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1. Is learning to dive difficult?
2. How long does it take to become a certified scuba diver?
3. How old do I have to be to become a certified diver?
4. Are there any special qualifications or considerations to participate in a scuba class?
5. Do I have to be a great swimmer to be certified as a PADI Open Water Diver?
6. Is scuba diving expensive?
7. What equipment do I need before I take scuba lessons?
8. What's in a scuba tank? Oxygen?
9. How long does a tank of air last?
10. My ears hurt when I dive to the bottom of a pool. Won't they hurt when I scuba dive?
11. In the movies and on TV, divers are always running into sharks or eels. Should I be
concerned about marine animals?
12. Is scuba diving dangerous?
13. I need vision correction. Is that a problem?
14. Scuba diving sounds exciting, but I'm not sure if it's for me. Can I try it without signing up
for a course?
15. I want to learn about PADI; what is PADI?
16. I'm already a scuba diver and I've lost my certification card. Can I get another one and
how long does it take?
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1. Is learning to dive difficult?
No, it's probably easier than you imagine, especially if you're already comfortable in the water.
PADI's entry-level course consists of pool diving, knowledge development and open water dives. The
course is performance based, meaning that you progress as you learn and demonstrate knowledge and
skill.
2. How long does it take to become a certified scuba diver?
PADI courses are performance based, which means that you earn your certification when you
demonstrate that you've mastered the required skills and knowledge. Because some learn faster than
others, course duration varies. For example, the PADI Open Water Diver course can be split into five
or six sessions
over as little as three days to a much as six weeks.
3. How old do I have to be to become a certified diver?
You must be at least ten years old to receive a Junior Open Water Diver Certification. 10 & 11 year
old Junior Open Water Divers must dive with a certified parent, guardian or PADI Professional to a
maximum depth of 12 metres/40 feet. 12 to 14 year olds must dive with a certified adult. At age 15,
the Junior certification upgrades to a regular Open Water Diver certification.
4. Are there any special qualifications or considerations to participate in a scuba class?
No. Generally speaking, anyone in good average health & at least 10 years old can participate. You
will, however, complete a medical questionnaire. If anything on the questionnaire indicates a reason to
be
cautious about diving, you'll need check with a physician to make sure you can dive.
5. Do I have to be a great swimmer to be certified as a PADI Open Water Diver?
No. You need to be a reasonably proficient swimmer and comfortable in the water. You must swim
200 metres/200 yards nonstop, without a time or specific stroke requirement or a 300 metre/yard
swim with mask, fins and snorkel. You'll also perform a 10 minute tread/float
6. Is scuba diving expensive?
No. Like any hobby or recreation, you can invest however much you want, depending upon your interest
level. Because most dive centers and resorts rent equipment, you can invest in equipment over time,
renting what you don't have. There's probably good diving not far from where you live, so travel
costs can be flexible enough to accommodate even the tightest budget.
7. What equipment do I need before I take scuba lessons?
It's best to check with your instructor ahead of time to see what equipment is provided in your scuba
course. Generally speaking, you'll want to own a mask, snorkel and fins. We can help you select
quality equipment that fits properly. Most scuba equipment is very durable, so you won't have to
replace it often.
8. What's in a scuba tank? Oxygen?
Recreational divers breathe air, not oxygen. The air in a scuba tank is like the air you're breathing
but is also filtered to remove impurities.
Top
9. How long does a tank of air last?
Since people breathe at different rates and as you go deeper you consume air faster, there isn't any
one answer. Because of this, divers carry a gauge that lets them know how much air is in the tank.
However, divers in calm, warm water from 5-10 metres/15-30 feet can spend about one hour
underwater with an average tank.
10. My ears hurt when I dive to the bottom of a pool. Won't they hurt when I scuba dive?
Your ears hurt because of the water pressure on your eardrum. In your scuba course, you'll learn
simple techniques to equalize your ears to the surrounding pressure, much like you do when you land in
an airplane.
11. In the movies and on TV, divers are always running into sharks or eels. Should I be
concerned about marine animals?
