Scuba Diving?
I was going to take a SCUBA diving course over the summer, and i was wondering if it is fun, and if it is something good to do over the summer. Also, is it worth the money, because the course is like £300
Finally, what can i expect on the first lesson, as i dont want to be stuck in a room all day learning about the equipment, on the first lesson, will i get to go in the pool with all the gear on?
There are many different ways to get certified. You can do a 2 or 3 day intensive course and be done with it, or you can stretch it out . A lot of places offer private lessons too, so you can learn on your own schedule. Talk to your local dive center or dive resort and they will explain their courses and schedule. You can look up dive centers/resorts on the websites for any of the major certifying agencies.
I’m PADI certified and my class met for a couple hours at the shop on Tuesday evenings to go over our assigned reading material and take the required quiz; and Thursday evenings at the pool for hands-on learning. It was a 4 week course. Then there are the 4 required "check-out" dives in open water that follow completion of the class/pool dives.
I think its total BS to say that the certifying agencies only want your money. In any class I’ve taken there have been plenty of instructors/dive masters around to give you individual attention when you need it. These guys all have day jobs, they’re not making their living off of you. Think about it – all divers are certified through an agency, including the instructors who will someday be your diving buddies. It is absolutely their #1 goal to make sure you are comfortable and knowledgable about what you’re doing in the water.
Sure you can spend $3000 on equipment but you definitely don’t have to. Most courses require you to have your own mask and snorkel (because of fit) and they provide the rest. Once you are certified you can rent all the equipment you need when you need it. The shop here will totally outfit you for an entire weekend for $50.
I really want to learn myself.
I have a few friends in the class. It’s a combo of actual diving and theory. Most of the theory is self-instructtion.
There are 2 main courses: PADI and NAUI. I have heard good things about both.
Althought you want to get in the pool, make sure you take the time to get educated to. The education is designed to save your life so you understand the science behind what happens to your body underwater.
Good luck!
References :
Scuba diving is my love… I wish I had gotten certified years and years ago. I think of all the dives I’ve missed and it saddens me. Now I dive as much as I can… and that is nowhere near enough.
The second part of your question concerns me a little. Classroom work is part of diving. You HAVE to learn about equipment… not to mention decompression illness, narcosis… and the plethora of other things that are involved with diving. Depending on the instructor… you may do half classroom then half pool work.
Despite what anyone says… scuba diving is dangerous and you CAN die. It’s that simple. The more uneducated you are the more likely that will happen.
Unfortunately, the main certifying agencies (you know their letters, I will not list them here) are more interested in your money than your safety. It’s sad… and I’m sure an instructor or 27 will disagree with that, but it’s true. They want you certified so you then start spending more money on other classes and equipment.
I’m not trying to scare you off or anything, but just be aware of the risks involved and get a GOOD instructor. If possible, find an instructor who is also a technical diving instructor… odds are they will be among the best teachers. Do the research, ask the questions… it’s your life underwater, be prepared to protect it.
I was surprised to find out how unprepared I was on my fist dive trip. Other than buoyancy issues… nothing really went wrong. If something bad had gone wrong (equipment failure, etc etc etc) I was not prepared to deal with it.
As far as cost is concerned… diving is expensive. The cost of the course is just a drop in the bucket. Regulators, BCDs, dive compuetr (should you choose to use one, most people do these days), wetsuits… and on and on.
To give you an idea… I have dropped $3000+ on RECREATIONAL dive equipment. I have everything I need… minus the tanks (I have tanks but that is for technical diving). I wont even tell you how much I’ve spent and continue to spend on technical gear.
Just be prepared and know what you’re getting into. And I’m not complaining about the money I’ve spent. It’s worth every penny, when you descend and see the world that’s down there… or watch as that wreck slowly materializes out of the blue.
Good luck and be smart.
References :
There are many different ways to get certified. You can do a 2 or 3 day intensive course and be done with it, or you can stretch it out . A lot of places offer private lessons too, so you can learn on your own schedule. Talk to your local dive center or dive resort and they will explain their courses and schedule. You can look up dive centers/resorts on the websites for any of the major certifying agencies.
I’m PADI certified and my class met for a couple hours at the shop on Tuesday evenings to go over our assigned reading material and take the required quiz; and Thursday evenings at the pool for hands-on learning. It was a 4 week course. Then there are the 4 required "check-out" dives in open water that follow completion of the class/pool dives.
I think its total BS to say that the certifying agencies only want your money. In any class I’ve taken there have been plenty of instructors/dive masters around to give you individual attention when you need it. These guys all have day jobs, they’re not making their living off of you. Think about it – all divers are certified through an agency, including the instructors who will someday be your diving buddies. It is absolutely their #1 goal to make sure you are comfortable and knowledgable about what you’re doing in the water.
Sure you can spend $3000 on equipment but you definitely don’t have to. Most courses require you to have your own mask and snorkel (because of fit) and they provide the rest. Once you are certified you can rent all the equipment you need when you need it. The shop here will totally outfit you for an entire weekend for $50.
References :
http://www.padi.com