Obtaining a scuba certification has many benefits. We’ll cover how to become a certified diver in this article, along with what to anticipate from your scuba lessons, both theoretical and practical.
Do you adore the ocean, enjoy being in the water, and, whenever you are on vacation by the sea, can’t wait to jump in the water with your mask and snorkel to see what lies beneath the ocean’s sparkling surface?
Or are coral reefs and the lovely marine life that lives there something you’re interested in? Or perhaps you enjoy history and can’t wait to explore some sunken shipwrecks that bring many historical events, like the atrocities of World War II, to life?
If any or all of these questions are yes, you should think about getting your diving certification and signing up for some SCUBA lessons. With SCUBA diving, you can spend more time underwater and take in all the breathtaking sights that are below the waves. It is an activity that goes beyond snorkeling.
Is Scuba Certification Required In Order To Dive?
You should become scuba certified, and you must have a license to scuba dive. You should not try to do so without one. Driving a car is exactly like it. If you are not yet trained in how to operate a car safely, you shouldn’t drive one. As long as you follow the rules, scuba diving is a safe sport. You need a scuba diving license, which is one of the most crucial requirements! Period!!
When you have a dive license, you can dive in locations where you can see marine life, reef systems, wrecks, and caverns that are out of snorkelers’ reach. In other words, scuba diving gives you the opportunity to explore a brand-new world that many people never have the chance to see.
We will use the PADI open water certification course as an example throughout this article. To become a fully certified diver, you must first enroll in the PADI open water diver course. Similar courses are offered by other training organizations, such as SSI, NAUI, TDI, RAID, and many others.
What Are The Various Scuba Certifications?
Divers can earn a variety of certifications depending on their level of accessibility and preferred dive type. Recreational divers frequently obtain their open water certification, which is the first certification, or their Advanced open water certification, after which they become rescue divers, and this is when they begin their journey into the world of professional diving.
In your Open Water Course, you will learn the basics of diving, which will include safety, the effects while being in the water, as well as after, and how to mitigate them. You can participate in dive trips and tours at a lower cost than a discovery dive thanks to this certification, which will certify you to a depth of 18 meters/60 feet.
If the open water course isn’t enough and you want to continue your dive education then you would look next to become an Advanced Open Water Diver. The AOW will allow you to hone the skills you acquired in your open water course and explore more types of diving. With this certification, you will be able to dive as deep as 30m/100ft. You must also learn three other skills from a list of 18 options, such as fish identification, underwater photography, and deep diving, in addition to an underwater navigation specialty.
The next certification you can work towards would be a Rescue Diver which will help teach you advanced rescue techniques for This certification makes you a better dive buddy and a more cautious diver overall. It requires CPR and first aid training completed within the last 24 months.
After these three certifications, you will start going into the professional level of dive training with a Certification as a divemaster. A typical instructor who sees potential in you and your diving abilities to become a Divemaster will start you on the path to earning this certification through a candidate program.
How Do I Become A Certified Scuba Diver?
Prospective divers can get their scuba diving license in one of three ways:
Find A Dive Shop
You can find all the information you need at nearby dive shops. There is probably a dive shop nearby if you live close to a body of water. At the very least, they can direct you to the simplest route in your area. The shop staff may even offer certification classes.
Go On Vacation
Dive vacations are widely available. These are designed with the idea that you travel to the instructors and take classes while on vacation. The advantages of this situation are that you can learn something useful while also getting to experience all the fun of a vacation in a new location.
Examples Of Scuba Certification Vacations
On the market, there are a huge variety of options for destination scuba certification. Although this is only a small selection of options, it may be simpler to research exotic locations and find packages that way. Prices may vary depending on the company and the time of year, but these should be close enough to your actual costs to get you thinking ahead.
- Presidente InterContinental Resort & Spa – $1690 – This Cozumel resort offers an all-inclusive package with seven nights and 12 swims and a five-star PADI dive shop.
- Beaches Ochos Rios – Check for Price – Every resort owned by Beaches, including this one in Jamaica, offers scuba lessons. They have inclusive packages and offer courses at all levels.
- Blue Dolphin Diving Center, Crete – A dive shop in Crete called The Blue Dolphin can assist you in organizing your lodging according to your requirements. The majority of dive shops will assist you in organizing your scuba school vacations wherever you choose to travel.
This page from PADI also includes a list of training getaways. This website also has a list of 488 additional locations for scuba training if you can’t find one here. You can even begin your cruise vacation. Here is a helpful website for cruise reviews.
The Route Of Combination
Work with your dive shop and speak with a scuba travel company. Before embarking on your journey, some will let you learn the fundamentals from books or online courses. You can start by learning the fundamentals at home or at your dive shop, and then complete the water portion in a far-off place.
