Getting Started
Have you ever been mesmerized by what you see on Blue Planet? Wondered how it feels like to be weightless but don’t have the access money to travel to the moon? Feels like it’s time to spice up that 9-5 office hour life, smell the ocean breeze and let loose the mounting stress?
But you don’t quite know where to begin. What is Open Water diver? What is this DCI that my diver friends talked about? Is scuba diving difficult? Don’t worry, because we are divers too. We have the answer to some commonly asked questions about diving for the first time. If you have more questions to ask, feel free to drop us an email or give us a call!
Is it hard to scuba dive?
No, in fact, it’s probably easier than you imagine — especially if you’re already comfortable in the water. PADI’s entry-level diver course is split into knowledge development, confined water (pool) skill training and four scuba training dives. The course is “performance based,” which means that you progress as you learn and demonstrate knowledge and skill.
| Knowledge Development | Confined Water | Training Dives |
| Broken up into 5 modules, the Knowledge Development segment will guide you through the basic principals required for a understanding of the fundamentals of pressure and how it will effect you in the water and what is install for you in your Confined and Open Water Dives. | 5 exciting modules that will give you hands on experience with the basics we have talked about in the classroom, the confined water experience will allow you to ‘play’ as we learn in the pool. With your instructor and dive team eagerly waiting to assist you in your learning journey, the pool session promises to be a day of new discovery and absolute fun. | When we go diving to an island, some of the skills will be assessed to refresh your memory and add to your comfort in the water. We will be doing 4 training dives to get certified and since we are there, we will want to go diving by throwing in a few more dives to gain some experience just diving! |
What equiment will I need when I go Scuba Diving?
As in all other adventure sports, the basic equipments are required. These will include and are not limited to a set of Dive Mask, Snorkel and a pair of Fins. Although we include these items in your dive package when you are on a dive course, as part of our value added service to you, we also highly recomend that you pick up a set of basic gear that meets your budget and your needs. Our Instructors and Divemasters will be more than hapy to share their experience with you with regards to the gear that they use and have had experience with. Just ask and we’ll point out in the right direction.
Do I have to be a great swimmer to be certified as a PADI Open Water Diver?
No. All you need to be is a reasonably proficient swimmer who is comfortable and relaxed in the water. The swimming requirement for certification is an easy 200 meter nonstop swim (with no time or specific stroke requirement) and 10 minute tread/float.
How long does a tank of air last?
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This is a common question that, unfortunately, doesn’t have a single answer. People breathe at different rates, and you breathe faster when you’re swimming than when you’re resting. Also, the deeper you go, the more you use your air, and, you can get different size tanks. So, the answer is “it depends”; this is why divers have a gauge that tell them how much air they have at all times. As an approximation, a diver sightseeing in calm, warm water at 6 to 9 meters deep can expect the average tank to last about an hour. |
My ears hurt when I dive to the bottom of a pool. Won’t they hurt when I scuba dive?
Your ears hurt because water pressure pushes in on your ear drum. In your scuba course, you’ll learn a simple technique to equalize your ears to the surrounding pressure, much like you do when you land in an airplane, and they won’t hurt at all.
Is scuba diving dangerous?
Not really. Statistics show that recreational scuba diving is about as safe as swimming. Certainly there are some hazards — which is why you need training and certification — but like driving a car, as long as you follow the rules and use common sense, it’s pretty safe.
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