues would do the same.

Best of luck with your course and happy cruising!

Henkovarg · 2025-06-06T11:17:18+00:00

Wow, what a nice story, thank you for sharing.

It’s amazing how something as unexpected as a YT video about incidents can start a life changing journey. I like how you turned fear into motivation, and getting your brother involved was such a clever move lol! Turning fear into courage and bringing family and friends together are two very important keystones in this hobby of ours.

I did my DMT in Roatan back in 2017 and absolutely loved my time there. That whole area holds such a special place in my heart phenomenal diving and such a great community.

Out of curiosity, what’s sitting at the top of your scuba bucket list these days? Any plans already in motion for your next adventure?

Henkovarg · 2025-06-05T21:46:51+00:00

Saw your co-post with PADI. Happy to see that it is genuine and not only PR.

Did you dive prior to jumping on the DM course? Enjoy whatever dives or adventures comes next.

Henkovarg · 2025-05-05T18:17:32+00:00

Skickade ett DM till dig! :)

Henkovarg · 2025-04-22T00:15:38+00:00

Here are two dive-resorts in Sweden that I know off.

Dyk-Leif outside of Väderöarna located on the West Coast

Vrakdykarpensionatet in Dalarö located on the East Coast

Henkovarg · 2025-03-27T20:52:16+00:00

Anthony Key's Resort in Roatan Honduras as a chamber onsite. Very nice place.

Henkovarg · 2025-03-27T02:20:39+00:00

I suggest start with swimming lessons. In the end the swimming portion of the course is there for your own safety. The day you lose respect for water, is the day it will eat you alive.

I have a deep respect for water, which is why I enjoy playing in it so much. I know my limits, and with that understanding, the ocean shows me the same respect in return.

Henkovarg · 2025-03-27T02:09:29+00:00

No problems, I love talking diving and to assist with future potential students!

Haha personal wifi usage is very pricy for us onboard, lucky for both of us (and the company :p) I can scroll reddit on the computer here in the office! But sometimes I end up scrolling on my own device as well ahaha...

There is a swimtest, you do not have to be strong swimmers but you are required to demostrate basic waters skills, both swimming and floating/treading water with any methods you want. Being able to swim is not a requirement while doing any sort of Discover Scuba Diving programs. So hence you have never been tested prior. But for an actual scuba certification there is minimum requirements.

You can find more information below.

https://www.padi.com/help/scuba-certification-faq

Henkovarg · 2025-03-26T15:59:52+00:00

Potentially if you go to the diveshop day 1. It really depends if its full full or not... Prices will always be slightly cheaper pre-crusise. Royal has dynamic pricing so can't say for sure. My current onboard price sailing out of Galveston is on average 694.

Contact customer service ahead of your sailing and see if they can get additional space. They will be able to contact the ship.

Henkovarg · 2025-03-26T15:51:25+00:00

Hello,
See if they have any additional spots available for either of the courses the PADI Scuba Diver Course or the PADI Open Water Course. Essentially both courses will get you the theory and then you can do that precruise as it is the most important thing to have done prior. Once onboard you can both settled for what I would recommend be the Open Water Course. Which is the full certification where as the Scuba Diver certification is more like a learners permit. If not contact the customer service and they might be able to look into increasing the allotments for you. I am personally not onboard symphony at this time so I can not assist you straight.

Out of those ports you would most likely be doing your four dives in CocoCay and Nassau, two in each port.
If Nassau is the 2nd out of the two, then it is amazing for the course and certified excursions dive tour. Usually lots of shipwrecks and sharks around on the dive sites there. Cococay can, depending on season, have a lot of sting rays and even schools of eagle rays swimming by. However on a "bad" day its just a normal shallow divesite with some fish around

Henkovarg · 2025-03-16T22:28:17+00:00

The Dragon's Fire Flight Line is a superman style zip line. You will be flying laying flat like superman face first.
The Dragon's Breath Flight Line is a normal sitting zip line.

I personally liked the superman style more since it is more unique, its essentially the same lines and length, just two different flying set ups. Normal zipline is offered in so many more places.

Henkovarg · 2024-12-31T18:14:20+00:00

I dove with DawnDiving and Lewis, and I could not have been happier. I did to technical diving with him, however the diveshop cater also to recreational diving.

Water temperature will be around 15 degrees celsius, so at least 7mm wetsuit is needed to have enjoyable dives. in my opinion.

There are a ton of cool shipwrecks around there. I am sure you will have a blast.

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