How do I learn to scuba dive?

Becoming a scuba diver is a wonderful adventure! Scuba certification includes three phases:

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1. Knowledge Development

During the first phase of your scuba lessons, you'll learn the basic principles of scuba diving such as:

• What to consider when planning dives.

• How to choose the right scuba gear for you.

• Underwater signals and other diving procedures.

You'll learn this valuable information by using the PADI Open Water Diver eLearning. At the end of each chapter, you'll answer questions about the material to ensure you understand it. Along the way, let your PADI Instructor know if there is anything you don't understand. At the end of the course, you’ll take a final exam that ensures you have thorough knowledge of scuba diving basics.

 

You'll also watch videos that preview the scuba skills you'll practice in a swimming pool or pool-like environment. In addition to the video, your instructor will demonstrate each skill for you.

 

2. Confined Water Dives

This is what it’s all about – diving. You'll develop basic scuba skills in a pool or in confined water – a body of water with pool-like conditions, such as off a calm beach. The basic scuba skills you learn during your certification course will help you become familiar with your scuba gear and become an underwater explorer. Some of the essential skills you learn include:

• Setting up your scuba gear.

• How to get water out of your mask.

• Entering and exiting the water.

• Buoyancy control.

• Basic underwater navigation.

• Safety procedures.

You'll practice these skills with an instructor until you're comfortable. When you're ready, it's time for your underwater adventure to begin at an open water dive site.

 

3. Open Water Dives

After your confined water dives, you'll head to open water, where you and your instructor will make four dives, usually over two days. On these dives you'll get to explore the underwater world. You'll apply the skills you learned in confined water while enjoying the beauty of the underwater world.

 

 

How long does it take to get certified?

The PADI Open Water Diver course is flexible and performance based, and we can offer a wide variety of schedules, organized according to how fast you progress. It’s possible to complete your confined and open water dives in three or four days after the completion of the knowledge development portion via PADI eLearning.

 

Your PADI Instructor will focus on helping you become a confident and comfortable diver, not on how long it takes. You earn your certification based on demonstrating you know what you need to know and can do what you need to do. This means that you progress at your own pace – faster or slower depending upon the time you need – to become a competent scuba diver.

 

 

How much does the PADI Open Water Diver Course cost?

Learning to scuba dive is a great value when you consider that you learn to dive under the guidance and attention of a highly trained, experienced professional – your PADI Instructor. What’s more, you receive a certification to scuba dive at the end of a PADI Open Water Diver course (few other activities can offer that).

 

There are 3 cost components:

• Theory

• Pool

• Open Water Dives

 

The price for the pool and open water portion depend on the number of students in the class. For the open water portion, the location will affect costing as well. Full details can be found at: https://www.thesubmersibles.com/padi-open-water-diver-course/price

 

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Are the course materials included in the price?

Yes, course materials as well as the PADI Open Water Diver certification fee is included when you signed up and pay for PADI eLearning.

 

 

What are the requirements for learning to scuba dive?

If you have a passion for excitement and adventure, chances are you can become an avid PADI Diver. You'll also want to keep in mind these requirements:

• The minimum age is 10 years old (in most areas). Student divers who are younger than 15 earn the PADI Junior Open Water Diver certification, which they may upgrade to PADI Open Water Diver certification upon reaching 15. Children under the age of 13 require parent or guardian permission to register for PADI eLearning.

• All student divers complete a brief scuba medical questionnaire that asks about medical conditions that could be a problem while diving. If none of these apply, sign the form and you’re ready to start. If any of these apply to you, your doctor must, as a safety precaution, assess the condition as it relates to diving and sign a medical form that confirms you’re fit to dive. Download the scuba medical questionnaire.

• Before completing the PADI Open Water Diver course, your instructor will have you demonstrate basic water skills to be sure you’re comfortable in the water, including:

  • Swim 200 metres (or 300 metres in mask, fins and snorkel) without stopping. There is no time limit for this, and you may use any swimming strokes you want.

  • Float and/or tread water for 10 minutes, again using any methods you want.

  • Any individual who can meet the performance requirements of the course qualifies for certification.

 

 

Do I have to be a good swimmer to scuba dive?

Some swimming ability is required. You need to have basic swim skills and be able to comfortably maintain yourself in the water. Your PADI Instructor will assess this by having you:

• Swim 200 metres/yards (or 300 metres/yards in mask, fins and snorkel). There is no time limit for this, and you may use any swimming strokes you want.

