| With the increase in the popularity of the sport, | | | | organizations offer some of the best scuba courses |
| numerous centers and programs for scuba diving | | | | and training instructors available. However, the training |
| certification has come up in recent years. In the | | | | method, duration, lessons etc may not be the same |
| United States alone, there are nearly 2000 | | | | with all of them. For example, NAUI courses are |
| professional scuba dive centers. The first thing you'd | | | | often more technical in the classroom than other |
| need to do before joining a program is to check out | | | | programs but can't be said better or worse than the |
| the various centers and find out which one of them | | | | rest. So, the outcome of the training and course will |
| should be most suitable for you. | | | | ultimately depend on your own effort and individual |
| Open Water Diver Certification: | | | | instructor. |
| You have to be at least 15 years old to get the | | | | Bubblemakers, Scuba rangers, and SASY are some |
| open water diver certification. Most open water | | | | of the popular agencies specializing in providing Junior |
| certifications let you dive by yourself without an | | | | Open Water Diver Certification for people between |
| instructor present (if the charter does not make it | | | | ages 10 to 15. |
| compulsory). There is also Junior Open Water Diver | | | | Course: |
| Certification for people between ages 10 to 15. | | | | The duration of a scuba diving certification course |
| Before getting your certification, it is recommended | | | | usually depends on you and your schedule. Basically, it |
| by almost every center that you are in good physical | | | | takes about two to three months to get a full |
| health. Some centers may even require you to obtain | | | | certification which would cost between $175.00 and |
| a medical certificate before enrolling in a certification | | | | $250.00 and may include accessories such as books, |
| program. You also need to know how to swim | | | | tables, and rental equipment etc (you'll have to buy |
| though you don't necessarily have to be good at it. | | | | or rent your own scuba diving equipment). A |
| However, you should be able to swim 200 yards | | | | certification course normally includes classroom work, |
| using any stroke, and be able to float or tread on | | | | examinations, practical skills sessions, and four to five |
| water for about 10 minutes. | | | | open water dives. Classroom work may be held once |
| Scuba Dive Centers for Certification: | | | | a week with more intensive weekends which include |
| There are numerous scuba dive centers around that | | | | advanced reading, while open water dives typically |
| can teach you the technical background knowledge | | | | take two more days. |
| and practical skills of scuba diving, but not all of them | | | | The basic scuba diver certification permits you to |
| are completely reliable. Try to do a little research | | | | dive from 60 to 100 feet below the surface, while an |
| before registering yourself for a program. Also | | | | advanced scuba diving certification allows you to take |
| consider an agency that offers an internationally | | | | deep dives of about 130 feet. The advanced scuba |
| recognized certification card if you travel a lot. | | | | diving certification concentrates more on safety, |
| Some of the most popular and biggest scuba diving | | | | physics, navigation, night diving, physiology diving and |
| certification agencies include PADI, NAUI, YMCA, | | | | the dive tables. |
| Scuba Schools International, and PDIC. These | | | | |