Question 1

What is SCUBA Diving?

Accepted Answer

Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus or SCUBA is a way to explore the underwater world, very few get to explore. While SCUBA Diving you use specialized gear that allows you to breathe underwater, offering the feeling of freedom, weightlessness, and access to a vibrant underwater world, from coral reefs to ship wrecks.

Question 2

Do I Need To Be An Expert Swimmer?

Accepted Answer

No! Although participants need to be able to swim 200 yards nonstop and tread water for 10 minutes comfortably.

Question 3

How Long Does It Take To Get Certified?

Accepted Answer

Step 1 – E Learning: You’ll spend about 8 to 15 hours on your own to complete the book work online.

Step 2 Pool:  you’ll spend approximately 12 hours in the Pool divided over 3 days with 4 hour sessions.

Step 3 Open Water Dives Finally, you will make 4-6 (depending on which package you sign up for) dives over a Saturday and Sunday with your class and instructor.

So, self-study time plus two weekends with your class and instructor is all it takes to earn your Open Water Diver scuba certification. The exact course schedules are on our Open Water Diver Course page. Private course options are also available upon request.

Question 4

What Is The Minimum Age To Get Open Water Certified?

Accepted Answer

Children as young as 10 years old can get Scuba certified.

Question 5

Does My Certification Expire?

Accepted Answer

Your Open Water Diver certification will never expire!  However, if you go several months or longer without making a dive, we highly recommend a one-night ReActivate program to brush up those rusty scuba skills before your next big adventure. Or, you might consider adding some new skills in the process and opt for the Advanced Open Water Diver course.

Question 6

I Wear Glasses or Contacts, Will I Be Able To See Underwater?

Accepted Answer

Being able to see clearly underwater is important, for avoiding injury, being able to read your dive gauges, and seeing directions from your instructor. If you wear glasses, then we recommend either using contacts (if you can) or having prescription lenses installed in your dive mask before you begin the confined water portion of your training. There are many options for prescription dive masks, and Thin Blue Dive/International Scuba can help you obtain the correct mask and lenses. Allow ample time for lenses to be ordered, cut, and installed in your dive mask. This is not something to leave until the week you start your class.

Question 7

What Do I Need To Bring For My Class?

Accepted Answer

You will need to purchase and bring your Mask, Fins, Boots, and Snorkel from International Scuba. You will also need to bring a towel, swim suit, and water bottle.

Question 8

What Other Extra Costs Are There?

Accepted Answer

In addition to the course tuition price, there are a couple of other costs associated with becoming a diver. Then, once certified as a diver, you will enjoy a lifetime of underwater adventures.

Essential Personal Gear
For fit and comfort, you will need your own diving mask, snorkel, fins, boots, gloves (in colder months), and a mesh gear bag. You will also need a small bottle of mask defog and mask cleaner. By purchasing these items at International Scuba, know that you will be professionally fitted in quality scuba gear. We will also waive the $150 scuba equipment rental. Pricing for your essential personal gear can range from $350 to $600 depending on the gear you select. Most divers spend around $400 for their essential personal gear. Your course tuition includes all of your training with our professional instructors and divemasters. Since we utilize a privately owned scuba park to conduct the open water dives, student divers will need to pay admission and for air fills at the scuba park. Plan on $80 to cover costs at the scuba park.

Question 9

Is Scuba Diving Safe?

Accepted Answer

Scuba diving, like most adventure sports, has risks. Our goal is to teach students how to prevent risks by diving “conservatively”, and teach students how to manage possible emergency situations. We encourage students to always plan ahead and never dive beyond their limits.

Question 10

Where Can I Dive Once I Get Certified?

Accepted Answer

The short answer is you can dive practically anywhere there’s water – from a swimming pool to the ocean and all points in between, including quarries, lakes, rivers, and springs. PADI is a globally recognized organization so you are not restricted to only the USA.

Question 11

My Ears Hurt When I Swim To The Bottom of Pools Or Whenever I Snorkel, Will This Be A Problem?

Accepted Answer

No, assuming you have no irregularities in your ears and sinuses. The discomfort is the normal effect of water pressure pressing in on your ears. Fortunately, our bodies are designed to adjust for pressure changes in our ears – you just need to learn how; which you’ll do during your first confined water dive in the pool.

Question 12

Does A History Of Ear Trouble, Diabetes, Asthma, High Blood Pressure, Or Smoking Keep Me From Being Able To Dive?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily. Any condition that affects the ears, sinuses, respiratory function, and heart function or may alter consciousness is a concern, but only a physician can assess a person’s individual risk. You and your physician(s) can also consult with the Divers Alert Network (DAN) as necessary when assessing fitness to scuba dive. See the Important Medical Information section on the Open Water Diver Course page for more information.

Question 13

What If I Get Claustrophobic?

Accepted Answer

Although wearing a lot of equipment may seem awkward, many people find the “weightlessness” of scuba diving to be quite freeing. Modern dive masks are available in translucent models, which you may prefer if a mask makes you feel closed in.

Question 14

Are There Any Special Concerns For Women Divers?

Accepted Answer

Aside from pregnancy, no.
Because physiologists know little about the effects of diving on the fetus, the recommendation is that women avoid diving while pregnant or trying to become pregnant. Menstruation is not normally a concern.

Frequently asked questions