SCUBA stands for Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus.
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Is scuba diving dangerous?
Not really. Statistics show that recreational scuba diving is about as safe as swimming. Certainly there are potential hazards -- which is why you need training and certification -- but like driving a car, as long as you follow the rules and use common sense, it's pretty safe.
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What is PADI?
PADI - the Professional Association of Diving Instructors - is the largest dive training organization in the world with affiliated dive centers and members in more than 100 countries. BSAC, SSI, NAUI are some other dive training organizations.
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Do I need to pass a medical statement?
Before you can enroll in your course, you must sign a medical statement that says you are fit to dive. If you had any pre-existing conditions, they must be signed off by a doctor.
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Do I have to be a great swimmer to be certified as a PADI Open Water Diver?
No. All you need to be is a reasonably proficient swimmer who is comfortable and relaxed in the water. The swimming requirement for certification is an easy 183 meter/200 yard nonstop swim (with no time or specific stroke requirement) and 10 minute tread/float.
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How old do you have to be to get certified?
PADI requires you to be at least 10 years old to become a PADI certified Junior Open Water Scuba Diver. A Junior Open Water Scuba Diver must dive with an Open Water Scuba Diver until the junior turns 15.
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For how long will I be certified?
Your PADI SCUBA certification does not expire. It is highly recommended that you keep in practice. You should dive more than once a year. You may take a SCUBA Tune Up from any PADI instructor. PADI offers continuing education classes which are very informative. Continuing with your SCUBA education is an excellent way to keep in practice and learn more safe diving skills.
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Why do I have to get certified to dive?
In the scuba class, you will learn how to dive safely and correctly. Your PADI SCUBA certification card is proof that you have taken and passed the SCUBA course. No reputable Dive Center will rent you gear, fill your tank, or let you dive at their facilities unless you are a certified SCUBA diver.
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How deep may I go?
PADI is a recreational SCUBA organization. The maximum depth for a recreational SCUBA diver is 130 feet. I do not recommend you ever dive the maximum depth. You should not dive deeper than 60 feet without proper training. In the PADI Advanced Open Water course, divers are shown the correct and safe way to make a deep dive.
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Is it hard to learn to scuba dive?
No, in fact, it's probably easier than you imagine -- especially if you're already comfortable in the water. PADI's entry-level diver course is split into knowledge development, confined water (pool) skill training and four scuba training dives. The course is "performance based," which means that you progress as you learn and demonstrate knowledge and skill.
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Does it only take three days!?
PADI courses are "performance based," which means that you earn your certification when you demonstrate that you have mastered the required skills and knowledge. Some people learn faster than others, so how long it takes you may vary. The PADI Open Water Diver course (beginning course) is typically split into five or six sessions with tremendous flexibility. The course may be scheduled over as little as three or four days, or as much as five or six weeks, or something in between, depending upon student needs and logistics. As a rule of thumb, most students complete their initial certification in about twenty-five hours.
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What's in a scuba tank? Oxygen?
Recreational divers breathe air, not oxygen. It's filtered to remove impurities, but otherwise, it's air like you're breathing now.
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How long does a tank of air last?
This is a common question that, unfortunately, doesn't have a single answer. People breathe at different rates, and you breathe faster when you're swimming than when you're resting. Also, the deeper you go, the more you use your air, and, you can get different size tanks. So, the answer is "it depends;" this is why divers have a gauge that tell them how much air they have at all times. As an approximation, though, a diver sightseeing in calm, warm water in the 5 meter/15 foot to 10 meter/30 foot range can expect the average tank to last about an hour.
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My ears hurt when I dive to the bottom of a pool. Won't they hurt when I scuba dive?
Your ears hurt because water pressure pushes in on your ear drum. In your scuba course, you'll learn a simple technique to equalize your ears to the surrounding pressure, much like you do when you land in an airplane, and they won't hurt at all.
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Will the fish bother me?
Most fish will ignore you. It is very exciting to see fish. The larger the better. The prettiest and most abundant fish are in the ocean. The best place to see fish is near shipwrecks and reefs. Some fish will let you get close to them but will stay out of your reach. Some fish are curious and will follow you around. I have been diving for a long time and have seen many sharks, eels and barracudas. The sharks and eels are very shy and are difficult to see. Barracudas are curious and might follow you around making it easy to photograph them.
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I’m afraid of sharks - don’t they attack scuba divers?
In general, attacks by marine animals on divers are extremely rare. Some creatures will react defensively if you disturb them (keep your fingers out of that eel's den!), or they may be interested in any fish you have just speared. Few species of sharks are considered dangerous and even those are highly unlikely to mistake scuba divers for their usual prey of seals, sea lions, and large fish. Our most experienced instructor has logged over 800 dives in the supposedly dangerous Pacific Ocean off California, with no injuries and only one shark sighted. A diver is more "at risk" driving to a dive site than on the actual dive.
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I wear contact lenses or glasses - can I dive with them?
Diving is a visual sport - if you need more than the mildest vision correction above water, you’ll want it underwater. If you wear contacts, you can dive with them with minimal risk of loss. If your contacts are very expensive, try wearing disposable soft contact lenses just for diving; even if one were lost the cost would be low. If you don't wish to wear contacts, you can order corrective lenses for your dive mask for about $30-60 per lens (a dual lens mask is required). As far as vision correction surgery (RK or Lasik correction), the jury is still out, but DAN research indicates there is minimal risk of eye injuries while diving, so long as you properly equalize your mask.
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