Instructor New to MS Diving and In Need of Some Local Knowledge

[e_ad@msn.com]

Hello all.  I live in Columbus and I'm teaching some Basic Open Water classes this spring and summer.  I need a location for the open water dives.  I'd like to keep it as close to Columbus as possible, to keep the cost down for the students.  Anyone know of any lakes or quarries close by? I heard there are some near Tuscaloosa.  Also, if anyone knows a good place for air fills close by, I'd appreciate it.  Thanks and it's great to be aboard. 

[delsol]

I believe most open water checkout dives for north MS and Memphis classes are either done at ABWA in Pelham, AL( http://www.divealabama.com/ABWA/Welcome.html ) or somewhere in Arkansas.  I'm not sure where the Jackson dive shops do their checkout dives.  I think the dive shop in Tupelo has been closed for a few years now, so I'm not sure where you can go for local air.  Maybe someone has beter information than I do.

[Don Wray]

Hi Eric...As J.D. said, most of us take our students to Pelham, ABWA, linked above.  While I have gone to Arkansas, personally, I'd rather dive in a toilet.  But that's just me.  Welcome aboard.

[frankc420]

Deep South Scuba, the only dive shop in Jackson, MS area (second closest is Hattiesburg) takes their folks to Alabama Blue Water Adventures for their checkout dives. 

Welcome to the board!

[chefchris]

I believe most open water checkout dives for north MS and Memphis classes are either done at ABWA in Pelham, AL( http://www.divealabama.com/ABWA/Welcome.html ) or somewhere in Arkansas.  I'm not sure where the Jackson dive shops do their checkout dives.  I think the dive shop in Tupelo has been closed for a few years now, so I'm not sure where you can go for local air.  Maybe someone has beter information than I do.

Scuba South closed the same month I got certified.   I got my air fills at e-Fire when I lived in Tupelo. They got a din valve adapter just for me! I think it was about 5 bucks. I would call before you head up there, sometimes the guys that can do the fill aren't there. And when they are there, you might wait long enough to think they've left again.

[Jburt]

I go to school at MUW in columbus. I just got certified at the W last fall. We went to vortex springs for our open water certification. I know the teacher took the advanced open water class to pelham for their certification. The teachers name is Kip brewer, well his first name is prentice. He owns a small dive shop in West point that he rents out all the equipment and probably can fill your tank. You can probably get his information at the W. I will have to find his e-mail address for you. Hope that helps.