| So you are thinking about getting your scuba diving | | | | The course itself can be broken into 4 major |
| certification but aren't sure what it entails? We'll go | | | | segments: |
| through the details here. Scuba diving is a wonderful | | | | 1. Book work |
| sport and you will be able to enjoy it for many years | | | | 2. Exams |
| to come. There's nothing like floating effortlessly | | | | 3. Pool training |
| underwater and seeing all the beautiful fish, coral, | | | | 4. Open water dives |
| wrecks, etc. Certification will open up a whole new | | | | The amount of time it takes to get our scuba diving |
| world for you. | | | | certification depends on what avenue you take. There |
| First, let's start with the basics. What exactly is scuba | | | | are intensive weekend courses where you can do all |
| diving certification? | | | | your book work and pool work in one weekend. This |
| In order to go scuba diving with any reputable dive | | | | option usually involves advance reading. I think this |
| shop, you must have a certification card (more | | | | could be a bit overwhelming if you have no prior |
| commonly known as a c-card). You obtain this card by | | | | experience but many people opt for this route. |
| taking and passing a dive certification course. Once | | | | At the opposite end are the options where you meet |
| you pass this course, you receive your c-card and you | | | | over the course of several weeks to do your book |
| are good to go. | | | | and pool work. This is the option I chose. The class |
| The two main certification agencies are PADI and | | | | met once a week for 6 weeks. The first part of the |
| NAUI. Other agencies, such as YMCA and SSI, also | | | | night involved the classroom (about 1 1/4 hours) |
| offer scuba diving certification but NAUI and PADI are | | | | followed by pool work (about 1 1/2 hours). |
| the most widely recognized. | | | | A recent introduction are the on-line certification |
| The dive shop (or other entity) that you take your | | | | courses which allows you to do the book portion of |
| training from will be affiliated with one of these | | | | your scuba diving certification from anywhere. |
| agencies. That is who you will receive your card from. | | | | You get a referral to do your open water dives after |
| The most common scuba diving certification for | | | | you successfully complete the book and pool work. |
| recreational divers is the open water diver. Once you | | | | Your open water dives are usually done in a lake, |
| finish this course and pass the tests and dives, you | | | | quarry or ocean. You typically do these dives over the |
| receive your c-card. Once you receive your card, you | | | | course of 2 days. Certification usually requires 4 or 5 |
| are certified for life. There is no other mandatory | | | | successful open water dives. You also have to do |
| training. There is other optional training you can do, but | | | | your open water dives within a certain amount of time |
| nothing more is required before you can start diving. | | | | of receiving your referral. |
| What are the requirements for taking a certification | | | | During your open water dives, you will perform the |
| course? | | | | skills you learned in class for the instructor. This |
| As far as age goes, for PADI you must be 10 or older | | | | involves such skills as clearing your mask, buddy |
| to take the course. Students younger than 15 will | | | | breathing, etc. Once you successfully pass the open |
| receive the PADI Junior Open Water Diver certification. | | | | water dives, you will receive your c-card. |
| It can then be upgraded to PADI Open Water Diver | | | | As far as the cost of certification, prices for the |
| certification upon reaching 15. For Naui, you must be 12 | | | | course and pool work portion can range anywhere |
| or older to take the course. | | | | from around $150 to several hundred. I think |
| Basically you should be in good physical shape and be | | | | $200-$250 is probably about average. If you take |
| comfortable in the water. A clearance from your | | | | book portion online through PADI, the course currently |
| doctor would be a good idea if you have any doubts. | | | | costs $120 (you still have to pay for your in water |
| During the course you will have to be able to swim | | | | training and open water dive portions). |
| 200 yards. However, you can use any stroke and | | | | Adding in the cost of your open water dives, the total |
| there is no time limit on how long it takes. You also | | | | cost of dive certification will probably be about |
| have to tread water or float for 10 minutes. Again, you | | | | $350-$450. |
| can use any methods you want. | | | | |