selecting a a dive shop

Question
What criteria should one use in selecting a dive shop and a dive master when visiting a new place to dive? (We are going to the Turks and Caicos).Thanks,
David

Answer
Hi David, that should be a really fun trip for you.  Since everyone's criteria (or what's important to them) is different), I would approach this issue from several angles.

1.  What are your needs going to be on this trip?  Do you need to rent gear?  You want challenging dives or beginner?  Shore or boat?  Do you want to be led by a DM or just taken to a spot and sent in?  2 dives a day or 5?  Night?  Nitrox? Once you think these through, send an e-mail or call several of the operators there and ask.  Try to talk to the DM.  See if you get along on the phone.  Let them convince you to dive with them.
2.  Ask your local dive shop staff or divers that use your shop.  Someone has likely been there before and can give you their opinion.
3.  Ask on one of the Scuba Forums about the different operators.  www.scubaboard.com has travel forums.
4.  Check out www.undercurrent.org and their Chapbook.  Real divers like you and me write in actual experiences rather than the biased articles you read in scuba magazines.
5.  If you are concerned about their status with SSI, PADI, etc, you can go online to these organizations web sites and determine if they are valid operators with them.

You may want to have two or three operators selected so that when you get there and dive with one, you can always try another if you don't get along.  Definitely go meet the people in the shop as soon as you arrive to make sure you get along.

Good luck, and be sure to put your experiences back on one of the boards I mentioned above so others may learn from yours.  Jesse