Scuba Diving Certification: What You Need to Do Before You Go Looking For Nemo
So you are thinking about getting your scuba diving certification but aren't sure what it entails? We'll go through the details here.
Scuba diving is a wonderful sport and you will be able to enjoy it for many years to come. There's nothing like floating effortlessly underwater and seeing all the beautiful fish, coral, wrecks, etc. Certification will open up a whole new world for you.
First, let's start with the basics. What exactly is scuba diving certification?
In order to go scuba diving with any reputable dive shop, you must have a certification card (more commonly known as a c-card). You obtain this card by taking and passing a dive certification course. Once you pass this course, you receive your c-card and you are good to go.
The two main certification agencies are PADI and NAUI. Other agencies, such as YMCA and SSI, also offer scuba diving certification but NAUI and PADI are the most widely recognized.
The dive shop (or other entity) that you take your training from will be affiliated with one of these agencies. That is who you will receive your card from.
The most common scuba diving certification for recreational divers is the open water diver. Once you finish this course and pass the tests and dives, you receive your c-card. Once you receive your card, you are certified for life. There is no other mandatory training. There is other optional training you can do, but nothing more is required before you can start diving.
What are the requirements for taking a certification course?
As far as age goes, for PADI you must be 10 or older to take the course. Students younger than 15 will receive the PADI Junior Open Water Diver certification. It can then be upgraded to PADI Open Water Diver certification upon reaching 15. For Naui, you must be 12 or older to take the course.
Basically you should be in good physical shape and be comfortable in the water. A clearance from your doctor would be a good idea if you have any doubts.
During the course you will have to be able to swim 200 yards. However, you can use any stroke and there is no time limit on how long it takes. You also have to tread water or float for 10 minutes. Again, you can use any methods you want.
The course itself can be broken into 4 major segments:
1. Book work
2. Exams
3. Pool training
4. Open water dives
The amount of time it takes to get our scuba diving certification depends on what avenue you take. There are intensive weekend courses where you can do all your book work and pool work in one weekend. This option usually involves advance reading. I think this could be a bit overwhelming if you have no prior experience but many people opt for this route.
At the opposite end are the options where you meet over the course of several weeks to do your book and pool work. This is the option I chose. The class met once a week for 6 weeks. The first part of the night involved the classroom (about 1 1/4 hours) followed by pool work (about 1 1/2 hours).
A recent introduction are the on-line certification courses which allows you to do the book portion of your scuba diving certification from anywhere.
You get a referral to do your open water dives after you successfully complete the book and pool work. Your open water dives are usually done in a lake, quarry or ocean. You typically do these dives over the course of 2 days. Certification usually requires 4 or 5 successful open water dives. You also have to do your open water dives within a certain amount of time of receiving your referral.
During your open water dives, you will perform the skills you learned in class for the instructor. This involves such skills as clearing your mask, buddy breathing, etc. Once you successfully pass the open water dives, you will receive your c-card.
As far as the cost of certification, prices for the course and pool work portion can range anywhere from around $150 to several hundred. I think $200-$250 is probably about average. If you take book portion online through PADI, the course currently costs $120 (you still have to pay for your in water training and open water dive portions).
Adding in the cost of your open water dives, the total cost of dive certification will probably be about $350-$450.
Hopefully I have answered most of your questions about getting certified. Give it a try, you won't regret it!
(ArticlesBase SC #461884)
Article Tags:
scuba diving certification
,dive certification
,requirements dive certification
,c-card
Learn about the Muscles used in Scuba Diving
Learn about the Muscles used in Scuba Diving in this educational video from dizzo95. (00:20)
How to Put BCD Belt Through the Buckle
Learn how to avoid the tank slipping out of tank band (00:43)
Swim With The Fishes in Aruba
Leave the diving gear behind and get your toes wet with snuba, a combination of scuba diving and snorkeling in De Palm Island, Aruba. Get an up-close look at beautiful tropical fish and the largest shipwreck in the Caribbean, the 397-foot-long Antilla. (02:19)
Learn about Fort Lauderdale
Desert Cinema Productions.com presents: Scuba diving in Fort Lauderdale. (03:45)
The Nature in Belize
In this nature video take a look at the amazing natural beauty of Belize. (02:29)
Found in the western Caribbean ocean and south of the Yucatan peninsula, you will come across the small Central American country of Belize. Home to the second largest barrier reef in the world, an adventure to see the hundreds of different types of coral, sponges and other marine life from the dozens coral atolls or cayes as they are termed is to be experienced when scuba diving in Belize.
