How do you become a certified scuba diver?

Question

I'd like to do that sometime in the future, but I'm not sure how to go about getting a license. Also, how long does it take to become certified, and how long does your license last?

Answer 1

go get a liscens

Answer 2

There are many different certification agencies.  SDI, PADI, NAUI, YMCA, TDI, CMAS, NASDS, SSI.  All of them follow the same basic principle which is to teach you to be a safe and comfortable diver.  There are some basic prerequisites that must be met prior to enrolling in a SCUBA diving course.  For ages 10 through 14 there are specific limits.  They must dive with a parent or guardian and there are depth restrictions which are usually limited to 60 feet. Those in that age bracket receive what is called a junior certification upon completion of the course. Ages 15 and older receive what is called an Open Water Certification.

There are higher levels of certification but I will save that for another question.

The courses consist of academic, confined water training and open water training.  

Academic can be taught in a formal classroom style setting or believe it or not Online.  The Academics are to familiarize you with the basics of scuba, its rules and regulations, safety factors, equipment care and usage.....the basic dos and don'ts that are associated with the underwater world.  There is homework involved in the form of questions at the end of each academic section and/or quizzes and exams that are designed to check your comprehension of the information presented.  It is quite acceptable to have wrong answers as this lets the instructor know that you don't understand something and that they need to reinforce your comprehension of the materials presented.

The confined water is actual hands on training in a controlled environment such as a pool.  The instructor will give a briefing prior to entry into the water and will demonstrate skills both beneficial and vital to safely enjoy the underwater world.  You in turn will demonstrate your proficiency of the skills presented.

The open water portion of the course is to transfer what you learned in the confined water to an actual diving environment.  You will demonstrate your proficiency with the various skills learned.

When all three areas have been completed to the satisfaction of the instructor, you recieve a certification card which is your ticket to explore a whole new world.....The Underwater world.

The certification card never expires but it is recommended that you take a refresher course after a prolonged period of diving inactivity.  Your certification card (c-card) is recognized worldwide

The time frame to complete all three areas varies.  When I took my Open water course 26 years ago the academic and confined water ran one night a week for five weeks in three hour segments. The formal classroom session ran an hour to an hour and a half.  The rest of the time was devoted to the confined water portion of the course.  The open water portion followed which was 2 dives a day for 2 days.

With the advent of online training it is becoming significantly rare to see a schedule like the one I went through. A typical online schedule allows you to complete the academics in the comfort of your home at your own pace.  The confined water is based on comfort level and proficiency.  Three sessions seems to be the norm these days.  The open water portion is still held over a period of two days.

Word to the wise.  A scuba course is only as good as the instructor who teaches it regardless of their training agency affiliation.  It doesn't hurt to ask around for any recommendations in your area.  The training agency websites all have a locator which allows you to find a facility near you.

Remember that I said I got certified 26 years ago? What I didn't mention was that 25 of those 26 years have been spent teaching people to become scuba divers.

Answer 3

Well you have to first take a little course about all the equipment, etc. Then a dive master will take you out on 2 dives to test your knowledge (but you are only allowed 15 or 30m deep I think) After that you take a scuba exam and if you pass, you get your license!

To get mine it only took 3 days. But the more you dive, the higher you get ranked. And if you're a beginner you can only go diving with a dive master, which is a top ranked scuba diver. They have dived like 1000 times I think or something.

I got my license in the Dominican Republic, but I'm pretty sure the way you go about getting your license is the same there as it is in Canada or the U.S or wherever. Hope this helps!

Answer 4

well to get certified you have to take a class. There are two certification groups. I was certified by NAUI and i can't recall the other one, but the class I took was offered by a SCUBA shop in my area. I'd recommend looking online for scuba stores in your area or classes in you area but usually they are offered by the shop. The certification course is over the course of about a week and can be done all at once or the way I did it every weekend for about a month so depending on your schedule you can do it either way. The certification involves classes taking a written test and an actual dive and pool time. Your license is valid for the rest of your life but if you havent used it in say 6 months to a year its best to take refresher courses they offer to familiarize yourself with it again.