SCUBA certification?

Question

How long does it take to get certified, how much does it cost, and what organization should I contact?

Answer 1

Its great that your getting into it, youll love it, definetly my drug of choice.

First, there are a few different organizations that are recognized, primarily PADI or NASE. Theres really not much difference. Compare it to one person having a drivers lisence in Florida and another person in California. (Sorta, kinda....)

I would go with PADI simply for the reason that if you go to rent gear, they are able to look your certification up online if you forgot your card. You have to have your card before you rent gear or have your tanks filled. But either way, the certifications are the same.

Different dive shops offer different classes. The difference is time and cost. Some even offer private lessons but far more costly. You can get certified in as little as a weekend with some dive instructors but I wouldnt recomend it. Generally its anywhere from 2-3 weeks depending on how they schedule class time and pool time and everyone is a little different.

Cost really depends on where you live and there can be some room for negotiation. For example, I was certified 15 yrs ago. I did my book work in Chicago since I lived there at the time but I wanted my open water dive somewhere cool. The instructor gave me a price break for doing the test dive somewhere else. Although I had to find a place to offer it to me and pay them so it all worked out to be about the same. Ive seen open water certification for as little as $175 recentlt but its usually between 2-300. Dont get taken by tourist traps, Ive seen it as high as 550.

Scuba is initially expensive if you purchase your own gear which I would HIGHLY recomend. I travel a lot with business and used to take my gear (excluding tanks ofcourse) with me everywhere I went. After you buy everything that you need its a pretty cheap sport considering you only pay for air refills after that. However, the more you get into it youll constantly want to upgrade equipment, try different dives, pay for charters ect. So, it can be costly. I do a lot of fresh water dives as well and I really enjoy it. I usually spear fish in fresh water.

If you do plan on purchasing your own equipment, might not be a bad idea to go with used. I find that often people get into diving, spend tons of money and then a few years later the sell their epuipment for pennies on the dollar.

Price around. Contact local dive shops and see what theyre offering. I have found that South Florida is the cheapest place to get certified and buy equipment. (Everyone dives there it seems.) I live in Idaho so I never buy any large item here. Too expensive.

Good luck and remember, safety safety safety. The team that I dive with is fanatical about safety and I have never seen anything go wrong as long as fundamental safety practices are adheared to. Feel free to contact me anytime if I can help.

Answer 2

The course generally requires 2 evenings of theory, including quizzes and the written exam. The diving section of it, will include 2 confined water dives in a pool (usually done the same evening) and 2 open water dives at a small lake or quarry if one is avaliable nearby, also done same day, usually on a Saturday. It could take longer, it really depends on your schedule.

The cost of the course is about $250 canadian dollars, that SHOULD include use of gear such as wetsuit, BC, lead, booties, tank and regs. The rest of the gear is considered "personal" and ought to be puchased for the individual diver. These include Mask (everyone's face is different), fins (same here) and snorkel. This will add an additional $300 canadian dollars for quality gear. Don't skimp on this part, spend what you can afford. A mask that doesn't fit well, is just like having no mask at all. Try before you buy.

As for the training organizations,it will likely depend on where you live, as to which org you cert with. NAUI still is pretty strong in the USA, with PADI taking over, whereas, finding a NAUI shop here (Canada) or in the UK is rare. BSAC, in the UK would be your best bet, they're predominent if you live there and in my opinion, turn out far better divers than PADI or NAUI, simply because they're certs demand a bit more from the individual. I say this, even though I am PADI cert'd, simply because I've dived with both and had my PADI rescue taught by a BSAC instructor that was on loan, and he went above and beyond the PADI cirriculum.

PADI and NAUI are about the same in quality, here in North America.

Your over riding concern, shouldn't be what organization, really, but a combination of how you feel about the dive shop and it's staff and it's proximity to you. Not all dive centres are created equal. I drive an extra 10 miles, to go to one I feel better about and it isn't the closest. It's a big investment, that requires a good deal of after support on the part of the shop. If they can't provide it, you won't be enjoying it or diving as often as you want to. Shop around, try to talk to other divers in the area, to get a feel for the shops.

Answer 3

The org I am sure you will find is PADI. It should take several weekends and a couple of evenings for the theory. No Idea of cost sorry. Did mine 20 years ago.

Answer 4

There are a number of SCUBA associations, but PADI is one of the best because it is recognized internationally. That means when you go on vacation in another country, your certification will still be valid and you can rent scuba gear and do a dive. Check in your phone book for the dive shop nearest to you, and they will be able to put you in touch with an instructor. Or google up PADI and look for someone close to you. Some universities and colleges offer certified dive courses as well, so who you take your classes with depends largely on where you live and what your local options are.

Classes can cost anywhere from $250 to $500 depending on whether you take a basic course or an advanced course, whether you are using your own equipment or their equipment, etc.etc. And of course, costs can vary from one city to the next.

This is a great time of year to get your certification because with autumn and winter ahead, the water conditions will be clearer (if you live in North America) and your visibility will be better. Spring and summer diving can be clouded by algae bloom and runoff and other factors, but winter diving is really cool. And yes, your wet suit will keep you comfortable, even in the winter.

SCUBA is serious stuff, and you need to pay attention when you are in class. Your life, and your buddy's life, could depend on it. But for a well trained diver, it's a wonderful sport.

Answer 5

Well, it's been a while since I got my NAUI certification. The course was about a week long, and I forget how much it cost...I believe at least several hundred, plus basic equipment, such as fins, mask, snorkel.

Just google "scuba certification", or look in the yellow pages. There may be more than one certifying body (there was when I got mine), but any type is fine...they all have great instructors I'm sure and the certification is good globally, meaning that you can present your certification in order to rent scuba gear.

Answer 6

PADI- the Proffessional Association of Diving Instructors.  

<www.padi.com> they have certified instructors all over the world. It takes four days to get certified, and could set you back a few hundred bucks, it depends on the dive shop. You don't have to buy equipment, they rent it. I feel confident about PADI because of their emphasis on safety, even though I quit because scuba made me claustrophobic, but hey you might love it.

Answer 7

There are several certifying organizations.

PADI is the largest. It costs approx $200 and takes about two weekends.

Good luck!

Answer 8

I'm doing mine right now. I googled for a diving center in the area, or you can use the yellow pages online. Choose one recognized by PADI. The basic training you need is the Open Water course. Mine cost about $400 + $350 canadian for basic equipment like mask, snorkel, fins and boots. Although you can always rent all the equipment you should pick the basic ones to suit your comfort. We have six mondays in the course, with an hour and half of theory and an hour and half of practice in the pool. there is a book that comes in to cover the theory, 5 chapters, with each week covering a chapter and its practice. The diving center offers intensive classes, basically you can get your certification whenever you want as long as you read your book and do the practice with an instructor.

If you like Scuba Diving stay in touch with your local diving center they offer diving trips and barbecues to diving sites around your area or can even organize trips down south and to some exotic locations.

Good Luck and have fun !