I've always wanted to learn to scuba dive (or snorkel).
How do I get started?
The best way is to visit your local PADI Dive Center or Resort.
There are more than 4000 of them worldwide.
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Is it hard to learn to scuba dive?
No, in fact, it's probably easier than you imagine -- especially if you're already
comfortable in the water. PADI’s entry-level diver course is split into knowledge
development, confined water (pool) skill training and four scuba training dives.
The course is "performance based," which means that you progress as you learn
anddemonstrate knowledge and skill.
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How long does it take to become a certified scuba diver?
PADI courses are "performance based," which means that you earn your certification
when you demonstrate that you've mastered the required skills and knowledge.
Some people learn faster than others, so how long it takes you may vary. The PADI
Open Water Diver course (beginning course) is typically split into five or six sessions with
tremendous flexibility. The course may be scheduled over as little as three or four
days, or as much as five or six weeks, or something in between, depending upon student
needs and logistics. As a rule of thumb, most students complete their initial certification
in three or four weeks.
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How old do you have to be to become a certified diver?
Twelve years old. If you're between 12 and 15, you receive a Junior Open Water Diver certification,
which means you should dive with a certified adult. When you turn 15, you can upgrade your
Junior certification to a regular Open Water Diver certification.
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Do I have to meet any special qualifications or considerations
before I can participate in a scuba class?
No. Generally speaking, anyone in good average health and at least 12 years old
can participate. As a precaution, you'll be asked to complete a routine medical
questionnaire. If anything on the questionnaire indicates something to be cautious
about, you'll check with your physician to make sure it's acceptable to dive.
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Do I have to be a great swimmer to be certified as
a PADI Open Water Diver?
No. All you need to be is a reasonably proficient swimmer who is comfortable
and relaxed in the water. The swimming requirement for certification is an easy
183 meter / 200 yard nonstop swim (with no time or specific stroke requirement)
and 10 minute tread/float.
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Is scuba diving expensive?
Not really. Like any hobby or recreation, you can invest a lot or a little, depending
upon your interest level. Because most dive centers and resorts rent equipment,
you can invest in equipment over time, renting what you don't have until you
make the investment. Besides distant dive destinations, you probably have good
diving not too far from where you live, so even travel costs are flexible enough to
accommodate even the tightest budget. To pick an average, most people find the
costs ofscuba diving similar to those associated with snow skiing.
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What equipment do I need before I take scuba lessons?
Scuba courses vary in what equipment they provide, so it's best to check with your
instructor ahead of time. Generally speaking, though, you'll probably want your own
mask, snorkel and fins, which are all pieces of equipment that are most comfortable
when personally fitted. Your local PADI Dive Center or Resort can help you select
quality equipment that fits right and lasts.
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What's in a scuba tank? Oxygen?
Recreational divers breathe air, not oxygen.
It's filtered to remove impurities, but otherwise, it's air like you're breathing now.
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How long does a tank of air last?
This is a common question that, unfortunately, doesn't have a single answer. People
breathe at different rates, and you breathe faster when you're swimming than when
you're resting. Also, the deeper you go, the faster you use your air, and, you can get
different size tanks. So, the answer is "it depends;" this is why divers have a gauge
that tell them how much air they have at all times. As an approximation, though, a
diver sightseeing in calm, warm water in the 5 meter / 15 foot to 10 meter / 30 foot
range can expect the average tank to last about an hour.
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My ears hurt when I dive to the bottom of a pool.
Won't they hurt when I scuba dive?
Your ears hurt because water pressure pushes in on your ear drum. In your
scuba course, you'll learn a simple technique to equalize your ears to the
surrounding pressure, much like you do when you land in an airplane, and
they won't hurt at all.
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In the movies and on TV, divers are
always running into sharks or eels.
Are marine animals really much of a concern?
Virtually all aquatic animals are passive or timid. There are a few that can bite
or sting defensively, but you can avoid these simply by watching where you put
your hands and feet, and by not touching any animal you don't recognize.
Divers aren't natural prey for sharks, so shark attacks are very rare -- more people
die each year from bee stings than shark attack.
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Is scuba diving dangerous?
Not really. Statistics show that recreational scuba diving is about as safe as
swimming. Certainly there are potential hazards -- which is why you need training
and certification -- but like driving a car, as long as you follow the rules and use
common sense, it's pretty safe.
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I need vision correction. Is that a problem?