Most aquatic animals are passive or timid. A few do bite or sting, but you can avoid these by not
touching them. Divers aren't natural prey for sharks and therefore shark attacks are rare.
12. Is scuba diving dangerous?
No, but there are potential hazards, which is why you need proper training and certification.
Top
13. I need vision correction. Is that a problem?
No. Wearing soft contact lenses shouldn't be a problem while you dive. However, if you wear hard
contacts, you'll want to dive with gas permeable lenses. See your eye doctor for more information.
Another option is to wear prescriptive mask.
14. Scuba diving sounds exciting, but I'm not sure if it's for me. Can I try it without signing up
for a course?
Absolutely. The PADI Discover Scuba Diving experience allows you to make a shallow scuba dive
supervised by a PADI Professional after a short pool session. This usually takes a few hours. Or, you
can try the PADI Discover Scuba experience that lets you try scuba in a swimming pool.
15. I want to learn about PADI; what is PADI?
PADI is the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, the largest scuba certification
organization in the world. PADI develops scuba programs and diver training products, monitors scuba
training conducted
by more than 100,000 PADI Professionals worldwide, maintains diver certification records and issues
your diver certification credentials. In addition, PADI maintains various support services for PADI
Dive Centers and Resorts. Since its inception in 1966 PADI has grown to have members in more than
175 countries and territories and international service offices in nine countries. Approximately seven
out of ten North American divers are certified by PADI, and approximately 55 percent of all divers
worldwide are certified by PADI.
16. I'm already a scuba diver and I've lost my certification card. Can I get another one and how
long does it take?
To replace a lost card you can go to your local PADI Dive Center or Resort, or you can go to the
replacement card area at padi.com. It takes about two weeks to replace a certification card so if you
are diving sooner than that, have the PADI Dive Center or Resort you're diving with call PADI. PADI
will transmit your certification information. If you were certified after 1984 in PADI Asia Pacific,
PADI Americas, PADI Canada, PADI International Limited or PADI Europe territory, PADI Dive
Centers or Resorts can usually verify your certification through the computerized Dive-Chek system
at any time.
Top
2. How long does it take to become a certified scuba diver?
3. How old do I have to be to become a certified diver?
4. Are there any special qualifications or considerations to participate in a scuba class?
5. Do I have to be a great swimmer to be certified as a PADI Open Water Diver?
6. Is scuba diving expensive?
7. What equipment do I need before I take scuba lessons?
8. What's in a scuba tank? Oxygen?
9. How long does a tank of air last?
10. My ears hurt when I dive to the bottom of a pool. Won't they hurt when I scuba dive?
11. In the movies and on TV, divers are always running into sharks or eels. Should I be
concerned about marine animals?
12. Is scuba diving dangerous?
13. I need vision correction. Is that a problem?
14. Scuba diving sounds exciting, but I'm not sure if it's for me. Can I try it without signing up
for a course?
15. I want to learn about PADI; what is PADI?
16. I'm already a scuba diver and I've lost my certification card. Can I get another one and
how long does it take?
><<<(%> ><<<(%> ><<<(%> ><<<(%> ><<<(%>
1. Is learning to dive difficult?
No, it's probably easier than you imagine, especially if you're already comfortable in the water.
PADI's entry-level course consists of pool diving, knowledge development and open water dives. The
course is performance based, meaning that you progress as you learn and demonstrate knowledge and
skill.
2. How long does it take to become a certified scuba diver?
PADI courses are performance based, which means that you earn your certification when you
demonstrate that you've mastered the required skills and knowledge. Because some learn faster than
others, course duration varies. For example, the PADI Open Water Diver course can be split into five
or six sessions
over as little as three days to a much as six weeks.
3. How old do I have to be to become a certified diver?
You must be at least ten years old to receive a Junior Open Water Diver Certification. 10 & 11 year
old Junior Open Water Divers must dive with a certified parent, guardian or PADI Professional to a
maximum depth of 12 metres/40 feet. 12 to 14 year olds must dive with a certified adult. At age 15,
the Junior certification upgrades to a regular Open Water Diver certification.
