Learning to dive is not hard, but like learning any new skill, there are procedures and
techniques that must be mastered. Your course will comprise classroom and pool
sessions, and what you learn in both will progress in parallel. You will learn the "why"
and "how" in class, and put what you've learned into practice in the water. In class
you'll learn such things as the effects of pressure changes, how to read and use the
dive tables, underwater communication and navigation, dive trip planning, how the
equipment works and much more. At the end of each "surface" session you'll probably
be given sample test questions to help make sure you understand the material.
Next you'll head to a pool where you'll be taught how to adapt to the underwater
world. You'll use the equipment and gain practical experience in buddy system
procedures, problem management, equalization techniques and the many other
components that make you a safe and confident diver. You'll conclude your training
with several open water dives. In effect, these dives are your final exam. Under your
instructor's supervision, you'll put all that you've learned into real world practice. At
first it may seem there's too much to learn. But learning to dive can be a gratifying
experience, so remember you're not going to learn it all at once. By devoting a little
effort, you will become a safe and competent diver.
It depends, but generally speaking, you'll receive 20 to 30 hours of instruction. Some
dive courses meet once a week for five or six weeks. Other training programs take a
couple of weekends. And private lessons can provide an alternative way of learning at
your own convenience.
Diving is a wonderful way to escape the cares of the day and relax. The learning
process is also fun, so don't rush the experience. You'll meet people in class you'll like,
and with whom you will want to share the adventure. Don't forget diving is a social
sport too. The point is you can learn on your own schedule and at your own pace, but
to be a safe diver, you've got to learn correctly.
Not really. Expense is a relative term and actual costs will vary depending on what kind
of equipment you want to buy. Most dive center instructors will want you to have
good quality fins, mask and snorkel. Buy good equipment it will last for years.
Don't forget that the dive center deserves and needs to make a profit to stay in
business and serve your needs as a diver. The dive center instructor can suggest what
equipment you'll need for training and fill you in on the lesson's cost. Before beginning
your dive training, sit down with your instructor, work out a schedule, and determine
costs for everything. This way you'll know the cost beforehand, and your new
enthusiasm won't be spoiled by an unplanned, unknown monetary surprise.
Modern dive training uses methods and techniques that have been developed over
decades to make sure the educational systems produce safe recreational divers.
Because of this, scuba diving is one of the safer recreational activities in which you can
participate. The equipment, training, and instructors all work together to make sure
diving is as safe as possible, and diving's safety record show they've done their
homework well.
But you are part of the equation and diving is only as safe as the diver doing it.
"With proper training and good equipment, diving is a safe and enjoyable sport.
Don't forget driving in rush hour traffic is dangerous if you don't know what
you're doing."
In the unlikely event of a dive or medical emergency, students are in good hands.
Every certified dive instructor is required to be a current instructor for CPR and first
aid techniques. Many instructors have had advanced training in dive medicine and know
how to handle events in an emergency. Dive instructors carry first aid kits during open
water dives and can conduct ship to shore communications if aboard a boat.
New divers also play a part in emergency situations and need to know several
techniques for dealing with trouble. Most dive accidents are a result of diver error and
can be avoided with calm, rational and conservative plans for diving.
When at an open water site, every diver should know the telephone numbers for the
nearest hospital, ambulance service, and the Diver's Alert Network (DAN). This
organization provides a worldwide communications network to help divers and their
doctors arrange medical consultation, transportation and treatment by using a central
emergency telephone number. Dan’s 24 hour, seven day a week emergency telephone
number is (919) 684 8111; it can be called collect in an emergency.
Many divers do, but some wait until basic certification training is completed before
buying the majority of their equipment. Your dive center will guide you and as you
begin to dive regularly, gain experience and become interested in some facet of diving
such as wreck diving or underwater photography they'll continue to advise what
equipment best suits your particular diving needs.
Of course you'll need a mask, fins, and snorkel from the beginning, since these items
are personal and often required for training. And some people buy all the other
equipment right away. So they become familiar with during their training.
It depends on the individual. Everyone has a different breathing rate, and the
experience level of a diver influences his air consumption. It also depends on the
depth. A diver uses twice the amount of air 33 feet deep than at the surface.
A student must be at least 1 5 years old to qualify for a full, adult certification card (C
card). Youngsters between 10 14 can be certified as Junior Open Water divers, which
means they must dive with a certified adult diver. There is no upper age limit.
They've been called nature's underwater garbage disposal, but from the sharks'
perspective, there are a lot of smaller creatures that are easier to catch and consume,
so humans don't look that appetizing. And besides, sometimes sharks are even hard
to find, and when you do, they must be provoked before they'll bother divers.
Students have to know how to swim. It's a dive standard that students must
complete a short 200 yard swim and a 10¬minute survival water tread/float. We
stress to all beginning students that they should be comfortable in large bodies of
water.
Each student must complete a medical history form prior to training. This form informs
instructors of a student's medical condition, and there are some items that would
prohibit a diver of any age from participating in the activity.
DAN publishes a chart entitled Fitness for Diving that lists medical problems for divers.
Some of the more serious conditions include: epilepsy, chronic ear infections, diabetes,
active asthma, emphysema, heart disease, hemophilia, claustrophobia, depression, and
addictive drug or alcohol abuse.
There are other conditions which preclude scuba diving, and some temporary
conditions that could delay dive training. For more information contact your physician
or call the Divers Alert Network, (919) 684 2948.
Prospective divers often think that because their ears hurt while at the deep end of a
pool, they can't dive. This is not necessarily true. It most often means that people
suffering from this discomfort haven't learned how to equalize the pressure in their
ears. Equalizing this pressure is an integral part of every dive, and it's one of the first
things a student learns to do. If the new diver can't equalize this pressure, there may
be a medical problem that may prevent, or delay, training and/or certification.
A lot. Almost three quarters of the earth's surface is covered by water, and this
means diving opportunities exist in every part of the world. The c card is a passport to
adventure in any blue water area of the world. But you don't have to go far from
home to enjoy diving.
Once a student is certified, he or she can rent equipment and dive anywhere in the
world. We urge our students to get advanced training, especially for a demanding
diver situation. There are dive stores throughout the world, and they are great
resources for discovering the opportunities available to a newly certified diver. We also
organize special dive trips to exotic locations, and offer advanced or specialized
training for additional diving adventures.
Yes, we will reschedule for you twice, but there are no refunds on your class if you
cancel. There is a set amount of students per class and majority of summer season
classes are full. There is a buy back on any books or DVDs if you cancel your class 2
weeks prior to the class starting. They must be in the original condition. A restocking
fee may apply.