Not at all. If you wear soft contact lenses, you shouldn't have problems wearing
them when you dive. If you wear hard lenses, you'll want the gas permeable type
for diving. See your eye doctor about these if you don't have them now. Another
option is to have prescription lenses put into your mask. See your PADI
professional about this service.
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Scuba diving sounds exciting, but I'm not sure if it's for me.
Can I try it without signing up for a course?
Absolutely. The PADI Discover Scuba Diving program allows you to make a
shallow scuba dive supervised by a PADI professional after a short pool session to
familiarize you with the equipment and some techniques. You can usually do this in
a few hours. There's also a program that lets you try scuba in a swimming pool
only. This takes even less time, and it's popular in places that may not have an
actual scuba diving site at hand.
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How do I find out more about diving or snorkeling?
Visit your local PADI Dive Center or Resort for complete information about PADI
programs andhow you can get started.
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What is PADI?
PADI is the Professional Association of Diving Instructor, the largest scuba
training organization in the world. PADI develops scuba programs and diver
training products, monitors the scuba training conducted by more than 67,000
PADI professionals worldwide, maintains diver certification records and issues your
diver certification credentials. In addition, PADI maintains various support services
for PADI Dive Centers and Resorts. Founded in 1966, today you'll find PADI
professionals in more than 170 countries and territories, and international service
offices in nine countries. Approximately seven out of ten North American divers are
certified by PADI, and approximately 55% of all divers worldwide are certified by PADI.
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What is the PADI Retail Association?
The PADI Retail Association is an association of approximately 2500 dive centers
internationally. All of these professional dive operations are your source for dive
equipment, education, travel and other diving opportunities. To be members
of the association, PADI Dive Centers adhere to specific standards that assure you'll
get the best training and service.
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What is the PADI International Resort Association?
The PADI International Resort Association (PIRA) is an association of resorts, dive
boats, diver operators and hotels that offer recreational scuba and /or snorkel tours,
PADI instruction and services.
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What is the PADI Travel Network?
The PADI Travel Network (PTN) is a specialized travel service that offers dive travel
packages and trips to some of the best dive destinations around the world.
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What is Project AWARE?
Project AWARE stands for Aquatic World Awareness, Responsibility and Education,
and is the environmental-educational umbrella for PADI and PADI professionals
worldwide. Project AWARE programs have included beach cleanups, environmental
presentations, research and other efforts to help preserve and protect the
underwater world.
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I lost my certification card. Can I get another one?
How long does it take?
Go to your PADI Dive Center or Resort; they can help you replace your card.
It generally takes about two weeks. If you plan to dive sooner than that, have the
PADI Dive Center or Resort that you're diving with call PADI. PADI will try to FAX
out your certification information so you can dive. If your certification was issued
in the U.S., Guam or the Caribbean since approximately 1984, a PADI Dive Center or
Resort can usually verify your certification through the computerized Dive-Chek
system at any time of day.
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I'm a certified diver through another training organization.
How can I become a PADI diver?
It's easy. Visit any PADI Dive Center or Resort and present your certification card.
After an initial assessment of your skills and diving knowledge, a PADI Instructor
will guide you into the course you're most qualified for. Generally speaking, to
enroll in a PADI Advanced Open Water, Advanced Plus or most PADI Specialty
courses, one must have; an entry level scuba certification and documentation of
at least four open water scuba training dives as part of the certification course
completed. To enroll in a PADI Rescue Diver course, one must provide a
certification beyond entry level and documentation of at least 20 logged open
water scuba dives demonstrating experience in night, deep and navigation diving.
To enroll in a PADI Divemaster course, one must provide a certification specific to
scuba rescue and a CPR certification and a first aid certification from a recognized
organization.
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I'm a scuba instructor certified through another training
organization. How can I become a PADI Instructor?
Simply contact a PADI Career Development Center, 5 Star Instructor Development
Center, or PADI Course Director for assistance in determining where your instructor
rating fits into the PADI System of diver education. You may be eligible for the a
PADI Instructor Orientation Course (IOC), which introduces you to PADI programs,
materials and philosophy, rather than developing basic teaching technique, due to your
experience and teaching ability.Once you have successfully completed the IOC,
you can take the IE, a two-day evaluation of teaching ability, dive theory knowledge,
water skill level, understanding of the PADI System, attitude and professionalism.
Success at the IE means PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor certification.Your PADI
IDC Center or Course Director will guide you into the program best suited
to your experience and ability.
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