What’s a Scuba Certification Program Like?
You just arrived home with a huge stack of booklets, all promising an unforgettable vacation of sun-drenched white sand beaches, kissed by the azure waves of the tropics. With the turn of each page, you begin to daydream, feeling the warm sun and gentle tropical winds on your face. When it’s time to cool off, you hit the crystal clear blue water, where your toes sink into the soft rippled sand and tropical ocean fish dart about. This vast new world, filled with many dazzling colored corals and fish, consumes you with desire for exploration. Turning the pages rapidly searching for more, you stumble across the bullet “Scuba Certifications Required”. Your excitement seems to fade with the thought that this world might never be experienced under the surface. However your vision becomes clear as you jump to your computer and search “scuba certification programs”
With the rap of the return key you are greeted with a long list of many various websites all containing ads for dive shops, groups and companies with the promise of training to become a scuba diver. But what scuba certification programs are out there? Which are the best? Where are they located and how much will it cost?
Luckily there are places all over the world who will train you to be a scuba diver. But why not learn from an accredited organization who’s certifications are recognized the world over. There are several scuba certification programs available, but here are just a few to name:
AMUC – Association of Canadian Underwater Councils.
BSAC – British Sub Aqua Club
CEDIP – European Committee of Professional Diving Instructors
CMAS – One of the best and oldest, started by Jacques Cousteau. CMAS Certification is available in Costa Rica in Montezuma here and here.
NAUI – National Association of Underwater Instructors
PADI – Professional Association of Diving Instructors.
How do you learn to scuba dive?
Several of the above Scuba Certification Programs, offer classes in either class room (through your local dive shop) or via online learning on the web. It’s recommended to contact your local dive shop prior to selecting a scuba certification program to discuss which program they are authorized to test for. Often they have packages and clubs which may enable discount programs for new divers.
With on-line learning, the course materials can be downloaded or read online allowing you to study at your own pace. Like class room learning, things you can expect to learn are; proper dive calculations, necessary equipment, safety, terminology and requirements for various types of certifications. I will be necessary for you to demonstrate your comprehension of the required material by a written test (in most cases). After completing this successfully, it’s time for your confined-water dive tests. For this, you will need to visit with your local dive shop and arrange for confined-water training classes. Most confined water training will take place in a pool in your local area. Here you will be expected to demonstrate basic water skills crucial to learning how to scuba dive safely and then pass a few skills tests for earning your scuba certification.
What’s are the requirements?
Each association is different so you will need to check each Scuba Certification Program to find information about age, physical requirements and costs. For example PADI, requires a minimum age of 13 for online learning or 10 via local dive classes to get a Junior Open Water Diver certification. You should be in good physical condition. Skilled activities and testing would require that each candidate for certification, demonstrate basic water skills, including the swimming of 200 meters (300 meters in mask, fin and snorkel) and treading water for 10 minutes. Other activities will include learning how to properly clear your mask underwater and other safety skills such as sharing a regulator for emergency breathing, proper accent, clearing your ears etc. Other more advanced course will touch on such subjects as wreck diving, deep-water diving, cave diving or search and rescue. It’s generally recommended by all associations that the candidate for certification be an intermediate to strong swimmer and be comfortable in the water.
How much will it cost?
At the least, you will require the basic scuba diving equipment, a mask, snorkel and fins. Consider buying a good mask as this will be essential . Buying an inexpensive one may not hold up well under use or leak badly under pressure. Expect to pay around $350-$500 for your scuba certification program, depending on what type, which should yield you an open water certification allowing you to dive. This will normally cover most if not all your training. Consider taking additional classes and training for additional certifications.
Enjoy your new found hobby
After completing you scuba certification programs and receiving your open water certification, consider joining your local dive club. They often have events and contest, trips etc. set up throughout the year and are a wealth of knowledge for the new diver. Costs vary widely by association and locale.
