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There's
no greater adventure than diving! Whether you're taking your first look
at diving, or whether you've been diving for 20 years, there's always
something new, fascinating or challenging about venturing into the underwater
world. Your mind may be mesmerized by clouds of colorful fish, your
curiosity raised by the mysterious remains of sunken ships or your creativity
awakened by the art of underwater photography. Your diving interests
may range from a casual pastime pursued on vacation, to a constant passion
- even a career. Diving offers something for everyone.
The fun
of diving starts when you enter a diver course, which teaches the basics
of enjoyable, safe diving through pool and class sessions, plus exciting
dives at popular dives sites under the guidance of your Instructor.
Have a look on the PADI Website to find your nearest dive center. PADI stands for Professional Association of Diving Instructors and is the largest certifying agency in the world.
Just why do people scuba dive, anyway?
Every venture underwater is a new and exciting opportunity for exploration
and discovery. The world underwater is full of beauty, wonder and excitement.
Every dive gives us a glimpse of a unique and fascinating world which
is very different from our own. If you have ever wondered what outer space
was like, try being an Aquanaut first! Scuba diving can be lots of fun,
relaxing and a great opportunity to make new friends. Learning to scuba
dive can become the beginning of a lifelong adventure. It will literally
change your life!
 How much does it cost to become a scuba diver?
Typical beginning training consists of a few classroom sessions,
pool practice and at least four training dives in the ocean or a lake
and will generally cost under $250. In addition to the cost of instruction
you will want to own your mask, snorkel and fins which can cost as little
as $150. Most scuba schools furnish scuba equipment for use during pool
sessions. For the ocean training dives you may either purchase or rent
the scuba equipment, wetsuit and weights required to complete the class.
The expense you will incur for equipment purchase and rental will vary
depending on which items you choose to rent and which ones you decide
to purchase. To complete your course, most scuba schools require that
each student purchase a student kit consisting of log book, textbook,
workbook and dive tables. These kits are priced from around $35 to $55.
How long does it take?
A training program which leads to International certification as
an Open Water Scuba Diver will take about 35 hours. The training can often
be completed in as little as two weekends or it can be scheduled over
several weeks. Professional scuba schools will have a variety of options
available to accommodate your needs. Private lessons, accelerated training
and home study programs are readily available in most areas as well.
When and where are classes offered?
Contact your local dive shop or PADI.com
for information on classes. They are usually given year round. If you
live in a cold climate your lessons will begin in a comfortable heated
pool which will prepare you for an easy transition to ocean training.
You might want to consider getting certified on vacation in a warmer spot.
Be sure to call ahead to find out the options available at your intended
destination. The PADI (Professional Association of Dive Instructors) also
has an excellent search engine to locate
PADI Dive Centers and Resorts.
Where is the best diving?
The fact is that there is beautiful diving found in nearly every
Ocean in the world, experienced divers will debate which is the "best."
See our Destinations section or browse our pages for an introduction to the best diving spots in the world. We
have chosen 13 top destinations, and consider them the current Ultimate
Dive Sites, based on industry reviews and our own experiences.
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Can I start my training at home and complete my open water dives on
a vacation to a tropical destination?
Yes. That process is called open water referral. You complete the
classroom training, pool practice sessions and written work through your
local scuba retailer. Your instructor will furnish you with an official
referral form which documents your successful completion of the first
part of the training. You can then make arrangements for a certified instructor
at your tropical destination to complete the open water training. This
option is recommended for people who plan to dive exclusively in warm
water. If you plan to enjoy diving in your own "colder" water,
we recommend you complete all your training in your own ocean.
What are the requirements to take a certified scuba course?
Anyone who is at least 10 years old and in normal good health can
learn to scuba dive. Have a look at PADI
FAQ's for specifics. You do not have to be an exceptionally strong
swimmer or an athlete by any means though being in shape will make your
diving much more enjoyable. Scuba diving is a relaxing, safe sport which
is enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds. If you have any concerns
about your health or swimming skills as it relates to scuba diving, you
should discuss them with an instructor at your local scuba retailer. There
are some programs for kids younger then 10 as well, please see your Children
in Diving page for more information.
Where is the best place to take a scuba course and how do I enroll?
The best source for all your diving needs, including quality instruction,
is your local professional scuba retailer. Most retailers offer complete
instruction programs for all levels. In addition, each retailer can offer
expert advise and consultation in the purchase and proper use of quality
scuba diving equipment and accessories. Most retailers also sponsor a
regular program of dive trips and activities designed specifically to
meet the needs of their customers.
What
about equipment?
Learning to dive is learning to use equipment. While you are learning,
it is just as important that you use good equipment that fits properly
as it is that you have good training. The best source for advice and assistance
in selecting the right equipment is your local scuba retailer. Or you
may review renowned scuba magazines and online resources to learn about
equipment first. Please see our Gear and
Resources pages for more
information. Scuba equipment is constantly being improved and new designs
and technology are becoming available on a regular basis. Your local scuba
retailer will have up-to-date products and information available. If you
do not already own them, you will probably want to purchase at least your
own mask, snorkel and fins when you enroll in a scuba class. The staff
of your local dive store will assist and advise you in selecting the items
that are best for
When looking for a certifying agency, there are several to choose from.
PADI's
mission is to remain the world's most respected and successful organization
in recreational scuba diving and snorkeling. They are committed to quality
and service excellence as well as the professional growth and security
of PADI members with an emphasis on safety, quality and environmental
awareness. PADI is the largest certification agency in the world, with
more than 70,000 professional members worldwide and training materials
in 17 languages.
NAUI
Worldwide is the world's oldest non-profit membership training
agency organized solely to support and promote dive safety through education.
Formed in 1960, the association is controlled by a Board of member directors
elected by the membership.
BSAC
is an association very popular in the United Kingdom and offers a slightly
different approach through local scuba clubs. These and additional associations
are listed below:
National
Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI)
Professional
Association of Diving Instructors (PADI)
British
Sub Aqua Club (BSAC)
Scuba Diving International (SDI)
Dive on the Edge: A Guide for New Divers, Michael Bane
| Buy
Scuba Diving & Snorkeling For Dummies®, John Newman
|
Buy
The Diver's Handbook, Alan Mountain |
Buy
For more books on diving, check out our Books
page... |