How to Get Scuba Diving Certification

Recreational scuba diving certifications are issued by many different agencies for those that want to work as divers or for personal enjoyment. There are many levels that will prepare you for diving from the very basics to the advanced professional level diving. This article talks about where to start, some common levels of scuba diving certifications that you can get and the costs of getting such training.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. There are several agencies in which you can get your scuba diving certifications from. They are all very professional and have courses that lead to certification in a similar fashion. The one you that decided to choose depends on your locations / availability of that agency in the local area and which organization your preferred instructor belongs to. Here is a list of popular agencies that certifies diving.
   
   PADI – Professional Association of Diving Instructors
   NAUI – National Association of Underwater Instructors
   DSAT – Diving Science and Technology
   SSI – Scuba Schools International
   YMCA – Young Men’s Christian Association scuba

2. For those that are new to scuba diving, the open water certification is a great introductory scuba diving certification that teaches all the basic aspects. There are some basic requirements such as age, ability to swim, and physical fitness. You will have to be in great physical shape to be successful at diving.

3. After you choose a reputable scuba diving certification agency that is convenient for you and registered for their open water certification, you can save money by doing the written or theory portion of it online. It will cost less than in a traditional classroom. This option also gives working professionals the flexibility to study when they have time. The written part costs about one hundred dollars. There is some training that is done in the pool; there are the accelerated version and another version which is taught over several weekends. Although lots of people choose the accelerated version, it is best to take it slow and learn it well. This portion will prepare you for the actual open water diving.

4. After the training in the swimming pool, you will be referred to an open water diving course which is several days to practice what you learned in the pool. You will have to demonstrate that you are fully competent in diving and will receive the open water certification for life without renewal. This part starts from a few hundred dollars to more; it will be more expensive if you choose to do it at a resort over several days. But the experience will be a mini vacation and unforgettable.

5. After obtaining the open water certification, there are lots more certifications that will teach you more advanced techniques that preps you for professional career that involves diving. The advanced open water and rescue diver are two advanced levels that you should choose to pursue if you want to dive on the job. Bare in mind that these classes are more expensive than the open water certification because of the levels of complexity involved.

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on 10/7/2009 I Like IT!