| There are only really 3 basics to getting started on a | | | | going to dive at home once qualified, then you might |
| scuba diving course and these are: | | | | need to undertake an additional dry suit specialist |
| 1 - you must be in good health - you should not have | | | | training course to allow you to dive in one of these. |
| a cold (unless you are partaking of a referral and only | | | | 2 - Complete the training in cold water at home. If |
| doing the out of water sections for now) and certain | | | | you are going to be diving a lot in cold water, then |
| medical conditions such as back problems, asthma | | | | why not learn in cold water? When you then dive in |
| and migraines might stop you from being able to | | | | warmer water with the freedom of a wet suit |
| start the training. | | | | instead of a dry suit you will appreciate how much |
| 2 - you must be confident in the water - you do not | | | | easier it really is! It also means that the dry suit |
| need to be a fantastic swimmer, but you must be | | | | training is out of the way along with the initial training, |
| able to be happy in the water. You will have to take | | | | which can make the whole training a lot more |
| part in a swimming test comprising of some | | | | affordable! |
| swimming (not timed, just a set distance) and then | | | | 3 - Undertake a referral and split the training. If you |
| treading water for a set time. The exact time and | | | | do not want to spend your entire holiday diving, then |
| distance depends on the training organisation. | | | | a referral might be best for you. There are about 2 |
| 3 - you must be ready, willing and able to learn! | | | | full days of training out of the water and then 4 |
| Simple as that. As long as you can read the manuals | | | | dives. If you are only away for a week and allowing |
| and the exam paper and fill in a multiple choice paper, | | | | for not diving the day before you fly, then this really |
| you should be there. | | | | does take up most of the holiday. So referrals split |
| Now all that you need to do is to choose where and | | | | the training. The classroom work and the initial pool |
| when to do your training. There are three options | | | | work is done at home when you have plenty of |
| available, depending on when you intend to be diving | | | | time. Then, when you fly out to your tropical |
| in the future. These are | | | | hotspot, you are then just left with the final 4 |
| 1 - Complete all of your training abroad in warm | | | | training dives and then you are a qualified diver. |
| water. Great if you are only going to be a holiday | | | | And that is it! As long as you are healthy you just |
| diver as it avoids the discomforts and additional | | | | need to decide whether to learn at home or abroad |
| training involved in cold water training. If you are | | | | or split the training. |