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Learning
to dive is a fantastic and rewarding experience. Classes
are fun and easy and can become a new family experience.
For most certification agencies, you must be 15 years
of age for certification. However children 10 -15 may
earn a Jr. Certification. Jr. divers must complete the
same class and meet the same physical and aptitude reqirements,
but they must dive with a certified adult. Children under
12 cannot become diver certified, but there are a number
of courses and programs available that introduce them
to the underwater world.
There are introductory classes to give you just a taste
of what diving is all about, or you may choose a full
certification courses that can be completed while you
are on vacation. And if you have already started your
course and just need the open water dives, you have a
great excuse for a great trip to complete your class in
a tropical location?
Resort Course or Introduction to Scuba
This course is designed to give you a diving experience
and the opportunity to "try it before you buy it".
The class includes a short lecture to give you some basic
knowledge, a pool session to acclimate yourself to the
equipment and breathing underwater, and finally a open
water ocean dive on a shallow reef in calm conditions,
under the supervision of a qualified dive instructor.
This class does not lead to certification.
Certification Course
If you are ready to take the plunge, the Basic or Open
Water course can be completed at your local dive center
or while on vacation. If you take a local class, you have
the flexibility to sign up for weekend or evening classes
that fit your schedule. You can also complete a class
while on vacation and become certified in as little as
3 - 5 days.
While courses may vary a little among different certification
agencies, most of the content is similar. You will be
required to sign a medical statement to assure that you
are able to dive. If there is any question, you will need
to get clearance from your doctor (standard forms are
available from your instructor). Generally you will be
required to have the ability to swim 200 yards and tread
water for 10 minutes. You will undergo academic training
in the classroom which may include bookwork, lectures,
videos and slides, pool sessions to practice and reinforce
what you have learned, and a series of open water dives
to fine tune your new skills in the diving environment.
Referral Program
Many people begin their scuba training with their local
dive center where they complete the classroom and pool
portions of the course. Then while on vacation, you can
complete the open water dives portion of your course and
receive your certification. This is an excellent and popular
way to become certified, and is called the Referral Program.
Your local instructor or dive center will provide the
necessary paperwork to show that the initial portion was
completed satifactorily and the instructor at the open
water location will conduct your dives and issue your
certification. Enjoy the warm clear waters of a tropical
location as you complete your dive training. The open
water dives can be completed in two days, then your off
on your own for more diving.
Remember to check ahead to make sure the referrel program
for your agency is available. Your local dive center should
be able to help with this.
Certification Agencies
So which is best certification agency to certify with?
All major agencies are members of the Recreational Scuba
Training Council (RSTC) and adhere to the same general
rules and course contents. Classes vary in length, and
reqiurements to continue your diving education may differ,
but what you learn to become a diver will generally be
the same. The best advice is to check with local dive
centers and find out who they are affiliated with. Remember,
you will probably be using them for advanced and specialty
training later on. As for travel destinations, most accept
all major certification cards. We have included a list
of major agencies below to help you get more information.
Your diver certification card is your ticket to fun and
adventure. But don't stop with an entry course. There
is a whole new world awaiting down there. Continue your
education to become more comfortable and experienced,
learn underwater photography, fish identification, explore
wrecks, and much, much more.
Cost for Dive Gear
The costs of scuba diving equipment can easily run over
$1,000 dollars. Although renting is always an option,
for a diver that is developing a long term interest in
this sport, purchasing is worth your while, not just in
money but also in the quality of your scuba equipment.
Without going into the pros and cons of renting vs buying
the scuba diving equipment, let's talk about the various
types of scuba equipment that you should consider buying
and how much you should budget for spending on them.
Mask: a mask can range from $20 to $150.00 dollars. A
mask has relatively little travel inconvenience compared
to other scuba equipment so packing it in a suitcase and
walking around in it will not be a big challenge.
Snorkel: They should not run you more than $50.00, and
the lower end will be around $17.00
Fins: Although they are not as easy to pack as a pair
of snorkels, they range from $30 to $150.00 and are more
affordable than many other scuba diving equipment.
Regulator: They range from $150 - $500, sometimes even
more and are at the higher end of the price range than
other scuba equipment.
Exposure suits: They vary according to type (ie wetsuit
vs drysuit). Check here for types and prices.
BC: Typically from $150 to $500.00 and like regulators,
are also at the high end of the price range than other
scuba diving equipment.
Weights: $1.70 a pound.
Tanks: Between $100 to $400.
Remember, the last two are heavier to carry around than
the others. We recommend buying tanks and weights last,
and the others before as they are less expensive, and
easier to pack and travel with.
The maintenance for scuba equipment is astonishingly the
same. Although there is specific preventative care that
is required for only for dive suits, tanks, or BCs, there
are some things you can do to all your scuba gear that
will insure a long life for them.
After every dive, make sure to give your all of your scuba
gear a good rinse with fresh water.
