Going Scuba Diving? Here Is What You Need To Know About Getting Scuba Certified

Scuba diving has a great many health benefits. Including gaining strength and flexibility as you move underwater. It can maintain and increase fitness levels. And allows you to explore stunningly colourful marine life on your dives. Proven to promote feelings of happiness, and reduce stress.

Becoming a certified diver is all about safety. Your certification is proof that you’ve been trained by an experienced instructor to set up diving equipment properly. And you’ve learned skills in numerous diving situations and safety procedures.

Going scuba diving? Here is what you need to know about getting scuba certified…

Requirements, Levels, and Costs

Requirements

Scuba diving certification requirements allow anyone over the age of 15 to be able to qualify. And Junior Open Water courses may be available for children as young as 10. You must be in good health. Without any major health concerns that would prevent you from being able to dive safely. If you’re in any doubt consult your doctor beforehand.

Levels

Types of scuba certification offered may differ between scuba certification agencies. Recreational scuba diving doesn’t actually have a regulatory agency. But several large organisations and diving schools offer certificates. The adult diver certification levels may include:

• Open Water and Advanced Open Water Diver
• Rescue Diver and Divemaster
• Scuba Diver and Master Scuba Diver
• Adventure Diver
• Adaptive Support Diver
• Assistant Instructor
• Night Diver and Deep Diver
• Ocean Diver and Ice diving
• Sports Diver and Dive Leader

Costs

Your scuba diving certification cost will depend on the course you take. See a brief guide below for Diver Explorer Foundation options:

• DEF Open Water – from £341
• DEF Advanced Open Water – from £341
• DEF Scuba Explorer – from £964

Your scuba certification cost with the Professional Association of Diving Instructors will be:

• PADI Discover Scuba Diving – £143.60
• PADI Scuba Diving up to 12m – £280.36
• PADI Open Water – £379.14
• PADI Open Water Referral – £280.36
• PADI Advanced Open Water – £356.34
• PADI Dive Master – £1518.82

How long does scuba certification last? Your certification doesn’t have an expiry date. Remember if you don’t do any scuba activity for a long time it’s a good idea to refresh your skills by signing up for a refresher course. This will only take a couple of hours. And makes sure you get reminded of all the basic knowledge to ensure you have a safe dive.

Time Scales

It doesn’t have to take long to get your scuba certification. A complete PADI Open Water diver course, for example, can be undertaken in three to four days. If you’re taking the course at your local dive centre this could take several weeks depending on the class schedules.

You’ll be given options on how to do the theoretical part of your certification. You can choose classroom sessions with support manuals and videos. Or E-learning where you’ll do the theory online. This has the advantage of fitting into your lifestyle and at your own pace. Saving you time when you get to your holiday destination.

Once you’ve passed the exams, you’ll take part in confined water diving in the pool. These first two phases can be done in a weekend. Then to complete the course it’ll take you another two days to do your open water diving. With a morning and afternoon dive on each of the days.

Then you can simply take your time and qualify for additional certifications as you work your way through the ranks.

Diving Qualifications

Get your scuba certification in Playa del Carmen with Koox Diving. You’ll be offered an entire range of dive courses. And training programmes. Your scuba diving journey provided by experienced dive masters will ensure you learn the skills needed. The required theory and practice will be given for you to achieve your award safely. And enable you to enjoy many hours of scuba diving!