| Whether you are interested in scuba diving as merely | | | | certification training agencies such as SSI, PADI, and |
| a one time adventure for your next tropical vacation, | | | | NAUI, among many others. |
| or you want to make it a serious hobby or occupation, | | | | Basic Certification for scuba diving involves not only |
| you have to begin somewhere. Scuba diving is | | | | work in a swimming pool it also involves written class |
| something that you cannot teach to yourself, nor | | | | work and exams to test your knowledge. You can |
| should you try. In order to have a safe and enjoyable | | | | usually do this classroom work at a local community |
| scuba diving experience you should make sure that | | | | college or even a diving school. However, for your |
| you have the proper training and possibly even | | | | Open Water certification you will need to be |
| certification before you jump in. | | | | somewhere that diving is in season or in a tropical |
| The first thing that you can do to prepare yourself is to | | | | area. Some people actually travel to the tropics for this |
| make sure that you are physically up to the challenge. | | | | portion of their certification. |
| Although people of all ages and abilities can participate | | | | In order to obtain full certification you must be at least |
| in scuba diving, you need to be at a certain level of | | | | 15 and you can get limited certification for those who |
| fitness and you should also be a decent swimmer. If | | | | are 10 through 14 years old. There are also classes for |
| you are unsure of your fitness level you may want to | | | | younger children which will get them ready for |
| talk to your doctor before participating in scuba diving. | | | | certification when they are older. |
| For those who are simply going to try scuba diving as | | | | Diving courses will help you to learn about how to |
| a one-time thing on a vacation, you can get a very | | | | select, care for, and use the scuba equipment. You will |
| basic course at many resorts and dive shops. This will | | | | also learn safe diving practices, breathing techniques, |
| enable you to dive with proper supervision in a safe | | | | and other skills which will make your diving experience |
| environment. But, if you plan on making scuba diving a | | | | much more enjoyable. |
| lifetime hobby, you will want to go at least a few steps | | | | If taking a scuba dive sounds like the adventure for |
| further and get certified by one of the recognized | | | | you, take a deep breath and dive right in. |