| the increase in the popularity of the sport, numerous | | | | and training instructors available. However, the training |
| centers and programs for scuba diving certification has | | | | method, duration, lessons etc may not be the same |
| come up in recent years. In the United States alone, | | | | with all of them. For example, NAUI courses are often |
| there are nearly 2000 professional scuba dive centers. | | | | more technical in the classroom than other programs |
| The first thing you’d need to do before joining a | | | | but can’t be said better or worse than the rest. |
| program is to check out the various centers and find | | | | So, the outcome of the training and course will |
| out which one of them should be most suitable for you. | | | | ultimately depend on your own effort and individual |
| Open Water Diver Certification: | | | | instructor. |
| You have to be at least 15 years old to get the open | | | | Bubblemakers, Scuba rangers, and SASY are some |
| water diver certification. Most open water certifications | | | | of the popular agencies specializing in providing Junior |
| let you dive by yourself without an instructor present (if | | | | Open Water Diver Certification for people between |
| the charter does not make it compulsory). There is | | | | ages 10 to 15. |
| also Junior Open Water Diver Certification for people | | | | Course: |
| between ages 10 to 15. Before getting your | | | | The duration of a scuba diving certification course |
| certification, it is recommended by almost every center | | | | usually depends on you and your schedule. Basically, it |
| that you are in good physical health. Some centers | | | | takes about two to three months to get a full |
| may even require you to obtain a medical certificate | | | | certification which would cost between $175.00 and |
| before enrolling in a certification program. You also | | | | $250.00 and may include accessories such as books, |
| need to know how to swim though you don’t | | | | tables, and rental equipment etc (you’ll have to |
| necessarily have to be good at it. However, you should | | | | buy or rent your own scuba diving equipment). A |
| be able to swim 200 yards using any stroke, and be | | | | certification course normally includes classroom work, |
| able to float or tread on water for about 10 minutes. | | | | examinations, practical skills sessions, and four to five |
| Scuba Dive Centers for Certification: | | | | open water dives. Classroom work may be held once |
| There are numerous scuba dive centers around that | | | | a week with more intensive weekends which include |
| can teach you the technical background knowledge | | | | advanced reading, while open water dives typically |
| and practical skills of scuba diving, but not all of them | | | | take two more days. |
| are completely reliable. Try to do a little research | | | | The basic scuba diver certification permits you to dive |
| before registering yourself for a program. Also | | | | from 60 to 100 feet below the surface, while an |
| consider an agency that offers an internationally | | | | advanced scuba diving certification allows you to take |
| recognized certification card if you travel a lot. | | | | deep dives of about 130 feet. The advanced scuba |
| Some of the most popular and biggest scuba diving | | | | diving certification concentrates more on safety, |
| certification agencies include PADI, NAUI, YMCA, | | | | physics, navigation, night diving, physiology diving and |
| Scuba Schools International, and PDIC. These | | | | the dive tables. |
| organizations offer some of the best scuba courses | | | | |