4. Are there any special qualifications or considerations to participate in a scuba class?
No. Generally speaking, anyone in good average health & at least 10 years old can participate. You
will, however, complete a medical questionnaire. If anything on the questionnaire indicates a reason to
be
cautious about diving, you'll need check with a physician to make sure you can dive.
5. Do I have to be a great swimmer to be certified as a PADI Open Water Diver?
No. You need to be a reasonably proficient swimmer and comfortable in the water. You must swim
200 metres/200 yards nonstop, without a time or specific stroke requirement or a 300 metre/yard
swim with mask, fins and snorkel. You'll also perform a 10 minute tread/float
6. Is scuba diving expensive?
No. Like any hobby or recreation, you can invest however much you want, depending upon your interest
level. Because most dive centers and resorts rent equipment, you can invest in equipment over time,
renting what you don't have. There's probably good diving not far from where you live, so travel
costs can be flexible enough to accommodate even the tightest budget.
7. What equipment do I need before I take scuba lessons?
It's best to check with your instructor ahead of time to see what equipment is provided in your scuba
course. Generally speaking, you'll want to own a mask, snorkel and fins. We can help you select
quality equipment that fits properly. Most scuba equipment is very durable, so you won't have to
replace it often.
8. What's in a scuba tank? Oxygen?
Recreational divers breathe air, not oxygen. The air in a scuba tank is like the air you're breathing
but is also filtered to remove impurities.
Top
9. How long does a tank of air last?
Since people breathe at different rates and as you go deeper you consume air faster, there isn't any
one answer. Because of this, divers carry a gauge that lets them know how much air is in the tank.
However, divers in calm, warm water from 5-10 metres/15-30 feet can spend about one hour
underwater with an average tank.
10. My ears hurt when I dive to the bottom of a pool. Won't they hurt when I scuba dive?
Your ears hurt because of the water pressure on your eardrum. In your scuba course, you'll learn
simple techniques to equalize your ears to the surrounding pressure, much like you do when you land in
an airplane.
11. In the movies and on TV, divers are always running into sharks or eels. Should I be
concerned about marine animals?
Most aquatic animals are passive or timid. A few do bite or sting, but you can avoid these by not
touching them. Divers aren't natural prey for sharks and therefore shark attacks are rare.
12. Is scuba diving dangerous?
No, but there are potential hazards, which is why you need proper training and certification.
Top
13. I need vision correction. Is that a problem?
No. Wearing soft contact lenses shouldn't be a problem while you dive. However, if you wear hard
contacts, you'll want to dive with gas permeable lenses. See your eye doctor for more information.
Another option is to wear prescriptive mask.
14. Scuba diving sounds exciting, but I'm not sure if it's for me. Can I try it without signing up
for a course?
Absolutely. The PADI Discover Scuba Diving experience allows you to make a shallow scuba dive
supervised by a PADI Professional after a short pool session. This usually takes a few hours. Or, you
can try the PADI Discover Scuba experience that lets you try scuba in a swimming pool.
15. I want to learn about PADI; what is PADI?
PADI is the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, the largest scuba certification
organization in the world. PADI develops scuba programs and diver training products, monitors scuba
training conducted
by more than 100,000 PADI Professionals worldwide, maintains diver certification records and issues
your diver certification credentials. In addition, PADI maintains various support services for PADI
Dive Centers and Resorts. Since its inception in 1966 PADI has grown to have members in more than
175 countries and territories and international service offices in nine countries. Approximately seven
out of ten North American divers are certified by PADI, and approximately 55 percent of all divers
worldwide are certified by PADI.
16. I'm already a scuba diver and I've lost my certification card. Can I get another one and how
long does it take?
To replace a lost card you can go to your local PADI Dive Center or Resort, or you can go to the
replacement card area at padi.com. It takes about two weeks to replace a certification card so if you
are diving sooner than that, have the PADI Dive Center or Resort you're diving with call PADI. PADI
will transmit your certification information. If you were certified after 1984 in PADI Asia Pacific,
PADI Americas, PADI Canada, PADI International Limited or PADI Europe territory, PADI Dive
Centers or Resorts can usually verify your certification through the computerized Dive-Chek system
at any time.
Top