| A necessary and important course in scuba diving is | | | | Association of Dive Instructors (PADI), and National |
| getting a diving certification, which teaches a diver all | | | | Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI). |
| the scuba theory as well as practical performance of | | | | - Start with several weeks of lecture and textbook |
| open water scuba-diving, without which one will not | | | | study. The training manuals for the majority of these |
| be able to dive, and taking any risk is not an option | | | | courses are also obtainable in bookstores and libraries. |
| either. There are a lot of scuba classes in nearly all | | | | Reading on literature may help one see which |
| cities where one gets an actual training in a swimming | | | | program will best work for him/her. |
| pool. | | | | - Get training dives in swimming pools. The course |
| Another option is to get certified in a favorite diving | | | | would usually involve training in swimming pools to |
| destination where a lot of scuba resorts offer | | | | give each diver a grip on the equipments as well as |
| certification courses, which is often a good option as | | | | practice certain safety measures learned during the |
| the training precedes loads of open water dives on | | | | lectures. |
| the reef where a true taste of the dive is | | | | - Get supervised open-water dives. The next step in |
| experienced. | | | | a certification course involves taking students to |
| So how does one get one of these diving | | | | tranquil shallow open waters, to give them a first |
| certifications? Well, getting a dive certificate is | | | | hand experience of scuba diving and applying all |
| moderately challenging and a fairly involved process, | | | | lessons learnt throughout the course. |
| but is all worth it because of the underwater | | | | - Obtain Certification. The certified scuba instructor |
| freedom it gives a certified diver. There are certain | | | | makes a decision upon his discretion, gives the |
| steps to be followed: | | | | certificate to the student. |
| - Get in contact with local dive shops for information | | | | - Be given a laminated license and a logbook. The |
| about scuba classes. Always talk to instructors | | | | license allows the diver to buy scuba diving |
| before signing up for any course, and ask to see the | | | | equipments and the logbook lets the dive charter |
| equipment and facilities used; get a suggestion from | | | | operators confirm that you have ample current dive |
| previous students if possible. | | | | experience. Scuba diving is a fun and thrilling water |
| - Enroll and pay for the diving certification course | | | | sport activity, but it can also be dangerous if the |
| chosen. Make sure that the instructors are licensed | | | | proper training and equipment are not obtained |
| through one of the several recognized licensing | | | | before attempting to do the dive. A dive certificate |
| organizations, which include: National Association of | | | | ensures that all safety precautions are met and all |
| Scuba Diving Schools (NASDS), Professional | | | | scuba diving rules are followed. |