After rinsing the scuba diving gear, allow it to dry,
but not in direct sunlight. Most of the scuba equipment
that you carry is made of neoprene rubber, which can be
broken down when exposed to direct sunlight. Extra care
should be taken between dives, when they are most vulnerable
to the sun, especially in tropical climates
Whether you have a wet or a dry suit, neoprene exposure
suits should be hung on a non-wire hanger to dry. Wire
hangers can cause unnecessary creases.
All your scuba diving equipment should be stored in a
cool, yet dry place.
Separate your neoprene related equipment from your other
scuba gear, especially if they are damp. Over time, they
can stick together and tear when pulled apart.
After you return from your dive trip, make sure to unpack
as soon as possible to prevent any compression or flattening
of the scuba equipment that you paid good money for.
For More Information Contact Your Local Dive Center
Or Contact a Certification Agency Below
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ANDI
- American Nitrox Divers International
74 Woodcleft Avenue
Freeport, NY 11520
USA
Tel: 516-546-2026
Fax: 516-546-6010
andihq@aol.com
http://www.andihq.com/ |
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Dive
Rescue International
201 North Link Lane
Fort Collins, Colorado
80524-2712
Ph. (800) 280-2979
Ph. (970) 482-0887
Fax. (970) 482-0893
training@diverescueintl.com
http://www.diverescueintl.com
Dive Rescue International provides training to professional
rescue and recovery divers, underwater investigators,
and public safety personnel. Training, Technical
Support, Equipment, and Service. We offer over 28
certification programs through 2000 instructors.
Programs are RSTC and NFPA compliant. |
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HSA
INTERNATIONAL (HANDICAPPED SCUBA ASSOC.)
1104 El Prado
San Clemente, CA 92672-4637
USA
Tel: 714-498-6128
Fax: 714-498-6128
hsa@hsascuba.com
http://www.hsascuba.com/ |
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IANTD
- International Association of Nitrox and Technical
Divers, Inc.
9628 NE 2nd Avenue Suite D
Miami Shores, FL 33138-2767
USA
Tel: 305-751-4873
Fax: 305-751-3958
iantdhq@ix.netcom.com
http://www.iantd.com |
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IDEA
- International Diving Educators Association
Headquarters
P.O. Box 8427
Jacksonville, FL32239
USA
Tel: 904-744-5554
Fax: 904-743-5425
ideahq@idea-scubadiving.com
http://www.idea-scubadiving.com/ |
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MDEA
- MULTINATIONAL DIVING EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION
MDEA, Medical,Technical, Commercial
PO BOX 3433
Marathon Shores, FL 33052
Tel. 305-743-6188
techdiver@uplogon.com
http://www.upbluewaterdivers.com |
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NACD
- National Association for Cave Diving
Membership Committe,
P.O. Box 14492
Gainesville, FL 32604
info@safecavediving.com
http://www.safecavediving.com |
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NASDS
- NATIONAL ASSOC. OF SCUBA DIVING SCHOOLS
NASDS has merged with SSI. Please see SSI below. |
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NASE
- National Academy of Scuba Educators
1728 Kingsley Ave., Ste. 105
Orange Park, FL 32073
Phone: 800-728-2262
Fax: 904-269-2283
nasescuba@msn.com |
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NAUI
- NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF UNDERWATER INSTRUCTORS
9942 Currie Davis Dr., Suite H
Tampa, FL 33619-2667
USA
Ph. (800) 553-6284
Ph. (813) 628-6284
Fax: 813-628-8253
nauihq@nauiww.org
training@nauiww.org
http://www.naui.org/ |
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NSS-Cave
Diving Section
NSS-CDS Administrative Office
P.O. Box 38057
Tallahassee, FL 32315-8057
USA
Ph. 850-536-0351
Fax. 407-292-0848
cds@caves.org
http://www.cavediver.org/
The NSS Cave Diving Section is the largest cave
diving organization in the United States with members
in almost every state. |
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P.D.I.C.
INTERNATIONAL
1554 Gardner Avenue
Scranton, PA18509
USA
Tel: 717-342-1480
Fax: 717-342-1276
info@pdic-intl.com
http://www.pdic-intl.com/ |
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PADI
(Professional Association of Diving Instructors)
Worldwide Headquarters
30151 Tomas Street
Ranch Santa Margarita, CA 92688-2125
Ph. 800-729-7234 voice
Fax. 949-858-4338
http://www.padi.com |
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SSI
- Scuba Schools International - Headquarters
2619 Canton Court
Fort Collins, CO 80525-4498
USA
Tel: 970-482-0883
Fax: 970-482-6157
admin@ssiusa.com
http://www.ssiusa.com/ |
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Technical
Diving International (TDI)
9 Coastal Plaza Suite 300
Bath, ME04530
USA
Tel: 207-442-8391
Fax: 207-442-9042
worldhq@tdisdi.com
http://www.tdisdi.com/tdi/tdihome.html |
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YMCA
National Scuba Program
101 N. Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
Ph. (800) 872-9622
Fax. (312) 977-0894 fax
scuba@ymca.net
http://www.ymcascuba.org/ |
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