CASTAWAY SCUBA 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

FAQ - TRAINING

FAQ - SERVICE AND EQUIPMENT RENTAL

FAQ -  GENERAL

FAQ- TRAVEL

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Where are you located?
9460 East Colonial Dr
Orlando, Fl  32817
Just east of the intersection of 417 and highway 50 in the East Colonial Shopping center, just before ABC Liquors.

What are your hours of operation?
M-F  10am-7pm
Sat 10am-5pm
Closed on Sunday's we're diving!

FAQ - TRAINING

Are you PADI or NAUI?
We are affiliated with the SSI, Scuba Schools International Agency, which has been around just as long as PADI and NAUI and is internationally recognized as well. 

What’s the difference between SSI and other certification agencies?
There are few standards that are different but you really get the same with each certification. Advanced Course is a good example of a difference where SSI may be a preference. SSI requires you to have 24 logged dives and certified in 4 specialties to officially be an advanced diver.  With some agencies a student can finish their Open Water Certification, begin and complete their Advanced with only 10 logged dives under their belt. 

HMMM- let’s put this in perspective--- if you were on a boat in Cozumel and had to be buddied with an Advanced SSI diver with 24 logged dives or an  Advanced diver that had only 10 logged dives, who would be your choice to dive with?

How much do you charge for SCUBA certification?
Let’s tell you what is included first- then as you’re shopping around you will be able to ask educated questions as to what’s not included in the other stores.
Instructor fees, Classroom review session, Classroom Equipment review and understanding session, Academic Books and video,
Pool session fees
Open water check out dive sessions fees- Springs.
Rental Equipment:  5MM Wetsuit, BCD, Regulator, Alternate Regulator, Air and Depth Gauges, Standard Log Book.
Certification card fees
Best of all---
FUN.
$345.00  includes all of the above

NOT INCLUDED:   Snorkel, Mask, Fins, Booties, Weight Belt and Weights.

What’s the schedule for the Open Water course?
Weekday schedules vary, please see the Instruction Schedule for a detailed listing of course times and dates but here is an example.
1st and 3rd weeks of every month- for weekday schedule, Tuesday and Thursdays Evenings  Academic 6:30pm-10pm and 1 full weekend, plus the following Saturday.
Sample class:   Tuesday and Thursday night for the Academic review
Saturday Pool
Sunday -1st day of Open Water
Then the following weekend will be 1 day of Open Water training.
Please see the Training page for more information.

What time does the Open Water Class start? 6:30 pm

I live in another state and am going to be in Fl and need to do my 4 check out dives as a REFERRAL, can you do that for me and how much would that be?
Yes we participate in the Universal Referral Program. $150.00 for all 4 dives, done at DeLeon Springs. $100 for just one day of Check out dives (final 2 dives) and is done at DeLeon Springs. NOTE:  If you wish to do an ocean dive or other dive spot there will be an extra fee.  Cost includes rental equipment, BCD, Regulator, Alternate Regulator, Air and Depth Gauges, 5MM wetsuit.

Do you offer group rates?
Yes- 4-8 - $315 .  9 or more- speak to a manager. 

Do you offer specialty classes?
Yes- call store for details or check out the Training page for more information.

What time do the specialty classes start and how long are they going to take?
Depends on the class but the standard Specialty class begins at 6pm on the Wednesday’s of the month and lasts about 2 hours. Nitrox takes a max of 4 hours. Stress & Rescue is a full weekend course.  Please see the Training page for more information.

 Do you offer refresher courses?
Yes. Included in the course: Refresher handbook, Video, Instructor fees, Admission to the springs/pool, Air Tanks $139-   Must provide own equipment , we do have equipment available for rental if needed.

NOT INCLUDED:   Snorkel, Mask, Fins, Booties, Weight Belt and Weights.  Rental equipment NOT included in this price.

Do you offer a Private Open Water class?
Yes Course includes all of the above included in the standard Open Water course. The class price is $475 but we will work with your schedule.  NOT INCLUDED:   Snorkel, Mask, Fins, Booties, Weight Belt and Weights. 

