It's soooo sad. I haven't been diving since Aug 2000, except in the pool, and wonder if I'm required to take a refresher course? I normally dive in the Florida Keys, where the dive operators won't take you out if it's been over 6 months since your last dive. This is my first visit to Bonaire; I'm staying at Buddies on the drive/dive package from July 17-24, 2001. While there, I want to take a navigation and photo course, but might have to forgo one or the other to meet my budget. Thanks in advance, dani

Dani,

Email Buddies w/ the question. I suspect they will not require a course. I just returned from a 3 week visit to Bonaire, the first diving in 5 years, diving at several ops, and the question was not even asked. They might want a checkout dive; often that is an unaccompanied dive in front of the op just to prove you can come back to the dock there. :–). But ask them now so you will know. Same answer now as there.

Good advise, but no solution. I had already called Buddies and the girl who answered the phone had such a heavy accent. I'm just not sure and hoped to find someone who might know.

LOL, email... what wonderful technology. I'll do just that, thanks glen...

Danielle, so long as you have your certification card you will not be required to do a "Refresher" course.

All resorts give a pre-dive briefing and then require you do a "bouyancy check" dive usually at their "house" dive site. This check out dive is the time to get with your buddy and go over your basic skills in calm, warm, shallow water.

Hi Dalielle,

The direct address of the dive shop is diveshop@buddydive.com emails get there a little faster is you go straight to them

Sorry about the mispelled name Danielle, darn thing will not let me edit the post, the email address is right anyway.

thanks all :Þ