Get Started in Scuba Diving
Scuba Diver enters the water by giant stride entry.
Every day, people think about learning how to dive, but most beginners know little or nothing at all about the sport. They go online to search and can quickly become overwhelmed by all of the information that is floating out there. Between seeing bitter arguments on forums, watching a variety of YouTube videos, and searching for sources on social media, most quickly abandon online research and call up the closest dive shop to them. This can lead to either a good or bad experience for the potential diver, all depending on how the shop and the staff conduct themselves. In this post, we'll help give you the best ways to make your experience a positive one that will help you enjoy Scuba.
First thing first, is scuba diving right for you? If you have never spent any time in the water or have some fear of wildlife (aka sharks), then you probably don't want to blindly jump right in and pay your hard-earned money for an Open Water Course. Instead, ask a local dive shop for their agency's medical questionnaire and review it with your physician to determine if you are physically fit and able to dive. By doing this, you are being proactive. Your doctor, who knows your medical history, should be able to help you determine if it is an activity you could try. If they clear you for water activities but you have little or no water comfort, sign up for swim lessons from a professional instructor. I can't tell you how many students I've encountered who are not comfortable in the water and think just because they have a BCD and a tank of air on their back that they will be fine. Comfort in the water is the foundational building block.
Learning the Fundamentals
“It's best to do it right the first time.”
So your physician gives you the go-ahead, and you're a competent swimmer. What's next? Now you have a couple of options. You can either look to enroll in an Open Water Course or a Discover Scuba program (different agencies have different names for these). For me personally, I recommend going straight to the Open Water Course. The reason is that a 'Discover Scuba' course is just as it sounds. It's a small glimpse into what diving will entail. However, you're not going to get the full instruction that you would receive in an Open Water Course, and bad habits are tougher to break further down the road. In a Discover course, you're not given the full course material that you are in the Open Water class, meaning they don't teach you about the basic rules of physics and gas laws. You won't have material on what the different pieces of gear are and how they function together. You won't be taught trim and buoyancy at a proficient level. All of this combined could cause you to develop some bad habits that will need to be corrected later down the line. It's best to do it right the first time.
Okay, you're ready to sign up for your Open Water Course, but how to pick the right shop to take it through? You may think, 'Well, I've heard of PADI, and everyone says they are the best. I need to find a PADI shop/instructor.' PADI is the biggest brand out there (for now), and they have been the best at marketing, but going with a PADI shop doesn't mean you're going to get the best training or even have a positive experience. There are good and bad shops/instructors in every agency. The trick is finding a good one who is a GREAT fit for you and your learning style. How do you find them? Simply, interview them. You can visit/call a shop and instructors to ask them questions about their teaching styles, explain how you learn best, and decide if they are the right fit for you. Just make sure that they are recognized by the World Recreational Scuba Training Council so that your certification is accepted worldwide. It's your money, and it's your safety you're entrusting to them.
That being said, your options are to participate in a group class at a shop or hire a private instructor to teach only you. Going with a group class will most likely be a cheaper option, but taking a private course with just you and an instructor may just make you a better/safer diver. In a group class, there are usually 4-12 students, meaning you get 1/4 or 1/12 of that instructor's time, and if there are other students who require remedial learning, then you'll get even less than that, which could be detrimental to your overall development. With a private instructor, it's just the two of you. You'll be the only one they are focused on. They'll be solely dedicated to teaching you the academics and the skills. This, in my opinion, leads to better and safer divers. Think of it this way: if a child is in a classroom full of about 30 students, will they learn better than being one on one with a great teacher?
Assembled scuba gear stationed on a dive boat.
Now we move onto the course itself and what the shop includes in the cost. Don't be fooled by ads that say 'Learn Scuba or Open Water Course for only $99.' These are the equivalent of auto dealerships listing their online price but then adding all of their markups when it's time to sign. At the time of writing this article, a general group Open Water Course is probably going to run you between $500-$700 (depending on your region). You also need to ask them what all that includes and, more importantly, if there will be any additional costs. Some shops will include certain pieces of rental gear in that price model, while others won't include anything. Most divers are required to purchase masks, fins, a snorkel, and booties (rightfully so). You don't want to rent a mask that someone else has sneezed or spat into, and the same goes for the snorkel. I'd consider buying the wetsuit as well. I don't think I need to tell you what everyone eventually does in the water.
Follow these basic guidelines, and your chances for a positive experience in the underwater world will most likely be better and lead to more exciting adventures.
Always Remember: Plan Your Dive, Dive Your Plan