The thrill of climbing the highest mountain or diving into the deepest part of the ocean is not comparable to anything else. Many pursue adventurous sports like scuba diving and mountain climbing and river rafting as hobbies, but a selective few go on to make careers out of the sports. One such career is that of scuba diving.
You have probably seen images of underwater sites and have desired since then to view it through your own eyes.
Once a diver has achieved the basic certification course and gained experience with various dive sites and situations a technical scuba diving course can offer more in depth information.
An ‘easy diving course’ or ‘resort course’ usually starts at the pool and consists of a lecture or discussion by a certified instructor explaining about the pressure, the equipment, and everything that will happen on the dive. He will also go through all the basic skills that will be demonstrated and practiced in the pool. “Seeing hearing and doing is the best way to learn.”
Those starting out with scuba are not only advised to take classes, they're generally required for rental of tanks, purchase of air and so on.
Scuba Diving can be a dangerous sport if you do not take a 'be safe always' approach when entering the water. It has a lot to do with your personality at the end of the day. It will be as safe as you want it to be, even in times of extreme weather or water conditions. it is important to be always stay alert. Just like crossing the road, if you don't take precautions and follow the simple rules that you have learnt as a child, accidents can happen anytime anywhere!
Oxygen, which is the gas that our life depends on, is a mere 20.9% of the gas we breathe. While this gas is safe and life-enabling, it all changes once you add pressure while Scuba diving.
The snow reports are calling for 6 to 8 inches of snow overnight and you have yet to purchase a snow thrower. You’ve been waiting for someone to come along and tell you everything about snow throwers you ought to know. The first lesson in snow throwers is that they come in a variety of shapes and sizes. There are both electric and gas powered snow throwers.
Any other result will mean Chelsea have the chance to increase their lead at the top which in this current..
It is one of those seasons where Liverpool again started poorly but find their Premiership form at the..
Cesc Fabregas, the Arsenal midfield playmaker, has been under a watchful eye by his childhood club and Spanish..
baseball hitting trainer - Baseball is one of the most popular sports on the planet. People flock to the stadiums and pile around their televisions to watch the games. Beyond that, however, hundreds of people want to become more successful as baseball players. But their ability to succeed requires
Would you like to check Olympics online? This year, hundreds of millions of people worldwide look at cyberspace TV software for only one purpose, and that is to check the Vancouver Winter Olympics online.
Would you like to watch Olympics online? This year, hundreds of millions of people worldwide will use an Internet TV software for only one purpose, and that is to watch the Vancouver Winter Olympics online. More and more individuals will simpl
Learning how to play volleyball can be fun and a great way to help you get in shape. It is great for all ages and all types of abilities.
There are lots of great dive sites in the Caribbean, but which ones make it to the top of the list? We'll give you our opinion. We've done lots of diving all over the Caribbean, but these sites are the ones we still remember and compare all other dives to. Our...
Buying a wetsuit can be somewhat confusing. There are many different styles, thicknesses, qualities and price ranges to choose from. Trying on a wetsuit isn't the most fun thing to do in the world either. However, it is a necessary evil if you want to keep warm on your dive. So with...
While Arbua may be better known for its beaches and casinos, it is also a good destination for the scuba diver. In fact, Aruba was voted the second best wreck diving in the Caribbean by Rodale's Scuba Diving Magazine in 2006. So if you like wrecks, you may want to...
Diving is a fun and popular sport. However, there are some steps every diver should follow to ensure he has a safe dive. Scuba Diving Safety Rules: Get proper training Being comfortable underwater will go a long way towards having a safe dive. Proper training is one key to being comfortable underwater. The...
Scuba diving vacations are a great escape from the everyday world. However, there are lots of options to choose from and they can get very expensive. You can book each portion of the trip separately, you can purchase a vacation package, you can stay on a liveaboard, stay at an all...
If you've never been to Belize, a great spot to start is Ambergris Caye. It offers great diving and interesting topside attractions to keep you busy during those surface intervals. Ambergris Caye is the most popular spot in Belize for scuba diving. It offers a variety of diving such as reefs,...
So you are thinking about getting your scuba diving certification but aren't sure what it entails? We'll go through the details here. Scuba diving is a wonderful sport and you will be able to enjoy it for many years to come. There's nothing like floating effortlessly underwater and seeing all the...
A scuba diving computer can be a divers best friend. It will allow you to stay down longer than if you were diving off of tables. There are many types and/or styles of dive computers you can choose from. Which one is best is really personal preference and is suited...
0