Originally Posted by GloryDayz (Post 16898503)

Today, SSI. I moved from PADI to SSI recently with the business, so I've dropped my PADI status to Alumni. We don't have enough people demanding PADI to make the dues worth it, so only one of us keeps their PADI active to work with those people. If I move to a different organization that's PADI, a fee and a skills examination will put me back right where I was, so it was a no-brainer.

All good. All of these organizations work off of Navy dive tables with only slight deviations to NDL table calculations, and don't we all dive computers these days anyway? And, honestly, PADI looks to be taking SSI's lead on allowing instructors more flexibility in skills assessment timing because, well, SSI has been cutting into PADI's dominance over the past 5 years. Again, I don't care, I just love to dive and love to teach people how to dive. The only downside to SSI is that you can't be independant, you have to be part of a dive operation that's "SSI". And PADI is being pressured into the same by some of their larger organizations that aren't happy that independent instructors who are working out of their garage are undercutting their prices.

Originally Posted by penguinz (Post 16898512)

I got my cert in 2018 and dove in Turks and Caicos. Have not been able to go since then. :(

Originally Posted by Rain Man (Post 16898120)

If I ever had grandkids, I would insist on being called Grandfather Rain Man, Sir. It's never too early to instill a sense of formality.

Originally Posted by GloryDayz (Post 16898546)

I'm 1000% blessed with the diving I've been able to do my whole life. It's a good passion and addiction. I can't wait to retire and revisit some places and, perhaps, add some bucket list places.

And, I'd recommend visiting Aggressor.com and Allstar Liveaboards and see if any of those trips are being offered at a discount...

Originally Posted by penguinz (Post 16900461)

I would love to go more but being a solo diver and living in KC make it inconvenient.

Originally Posted by GloryDayz (Post 16900597)

That's the beauty of, especially, those liveaboards Aggressor, All Star (and many others offer). You can just take one bed in a cabin and meet new friends (and you don't have to worry about the tourist BS be being ashore (for at least as long as the boat is out)) - they'll fill the other bed. You can also take a non-diver with you and pay somewhat less and they get a week aboard a freaky luxury yacht. Check out this link to just one of Aggressor's boats..

And even if you go alone, or with your S.O. to a shore-based place like Cozumel's Wyndam Coz (formerly the "Hotel Coz"), they will put you on a boat daily and you will get a dive buddy or just dive with the Divemaster. All while the S.O. sits next to the pool and reads a book. Yuk! :Lin:

And, when I'm retired, since I like liveaboards, I'll hang on those liveaboard sites and snatch-up last minute deals that are CHEEEEAP!

Originally Posted by penguinz (Post 16900635)

I'll have to look into something like the shore based.

The wife gets sea sick easily so liveaboards for her would be torture. We found this out on first trip to the Keys on a snorkeling trip. Did you know that tarpons love regurgitated McDonalds? She was a trooper and kept snorkeling but had to stop and purge quite a bit. She had more sealife following her than anywhere else near the reef we were at.

Originally Posted by Pepe Silvia (Post 16900990)

Brand new babies are fun. You get to lightly pinch their Michelin Man arms.

Originally Posted by Pasta Little Brother (Post 17107294)

That...wow early. Hope everything is ok

Originally Posted by GloryDayz (Post 17107301)

Yes, very early... And yes, everything is OK, 3.5lbs, so just a little NICU time according to the doctors.