Millions of people have learned how to dive, so why not you? They are doing it for a variety of reasons: adventure, sightseeing, photography, travel, relaxation or any of the other many facets that diving offers. A trip to your local dive center is a good way to get your questions answered. An even better way is to sign up for an introductory session. In the meantime, here are some of the thing that you may want to know.
Learning to dive is not hard, but like learning any new skill, there are procedures and techniques that must be mastered. You will learn the why and how in class and put what you've learned into practice in the water.
It depends, but generally speaking, you'll receive 20 - 30 hours of instruction. And some more time for the required open water dives. Some dive courses meet once a week for 3 or 4 weeks. Other training programs take a couple of weekends. And private and home study programs can provide an alternative way of learning at your own convenience. Diving is a wonderful way to escape the cares of the day and relax. You'll meet people in class you like and with whom you will want to share the adventure. Don't forget diving is a social sport too. The point is, you can learn on your own schedule and at your own pace, but to be a safe diver, you've got to learn correctly.
Not really. Expense is a relative term and actual costs will vary depending on where you live, what kind of course you are taking, and what kind of equipment you want to buy. Most dive center instructors will want you have good quality fins, mask and snorkel. Buy good equipment, it will last for years. The dive center instructor can suggest what equipment you will need for training and fill you in on the lesson cost. Before beginning your dive training, sit down with your instructor, work out a schedule, and determine costs for everything. This way you'll know the cost beforehand, and your new enthusiasm won't be spoiled by an unplanned, unknown monetary surprise.
Modern dive training uses methods and techniques that have been developed over decades to make sure the educational systems produce safe recreational divers. Because of this, scuba diving is one of the safer recreational activities in which you can participate. The equipment, training, and instructors all work together to make sure diving is as safe as possible, and diving's safety record shows they've done their homework well.
In the unlikely event of a dive or medical emergency, students are in good hands. Every certified dive instructor is required to be current in CPR and first-aid techniques along with DAN oxygen provider certificated. Many instructors have had advanced training in dive medicine and know how to handle events in an emergency. Dive instructors carry first aid kits during open-water dives and can conduct ship-to-shore communications if aboard a boat.
Many divers do, but some wait until basic certification training is completed before buying the majority of their equipment. Remember scuba gear is a life support system...Beware of embay....Know what you're getting and be trained to use. Your dive center will guide you and as you begin to dive regularly, gain experience and become interested in some facet of diving--such as wreck diving or underwater photography-they'll continue to advise what equipment best suits your particular diving needs.
Most beginning students are floored to know that a scuba tank is filled with only compressed, dry, filtered air. It depends on the individual. Everyone has a different breathing rate, and the experience level of the diver influences his air consumption has well as overall health and fitness level.
A student must be at least 15 years old to qualify for a full, adult certification card (C-card). Youngsters between 12 - 14 can be certified as Junior Open-Water divers, which means they must dive with a certified adult diver Age 10 & 11 may also become divers thru PADI with restrictions..
They've been called nature's underwater garbage disposal, but from the sharks' perspective, there are a lot of smaller creatures that are easier to catch and consume, so humans don't look that appetizing.
Students have to know how to swim, and different dive centers have different requirements. It's a dive standard that students must complete a short 200-yard swim and a 10-minute survival water tread.
Each student must complete a medical history form prior to training. This form informs instructors of a student's medical condition, and there are several items that would prohibit a diver of any age from participating in the activity. Some of the more serious conditions include: epilepsy, chronic ear infections, diabetes, active asthma, emphysema, heart disease, hemophilia, claustrophobia, depression, and addictive drug or alcohol abuse.
Prospective divers often think that because their ears hurt while at the deep end of a pool, they can't dive. This is not necessarily true. Equalizing this pressure is an integral part of every dive, and it's one of the first things a student learns to do.
At some diving locations the water is warm enough to wear a swimsuit. Other locations require special clothing, which makes diving quite comfortable. Neoprene wet suits offer a good thermal barrier, and the body heats the thin layer of water between the skin and the suit to increase the insulating effect.
Generally speaking, decompression sickness (DCS), or "the bends," is not a problem for divers if they practice safe diving habits and adhere strictly to the depth and time limits specified by the recreational dive tables.
A lot. Almost three-quarters of the earth's surface is covered by water, and this means diving opportunities exist in every part of the world. The c-card is a passport to adventure in any blue-water area of the world.
Diving is a multi-leveled activity, and the initial certification is just a beginning. Realistically, your initial certification is a "license to learn." Much of diving's appeal is the opportunity it offers for learning more about, and becoming more a part of this new environment.