Scuba Diving: Certification Diving Schools and Diving Clubs
Author: John Published Under: Sports
Scuba Diving is very popular today and is beginning to become more of a sport than an occupation, with millions of people all over the world discovering the wonders hidden by the ocean. Diving itself is actually fairly safe, but it is important to receive adequate training from a certified diving instructor and always work with a dive buddy.
Virtually anyone can become a diver, but there are some health concerns that should be considered. People with asthma, for example, should speak with a doctor first, to find out if they can safely scuba dive. It can also be rather strenuous, especially transferring from the water back to the boat, so being in generally good shape is recommended.
The First Step to Becoming a Scuba Diver
Since no quality diving center or charter boat will let you use their service without some form of a certification, it is important to first find a place that can teach you how to dive and help you get certified. There are many dive schools available, which charge you a fee to use their service. They will often provide you with all of the necessary equipment, so that you simply have to show up to class.
Another option is to find a diving club, which is made up by a group of people who enjoy diving. Diving clubs are usually non-profit and are ran by people who enjoy diving and teaching others. Diving schools can be a great choice, as they are an excellent way to meet fellow divers, who can later become dive buddies on trips, and there are many very qualified divers who volunteer their time to dive clubs.
However, one drawback of the dive club is that it can sometimes take a little longer to get certified. This is because most clubs offering training on only one day a week, which can easily cause scheduling problems. Diving schools, on the other hand, can be much more flexible when it comes to scheduling.
How Much Does Scuba Diving Cost
Diving can be a very big investment and it is possible to spend a great deal of money on quality equipment. It is usually possible to save some money by buying used and most dive centers will also rent out equipment.
The scuba training can also be pretty costly as well, at least if you go with a diving school. As an incentive, many diving schools will offer a free lesson, so you can make sure you will enjoy diving, before committing to the full charge. Another option is to join a diving club, which can make the training a great deal less expensive, but is not as flexible.