I lost my certification card, how can I get a replacement?
SSI charges a $35 replacement fee.  We will need the following information to replace your card:
Full name, Birth date, Dive shop you were certified at or Instructor 's name, Agency
  and certification date, year (if you don’t have the specifics)

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FAQ - SERVICE AND EQUIPMENT RENTAL

 Can I rent Equipment?   Credit card ON FILE Required and agreement signed.
BCD, Regulator, Alternate and Gauge Combo- $10 each item per day- Sunday’s excluded
Wetsuit - $10 each day 
Air Tanks - $7 for Air each day;  NITROX Tanks - $13 each day;
Weights- $5 per box; 
Mask, snorkel, fins-$5 each day

Do you offer a rental discount program?
RENT TO OWN PROGRAM
 
Every time you rent a BCD, Regulator/Gauge Combo or Wetsuit from Castaway SCUBA, the price of the rental can be applied to a brand new BCD, Regulator/Gauge Combo or Wetsuit.  (Applies only to the item you rent) Max of $100 off of a new BCD, Regulator/Gauge Combo Max of $50 on a Wetsuit. Example:  Rent a BCD 10 times at $10 each time and that’s $100 towards a new BCD. Excludes sale and clearance items-cannot be combined with other discounts.

Equipment Service   
Visual Inspection  - Air Tank  $12 includes Air Fill
Visual Inspection - Nitrox Tank - $16 includes Nitrox Fill up to 40%
Hydro - $35 includes VIP and fill
O2 Cleaning -  $50 per tank and includes Nitrox fill 
Valve Rebuild- $10
Tumble - $25

Tanks Fills
Air- $5
Nitrox- 80cu ft and under - $10 up to 40%
Nitrox -  Over 80 cu ft tank-$11 up to 40%

Annual Service:
Regulators - $20 per stage- + Parts- Note: We cannot work on Poseidon's any longer.
BCD - $20 + Parts
Rush charge is $20 extra on BCD or Regulator servicing.

SERVICE TIMEFRAMES & LEVEL OF SERVICE
Reg/BCD 14-21 calendar days
 
O2 Cleaning 14 calendar days

VIP- 5 business days
Hydros- 14 business days

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FAQ -  GENERAL  

How long does it take to order a piece of Equipment?
Depending on the item the average is about 5 business days. Repairs that need to be sent out for Exposure wear could take 3 to 4 weeks.

What kind of Package Deals do you offer?
We have a number of packages already set up that can be mixed and matched.  Buy a complete package and you will receive a Gift Certificate for future purchases equivalent to about 10% or more of the total purchase price.

Do you have a Back Inflate/weight integrated Rental BC I can try out before I buy it?
We have Zeagle Escapes in our rental Inventory strictly for that purpose--  the rental price is $10 per day and must be secured with a Credit Card.   www.zeagle.com

Do you have a Dive Club?
Yes, we have dive club meetings the last Tuesday of every month with the exception of November and December where we celebrate the holiday’s with a party.  At the meetings we usually have a guest speaker, discuss a new item on the market, future or past trips and just joke around and have a good time.  We celebrate those Students who have earned any type of certification that month.  We also share diving stories and eat a few snacks.  There is no membership fee to be a part of the Castaway SCUBA dive club.  

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FAQ- TRAVEL

Do you have pre-planned trips, where to and how much?
Yes, we run 2-3 trips a month, locally and a minimum of 2 Internationally a year.

East Coast of Florida- 2 tank boat Ocean diving out of Jupiter,  West Palm Beach, Pompano Beach, Lantana, Florida Keys


Local Springs- Camping, picnicking, drift river trips

Weeki Wachee Springs, Blue Grotto, Paradise Springs, Devil’s Den, Blue Springs

West Coast shark tooth hunting:
Beach diving off of Venice,  Boat diving out of Venice
Prices all Vary, please see the Trips page for more information.

I want to go diving this weekend, can you help me?
Sure, we can make arrangements for a dive boat out of Jupiter, Lantana, Pompano or West Palm Beach.   $57 per trip, tanks Extra

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