What To Expect When Getting Scuba Certified
If you have a desire to go scuba diving you must first go through training and receive
certification from an association such as the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) or the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI). Scuba certification is not only essential because most diving tours require it, but it also ensures that you remain safe while you are diving. Here are some of the things you should expect when you are pursuing your scuba certification.
A popular saying within the scuba world is that getting your scuba certification is harder than getting a library card, but easier than getting a driver's license. That being said, if you have a driver's license, you probably have the persistence it takes to get your scuba certification. Scuba certification is not free, and it won't be easy, but once you receive your certification you can enjoy diving in some of the world's most beautiful locations.
Two of the current most popular scuba certification courses as mentioned above are the PADI Scuba Diver certification course and the NAUI Scuba Diver certification course. While either course is sufficient enough to prepare you for your first "real scuba dive," the PADI program is generally considered to be more basic, while the NAUI program is somewhat more involved. The PADI program is great for vacationers who just want their certification so they can take a few supervised dives while on vacation, and the NAUI program is good for beginners who want to take up scuba diving as a long-term hobby. Both courses offer the option of further training after completing the basic beginner level of scuba training.
Regardless of which course you choose, preliminary scuba certification courses all require the basics: that you know how to use a variety of scuba equipment, that you can handle yourself underwater, and that you know how to react in a wide range of underwater environments and situations.
Scuba Diving: 101
Before you ever get into the water, during the first phase of your scuba certification, you will learn the basic principles of scuba diving such as how pressure affects your body, the best scuba gear for different types of dives, and how to plan your dives. At the end of the "land course," most certification programs will require that you take a quiz to prove you know all the key concepts and ideas.
Confined Water Training
Next, you will work on and develop basic scuba skills by practicing scuba diving in a pool or other body of water with pool-like conditions. At this point you will learn everything about setting up your scuba gear, as well as emergency skills like replacing your scuba mask in the water or sharing your air supply. During this stage you will do five confined water dives, with each building upon the things you learned in the previous dives.
Open Water Dives
After your confined water dives, you will continue building your scuba diving skills during four open water dives with an instructor at the dive site. You can make these dives in areas near your home or at more exotic destinations while on vacation.
Scuba Certification Requirements
If you've decided to take the plunge and go for your scuba certification, there are a few requirements that you must meet before you get started. For everyone's safety, all students must complete a brief scuba medical questionnaire that asks about medical conditions that could affect your diving. If any of these apply to you, your physician must assess the condition as it relates to diving and sign a medical form that approves you to dive.
In addition, you must demonstrate that you are comfortable in the water and have the basic water skills required for scuba diving. Most courses require you to show that you can swim 200 meters/yards (or 300 meters/yards with a mask, fins and snorkel) and tread water or float for at least ten minutes.
The wide world of scuba diving is waiting for you - all you need is your certification! Find a scuba diving school today, and get started with what's sure to be your new favorite hobby.
by: Sarah Simmons
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