My wife and I started in our landlocked state and ended in Freeport, Bahamas. 25 years later, both of my children replicated this. Despite the fact that one earned certification in a freezing quarry in April and the other finished in the USVI in June as a result of a broken ankle in April. I’m sure I’ll hear about that for years to come.
E-learning
The textbook portion of classes is frequently made available online by PADI and other organizations. Before entering the water, this will enable you to get ready for your certification. They say that knowledge is power, and it also keeps you safe.
There is free information available here that may help you make a decision if you’re still not sure whether you want to obtain a scuba diving license.
Remember, while you may not be breaking laws by teaching yourself to scuba dive, you may be putting yourself or others at risk.
Obtaining the proper certification will help you explore our wet planet by opening up many doors. You can rent equipment in far-off places, dive with groups safely, and develop your skills up to the point where you’re being paid to do what you love.
Failure to complete the certification process may result in injuries or fatalities. Additionally, you’ll have to buy all of your equipment and risk missing out on opportunities to dive with expert scuba divers and experience amazing things.
And learning is enjoyable!
What Is Covered In The Scuba Certification Course?
Let’s take a look at what a typical beginners course with most training agencies entails so that you can decide which of these options would be the best choice for you. The three training components of the PADI open water certification course demand that you gain knowledge and abilities in a variety of subjects.
Part 1. The theory of scuba diving also called knowledge development
You will acquire the fundamental theoretical knowledge necessary to develop into an expert diver during this phase of your PADI open water certification. You’ll learn everything you need to know, including what equipment you’ll need, how diving will affect your body, how to clear and equalize your ears, and additional techniques and skills you’ll need to use in the water. During your practical training, you will gain knowledge of this new three-dimensional environment that you will be navigating.
Being a scuba diver requires knowledge of the theory behind the sport, which is why it shouldn’t be taken lightly. It should be noted, however, that most open water diving courses have been designed to be understandable by 10-year-olds, so do not worry too much about this portion of the course.
Part 2. Practical Scuba Diving Training
The majority of your initial hands-on training will probably occur in a pool or at the very least in confined, “pool-like” conditions. You will enter the water in this second stage of your certification process to learn the skills necessary to be an Open Water Diver. Your training will begin in a pool or other calm body of water where your instructor will go over and practice with you all the necessary techniques.
Expect to engage in three to five sessions in a pool or enclosed water. You will learn more techniques and skills as you advance because your instructor will take you into deeper waters.
The practical portion of skill development progresses from simpler to more difficult skills. You’ll learn how to get your regulator back, deal with water in your mask (just blow it out! ), and more.) and what to do in an out of air situation, to name but a few.
Part 3. Open Water Dives
You are now entering the REAL deal. The Open Water Dives are the third step of the training. Depending on the training organization and your performance, you will probably perform four to five of these.
You get to dive for the first time during this course’s final section, which leads to certification. As you explore the ocean while in confined water, you will put the skills you have acquired through your dives into practice.
You will learn to gain confidence and dive with ease with the aid of an instructor. Before you are prepared to organize and execute dives on your own, with your buddy, or in the guided group, the instructor will typically take you out on a number of dives.
How Long Does It Take To Get Scuba Certified
Getting your scuba certification shouldn’t take too long. The entire PADI open water diver course can be completed in 3 to 4 days. The practical portion of the course can be completed in 2,5 days if you choose to complete the theoretical portion of the course through e-learning at your own pace. It might take a few weeks to become certified if you are getting your scuba certification through your local dive shop because classes are frequently scheduled once or twice a week.
How Much Does A Scuba Certification Cost?
Scuba certification fees vary depending on location and nation, but you should prepare to pay anywhere between $350 and $500 USD per person. The cost should include the cost of all course materials and scuba equipment rental.
Conclusion
Although legally you are not required to have a license to scuba dive, you do for safety reasons. The equipment is complicated and requires careful set-up each and every time. Drowning and death are drawbacks of failing to obtain certification and training.
If you are medically fit for such a sport, it is worthwhile to become certified because the underwater world of our planet is filled with stunning locations. You will be able to experience things that few people have ever experienced before if you can breathe underwater and submerge. When done correctly, diving can support conservation efforts and provide beautiful opportunities for underwater photography.
A worthwhile endeavor is strengthening our ties to the planet. The proper way to participate in this amazing sport and enjoy its plethora of advantages is to get properly trained and licensed. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you won’t be able to see rare animals no matter where you go in the world.
Please remember to be safe. You and your loved ones could be in danger if you don’t know how to use and maintain your equipment properly. Scuba diving accidents can cause death, so please carefully research this subject before making a choice. Prior to attempting to scuba dive on your own, it is advised that you go through the proper channels to obtain certification.
