How To Get Scuba Certified

Scuba diving is a fun and relaxing activity, but there are a few things you need to do before you can start. One of the first things you'll need to do is get scuba certified. This is relatively easy to do. It usually involves finding an approved course and instructor, completing the lessons and getting certified as a scuba diver.

The steps outlined below will help you in your quest to get scuba certified:

PADI  stands for Professional Association of Dive Instructors. This is the largest recognized scuba certification agency in the world. This is a standard certification for dive instructors, agencies and schools. The course for certification will be the same no matter where you choose to take it. All instructors will teach the same program and the requirements to pass will be the same everywhere.

So the first step will be to find a school or instructor in your area. This can be done through a Google search or by looking in your local phone book. Of course, if you are planning to scuba dive while on vacation and your area doesn't have any dive schools, you may have to find a location outside of your immediate area that is still close enough for you to drive there. The time it takes to complete the training may vary depending on the school. Some schools may have video training to cover the basics, but others require you to attend training in a classroom.

After you have found a school, the next step is to register for the class.  The school will tell you how much the course will cost and how long it will take for the training. They will also provide you with all the necessary training materials, such as an instruction manual and equipment to use. You may be required to purchase your own wetsuit and accessories such as the mouthpiece and goggles.

Part of your training will include required supervised hands on training sessions in a pool. Once you have been trained in the use of the equipment and have completed the necessary supervised dive time, you will be eligible to take the exam for certification. Some schools may have the credentials required to give you the final exam, but if not there are places all around the country where you can take the exam - possibly even at your vacation site! Once you have passed the exam, you will be issued a license to scuba dive.

When you are scuba certified, you can scuba dive anywhere in the world. All you'll need to do to schedule dive time at a resort or when on vacation is show your diving certificate to prove you have the necessary hours of training.