- How old do I need to be to
become a certified scuba diver?
The minimum age to become a certified junior open water
diver is 10yrs old.
At age 15, the Junior
certification then upgrades to a regular Open Water Diver
certification.
- Do I have to be a strong
swimmer to learn scuba diving?
No. All you need to be is a
reasonably proficient swimmer who is comfortable and relaxed in
the water. The swimming requirements for certification are a 200
metre swim (with no time or specific stroke requirement) and
tread water/float for 10 minutes.
- How long does it take to
get certified?
PADI and SSI courses are
"performance based," which means that you only earn your scuba
certification when you demonstrate that you have mastered the
required skills and knowledge. Some people learn faster than
others, so how long it takes you may vary.
On average, students complete their open water diver course
(beginner course) in just 3 days. Day 1 in the classroom and
swimming pool, followed by 4 dives over days 2 and 3.
- What am I going to see?
Everything from tiny macro life such as nudibranchs,
ghostpipe fish, seahorses and clown fish to sea snakes, moray
eels, barracuda, lionfish, scorpion fish, cuttlefish and
stingrays. The larger marine here are hawksbill turtles,
blacktip reef sharks, leopard sharks, octopi and even the giant
whale shark visits us from time to time. Soft and hard corals
are abundant here too with plenty of swim-throughs and caverns
to explore. In addition we also have wreck diving on The King
Cruiser ferry and the latest of finds a WWII Japanese submarine.
- Scuba diving sounds
exciting, but I'm not sure if it's for me. Can I try it without
signing up for a course?
Yes. The PADI Discover Scuba Diving or SSI Resort Diver
program is a 1 day program aimed at the absolute beginner. You
will learn 3 basic skills with an instructor and complete 2
dives to a maximum depth of 12 metres. However, you will
not receive a certification for completing this program but it
does offer you a great way to get a feel for diving.
- How do I replace my card if
it is lost or stolen?
The best way is to inform your
instructor, they can take care of it for you. Any PADI or SSI
instructor can help you. Most instructors charge between
€15
and €20
to replace your card. You may need another passport sized
picture. Alternatively contact PADI or SSI direct at the
following links.
Contact PADI
Contact SSI If you simply forgot your C-Card
while on holiday, both SSI and PADI have a member check on-line.
- What is Nitrox?
The underlying principle behind
nitrox diving is relatively simple. The longer and
deeper a diver is underwater, the more nitrogen enters his
system. Too much nitrogen in his system can lead to a slew of
debilitating illnesses. To combat this, a diver must ascend
slowly, make decompression stops, and adhere to the recommended
surface interval before the next dive. For the recreational or
sport
nitrox diver, however, the plan is a little
different. Since his "enriched" air has more oxygen and less
nitrogen, his body will absorb less nitrogen than the diver that
uses a regular scuba tank. As a result, the
nitrox diver may spend more time underwater, less
time on decompression stops and surface intervals, and in some
cases, may not need to make them at all. Some divers also report
a benefit of being less tired after
nitrox diving than after a regular dive.
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