One of the things to keep in mind -- once you have the cert. you don't just get to dive anything you want. The dive master will want to see your log book, and the judge what he'll let you do.
For the most part -- if the lake is not frozen, a good 7mm wetsuit (double layer) or a drysuit will keep you warm as the water gets cold down deep anywhere is Canada.
As a bonus, if you do the open water part in full wetsuit gear (I did), you get much more used to doing things like recovering your regulator. With that you get a response from the Caribbean dive masters of "Oh, your a cold water diver. Do whatever you want"
I don't know if I would do an mostly on-line version of the course. Where I did mine, there was 1 hour of theory followed by 1 hour in the pool for a total of 6 nights. That spread out practice was great. It gave you the time to try things, get comfortable with them and think about the mistakes you made.
My wife pulled her weight belt at the bottom of the pool (15 lbs) instead of her BC strap. A good evening of think about what went wrong (she put the belt back on underwater as she didn't let go of it), and what was the right thing to do. Of course, don't let go of any strap you are pulling and "think" you've got it right.
I try to remind newbies of the fact that the cert. doesn't mean you can do anything you'd like. If you go out on a charter boat dive, most will look at your logs, experience and decide. They are simply not going to let you go through that chute at 80ft after 4 dives, and you're silly if you try.
Overall the course here in Kamloops was a little pricey compared to Van/Vic, at $300, but it's a one time cost that will last a lifetime. I know I'd get $300 more vacation in warm water.
PS. As a funny side note: Our first dive ever was in Grenada. The dive shop owner, that live in the dive shop at the beach was amazed that we like near Van/Vic. and took 4-5 trips a year to go diving because "The diving is so much better there". I only wish I knew the area was so amazing years ago.
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