• Float and tread water for 10 minutes, again using any methods you want.

 

A good suggestion is to try to swim regularly prior to your confined water session to ensure that you are comfortable in water so that you will have an enjoyable time during the course.

 

 

How many student divers will be in the course?

PADI sets a limit of 8 students per class. At The Submersibles, we set the limit of 4 students per class for both our confined and open water portion of the PADI Open Water Diver Course. Private lessons are also available upon request, and you can contact us at courses@thesubmersibles.com for more details.

 

 

Where will open water training dives take place?

As we dive at numerous locations around Asia, your open water training can take place almost anywhere where there is open sea and good marine life! Most of our students choose between Singapore, Bintan and Tioman due to their proximity but feel free to check out our various exotic destinations as well!

 

 

What personal equipment am I required to have?

You only need to bring your own swimming attire and towel for the confined and open water sessions. You do not need to own any scuba equipment as all the scuba gear will be provided for during your course period. And for all sign-ups in 2020, all gear rental for our PADI Open Water Diver Course is free! If you wish to own your own personal, a good place to check out is our webstore.

 

 

What gear will I need to scuba dive?

While we do provide all scuba gear for the course, choosing and using your scuba gear is part of the fun of diving. Each piece of scuba equipment has a different function so that together, it adapts you to the underwater world. When you start learning to scuba dive, the first few gear you'll want your own:

• Mask

• Snorkel

• Fins

These have a personal fit, and you can find them at our webstore.

 

During your PADI Open Water Diver course, you’ll learn to use a regulator, buoyancy control device (BCD), dive computer or dive planner, scuba tank, wetsuit and weight system. Consider investing in all your own scuba equipment when you start your course because:

• You’re more comfortable learning to scuba dive using gear you’ve chosen.

• You’re more comfortable using scuba gear fitted for you.

• Scuba divers who own their scuba diving equipment find it more convenient to go diving.

• Having your own scuba diving gear is part of the fun of diving.

 

 

My ears hurt when I go to the bottom of a swimming pool or when I dive down snorkeling. Will that prevent me from becoming a scuba diver?

No, assuming you have no irregularities in your ears and sinuses. The discomfort is the normal effect of water pressure pressing in on your ear drums. Fortunately, our bodies are designed to adjust for pressure changes in our ears – you just need to learn how. If you have no difficulties adjusting to air pressure during flying, you'll probably experience no problem learning to adjust to water pressure while diving.

 

 

Will a history of ear troubles, diabetes, asthma, allergies or smoking preclude someone from diving?

Not necessarily. Any condition that affects the ears, sinuses, respiratory or heart function, or may alter consciousness is a concern, but only a doctor can assess a person’s individual risk. Doctors can consult with the Divers Alert Network (DAN) as necessary when assessing fitness to dive. Download the medical statement to take to your doctor.

 

 

What are the most common injuries or sicknesses associated with diving?

Sunburn, seasickness and dehydration, all of which are preventable, are the most common problems divers face. Injuries caused by marine life, such as scrapes and stings, do occur, but these can be avoided by wearing an exposure suit, staying off the bottom and watching where you put your hands and feet.

 

 

What about sharks?

When you’re lucky, you get to see a shark. Although incidents with sharks occur, they are very rare and, with respect to diving, primarily involve spear fishing or feeding sharks, both of which trigger feeding behavior. Most of the time, if you see a shark it’s just passing through and a rare sight to enjoy.

 

 

Do women have any special concerns regarding diving?

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.

 

 

How deep do you go?

With the necessary training and experience, the limit for recreational scuba diving is 40 metres. Beginning scuba divers stay shallower than about 18 metres. Although these are the limits, some of the most popular diving is shallower than 12 metres, where the water’s warmer and the colours are brighter.

 

 

What happens if I use up all my air?

Your dive kit includes a gauge that displays how much air you have. You’ll learn to check it regularly, so it’s unlikely you’ll run out of air while scuba diving. However, if you run out of air, your buddy has an extra regulator (mouthpiece) that allows you to share a single air supply while swimming to the surface. There are also other options you’ll learn in your scuba diving training.

 

 

What if I feel claustrophobic?

People find the “weightlessness” of scuba diving to be quite freeing. Modern scuba masks are available in translucent models, which you may prefer if a mask makes you feel closed in. During your scuba diving training, your instructor gives you plenty of time and coaching to become comfortable with each stage of learning. Your scuba instructor works with you at your own pace to ensure you master each skill necessary to become a capable scuba diver who dives regularly.