| Whether you're in search of scuba diving | | | | divemaster, where he or she can lead |
| equipment, repairs, maintenance or diving | | | | expeditions and instruct. First aid |
| certification, the dive shop is the place to | | | | certification is offered at many dive shops |
| begin your adventure! Here you can also meet | | | | too. The educational extras are seemingly |
| with other divers, find information about a | | | | limitless! |
| diving vacation or perhaps learn about all of | | | | |
| the educational aspects of scuba diving. | | | | One of the best things about the dive shop is |
| | | | the opportunity to join a divers club and |
| The most obvious reason to visit the dive | | | | partake in a fun community of adventurous |
| shop is to purchase scuba diving equipment. | | | | go-getters. While some of the activities |
| While the initial investment can set you back | | | | center around diving in caves or wrecks, |
| anywhere from $1500 to $3000, beginner | | | | there are also pasta, karaoke and movie |
| rentals can be as little as $40, with | | | | nights to help build long-lasting friendships |
| additional air tanks for just $10. | | | | and give solo divers someone with whom they |
| | | | can share their hobby. |
| You can ask a certified instructor which | | | | |
| supplies are essential, what kind of dive | | | | Some divers need that extra push to keep them |
| lights work best, or where to go scuba | | | | routinely diving, since we often lose sight |
| diving. | | | | of our pleasures in the hustle and bustle of |
| | | | a busy day, unless we set aside appropriate |
| Advanced divers can stop in to ensure their | | | | time and make scuba diving part of our |
| scuba gear is properly maintained. For | | | | schedule. |
| instance, regulators and BCDs should be | | | | |
| inspected annually and tanks should also be | | | | The divers club usually offers weekly or |
| inspected for corrosion on a regular basis. | | | | biweekly events, taking beginners and |
| | | | advanced divers to new places that they may |
| Lights and dive computers, which are | | | | not find on their own. |
| extremely sensitive to light, dirt and water, | | | | |
| should be routinely checked by a technician | | | | Sometimes the dive shop sets up travel |
| as well. However, the most frequent reason to | | | | expeditions for the more advanced diver in |
| visit the dive shop is usually just to grab | | | | search of adventure in the Bahamas, on |
| an extra tank of air or Nitorx for the next | | | | Blackbeard's Ship or off the coast of North |
| big trip. | | | | Carolina. You'll feel grateful to have plans |
| | | | made for you, so all you have to do is show |
| For curious newcomers, the dive shop features | | | | up and get started! |
| a plethora of educational and certification | | | | |
| courses. At The Great American Diving Company | | | | Generally, you can get the best deals on |
| in St Louis Missouri, beginners can even try | | | | all-inclusive diving trips through a shop |
| scuba diving free in the pools. | | | | because they book using group discounts. Trip |
| | | | prices vary but Weaver's Dive & Travel in |
| At Island Divers Hawaii, $139 will get | | | | Colorado offers a five day excursion |
| beginners transportation to and from Wakiki | | | | (including airfare, hotel, meals and boat |
| and Honolulu, use of scuba gear, a pool | | | | fees) in La Paz, Mexico for $1299. |
| session, boat dives on two separate Oahu | | | | |
| reefs and $100 off a certification course. | | | | If you have an interest in scuba diving at |
| For those looking to turn their hobby into a | | | | all, the dive shop should certainly be your |
| lifelong passion, $200 - $450 will give you a | | | | first point of reference. You can start at |
| Professional Association of Diving | | | | the level you're most comfortable with, meet |
| Instructors certification. | | | | people who will keep you involved and maybe |
| | | | even become a divemaster with your own scuba |
| After 60 logged dives and a $480 course, an | | | | club! |
| advanced diver may go on to become a | | | | |