How to Get Scuba Certified in Florida

Scuba diving can be a peaceful adventure if you are scuba certified.

The advantage of getting certified in scuba (Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) in Florida is that this will allow you to dive in the Florida Keys, the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, which are beautiful areas to dive. If you are interested in scuba diving you should always be scuba certified before you enter the water with scuba gear on. Scuba diving may look simple, but it can be dangerous if you are not properly trained on the equipment. Scuba lessons train you on the proper breathing techniques while wearing the scuba gear, how to swim in different currents with the gear on and what to do if there is an equipment failure.

Things You'll Need

• Medical waver

Instructions

1. Select the scuba company you would like to train with. (See Resources.) There are many to choose from in Florida.

2. Sign up for the scuba course online or over the phone. Each school offers many different levels of training, but the basic scuba certification contains an academic, pool and open-water course.

3. Complete the academics portion of the course. You will be taught the safety procedures required along with the science behind scuba diving. The course will cover different weather conditions, equipment failure and emergency techniques. If you complete the course online you can go at your own pace; if you choose a classroom setting it will normally be a minimum of three sessions.

4. Complete the pool training. You will learn how to set up your equipment, how to properly and safely swim with your scuba gear on and the proper way to use it while under water in a swimming pool. There are normally three to four days of pool training.

5. Complete the open-water portion of the course. It usually takes four open-water boat dives to complete the course. You will be guided by your instructor on the proper dive etiquette while in the open water, learning to be aware of your surroundings. Courses often include a nighttime dive to learn the difference in visibility under water.

References

• The Scuba Guide: Scuba Diving
• Scuba Marcos: What is PADI
• The Scuba Guide: What is Scuba

Resources

• Aqua Sports: DIVE-PRO
• Florida Keys Dive Center: Scuba Diver
• Force-E: Scuba Instruction and Scuba Certification