Dave, dont worry about doing the classes in Ohio and open water in Jamaica. I took my classes back in Pittsburgh and then did my open water certifications in Cancun. It was great. We had 35 foot visibility where we were and the water was like bathwater. Just make sure that the company/shop you do the open water dives with is PADI certified. I am sure that Aquahut will be able to give you a list of certified shops in Jamaica. As far as equipment, I have no clue. Always rented my stuff. Never went enough to justify buying.

night dives are a blast!!!!!

as for ebay, just ake sure its a reputable dealer. YOu want new gear or top quality used gear tahta shop will stand behind. Remember your life depends on your gear. If you haev problem at 100 feet its kind of an unpleasant experience.

i'll throw in my 2 cents I love my zeagle BC and reg had them for years and never had a problem:D

I would finish up your open water certs BEFORE you get there. then enjoy while your there.

Im a certified rescue diver. love it. i have all scubapro equiptment. You can save a TON on ebay, then take it in and have it overhauled (its cheap)

Thats who I did my checkouts with. Good guy. He's the one who taught me the Slim Jim trick.

Whats the Slim Jim Trick??

bajarunner- i don't think i can finish out my open certs up here before i go. i would like to but its still to cold and the dive shop doesn't start outside stuff until mid may.

yea . . whats the slim jim trick?:cool:

Jeff Davis at Aqua Hut. They certify SSI. I did the pool/book work with them, then crossed over to PADI with my instructor in Key West. Sherwood regulators are great. You will eventually want to go on to advanced open water and rescue diver ... it just makes you a better all round diver. I have attended three dive medicine courses with D.A.N. and Duke University. Get a D.A.N. membership ... it covers you if any dive related emergencies. They get you to the nearest hyperbaric chamber by Lear Jet if necessary. Look me up in Toledo if you want more info. Madcow and Tizbad both know how to get ahold of me.

You take about a 1 inch peice of a slim jim and wedge it into your buddy's first stage. The fish go nuts for them, and attack it, (and your buddys head). BTW don't do it around sharks.:D

i'm gonna keep an eye on you dammit :rolleyes: :p :p :D

Watch Robert too, thats his favorite (of many) tricks.