| SCUBA stands for | | | | offer clear and relaxed conditions and have hundreds |
| Self-Contained-Underwater-Breathing-Apparatus and | | | | of dive centers to choose from.You can find diving |
| has become popular the last few years because it's | | | | courses on Diving Answers, we collect diving courses |
| exciting, a sport for everyone and because the | | | | from all over the world and put them on one page... |
| technology has made it easier and easier.You | | | | simple! It is an easy way to find your first diving |
| probably remember Jacques Cousteau who has done | | | | course and we would be more than happy to give |
| very well for the SCUBA industry with his wonderful | | | | you any advice in our forum or per email. |
| underwater videos. Since his videos and underwater | | | | Independent advice, because we do not sell holidays |
| explorations, SCUBA diving has become more and | | | | or courses our selves.What to look for? |
| more popular. At the moment of writing (06/2006), | | | | Don't only look at the price, look at the contact and |
| PADI, the world's largest diving organisation has more | | | | response you get from the dive center as well, talk |
| than 130,000 dive professionals and around 5300 | | | | with your future instructor and staff, and ask many |
| PADI Dive Centers and Resorts operating in 180 | | | | questions regarding the course, accommodation, |
| countries and territories.Where do I find a dive | | | | study materials, exams, performance requirements |
| center? | | | | etc. Diving instructors should have more than plenty |
| The best place for you to find a dive center is | | | | of patience and most instructors are really friendly |
| probably on the website of PADI ( You can find | | | | people who would love to help you out.Don't be |
| PADI dive centers in more than 180 countries. This | | | | afraid because they train people everyday. Look for |
| means that you will probably locate one close to your | | | | quality and not quantity. It is not important how long |
| home. You can contact the dive center with your | | | | an instructor has been training or how many students |
| requests and they will be more than happy to | | | | he or she has trained so far. It is about how much |
| provide you with any information you need.On holiday | | | | effort, devotion and love he or she puts in their |
| or rather at home? | | | | work. Do you rather certify with a diving instructor |
| That totally depends on what you want to do. You | | | | that makes sure that you know what you are doing |
| can even combine it! It is possible to do the theory | | | | or are you just looking for a certification? Remember: |
| and swimming pool lessons at your dive center at | | | | you pay for the course, not for a certification.I |
| home, and to do your open water dives during your | | | | promise you a fun and unforgettable adventure while |
| favourite diving holiday. It is called a referral, just ask | | | | breathing for the first time underwater. Have |
| your dive center to arrange it for you; most of the | | | | fun!Youri Vlag (from the Netherlands and living in the |
| time they have special deals for you. Referrals are | | | | United Kingdom) is an experienced PADI instructor |
| usually valid for 12 months so you can take your time | | | | and EFR instructor and has worked as a dive guide |
| for it.Some popular destinations for SCUBA diving are | | | | and dive instructor in Thailand and Egypt. |
| the Red Sea and the Caribbean. Both destinations | | | | |