How to Get Scuba Certified

Getting certified as a scuba diver is a fairly involved process but is worth it because of the underwater freedom it gives you. Here's how to get started.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Open-water Scuba Manuals
• Dive Watches
• 2 Scuba Regulators
• Buoyancy Compensators
• Certified Scuba Tanks
• Depth Gauges
• Dive Masks
• Dive Weight Belts
• Snorkels
• Swimming Fins
• Underwater Compasses
• Wet Suits

1. Contact local dive shops for information about certification courses.
2. Pay for course you choose. Prices vary from several hundred to several thousand dollars.
3. Begin with several weeks of lecture and textbook study.
4. Go on training dives in swimming pools.
5. Go on supervised open-water dives.
6. Obtain certification.
7. Receive a laminated license and a logbook. The license will allow you to buy equipment, and the logbook will let dive charter operators know that you have enough recent dive experience.

Tips & Warnings

• Talk to instructor before signing up for a course, and ask to see the facilities and equipment you will be using. Get a recommendation from previous students if you can.
• Instructors can be licensed through one of several recognized organizations. These include: National Association of Scuba Diving Schools (NASDS), National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI), and Professional Association of Dive Instructors (PADI).
• These organizations offer training programs for open-water divers starting at age 15, programs for younger divers at age 12, skin-diving programs and more advanced and technical programs.
• The training manuals for most of these courses are available in bookstores and libraries. Look over the literature to see which program is best for you.
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• Most charter and tour operators will insist that you take a refresher course if you have not logged any dives within the past two years.
• Inquire about the refund policy before you pay for the course. Most organizations will not refund your money in the middle of a training program, but they may allow you to finish the course at a later time with a different instructor.
• Scuba diving is an inherently dangerous activity that can result in serious injury or death. We recommend that you seek proper training and equipment before attempting this activity.