Scuba Diving Certifications FAQs: 25 Top Questions Asked By New Divers

In this article, I will answer the most frequently asked questions non-divers ask when it comes to getting a recreational scuba diving certification.

Every once in a while I get people sending me messages to ask about scuba diving and getting certified. I love responding to these questions because it’s a great way to encourage them to go diving.

As someone who grew up in a family with scuba divers, the idea of breathing underwater was an exciting concept to me. Getting in the water and completing my scuba diving certification was an easy process. I have been swimming since I was a young child so getting into the water was never an issue.

When I tell people I scuba dive, I often get a mixed reaction. I can immediately tell that they’re impressed and curious. But I will also sense fear.

“But what about the sharks?!” They’ll almost immediately ask.

This always amuses me as most divers I know will be the first to jump into the water just to see a shark. If only they knew how lucky they’d be to actually see one while scuba diving!

I assure them that the sharks and the ocean are not something to be afraid of. I try my best to convince them how amazing it is to scuba dive and that they should try it. But of course, most will still be scared to even try.

I soon came to the conclusion that I am probably an exemption. To love the ocean and to eagerly get in the water is a rarity especially where I come from. Despite living in an archipelagic country with 7641 islands, majority of Filipinos, as I have observed, are still afraid of the ocean.

The Philippines is just a tiny part of the world and I can imagine that many other people also fear the ocean. The unknown.

Did you know that only 5% of the earth’s water has been explored by humans? That’s a lot of water we haven’t explored!

In 2018, it is estimated that there are only 6 million divers worldwide. That’s less than 1% of our 7.7 billion world population. A very low number if you ask me.

Scuba divers are such great ocean advocates and influencers. And with the horrible state of our ocean’s health, we definitely need more ocean lovers protecting our seas.

Best diving quotes that will inspire you to scuba dive and love the ocean

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I think that fear and lack of awareness has stopped people from getting certified as a scuba diver. Fear of the unknown has robbed them of the joy of diving in our oceans.

So in this post, I will answer some frequently asked questions about scuba diving so you can have a better grasp of it. I hope to give some clarity on concerns that could be stopping you from getting certified as a scuba diver.

So let’s dive in…

There are many scuba diving courses that you can take that will teach you to dive safely and properly in different underwater conditions and environments.

If you want to become a recreational scuba diver, you will want to get your Open Water Certification first.

Each dive agency has their own methods of teaching and scuba diving course curriculum. While they might call their programs or certification levels differently, they all follow international standards for dive training.

Here are some of dive agencies that you might already be familiar with and might want to check out to if you are interested in taking scuba classes:

PADI- Professional Association of Diving Instructors

SSI- Scuba Schools International

SDI- Scuba Diving International

NAUI- National Association of Underwater Instructors

RAID- Rebreather Association of International Divers

GUE- Global Underwater Explorers

BSAC- British Sub-Aqua Club

CMAS- Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques

Scuba diving is incredibly popular so you will be able to find good diving centers anywhere in the world. A quick Google search will tell you where you can get your scuba diving certification near you. You can also visit the website of each dive agency I mentioned above and they should be able to let you know the dive centers in your local area.

Touristic destinations will also have plenty of options when it comes to scuba diving for beginners. Many people love learning how to scuba dive in their next holiday vacation. So this is something that you could consider doing. If you go to the most popular dive destinations all over the world, you are most likely to find a PADI dive shop.

Don’t forget to do your due diligence and research before choosing where and with whom to do your scuba diving lessons.

Dive agencies offer this option so you can try scuba diving for the first time. A dive professional will supervise and guide you all throughout your Discover Scuba Diving or Try Scuba session. This short introductory to scuba diving course will allow you to explore the underwater world using scuba diving equipment.

Discover Scuba or Try Scuba Diving is a good way to experience what it feels like to breathe underwater without having to pay the certification fees. If you’re hesitant to get your open water scuba diving certification, this trial session is always a good idea.

Here are some programs you can check out if you want to experience scuba diving without getting certified: PADI Discover Scuba Diving | SSI Try Scuba | SDI Scuba Discovery Program | NAUI Try Scuba

While PADI might be the most popular and most widespread training agency all over the world, their style might not necessarily be the best for you. For all you know, PADI scuba diving courses might not even be available in your region or your language. So these are the things you might want to consider.

Many divers also advise that rather than choosing any dive agency, find a great scuba diving instructor who will guide and mentor you into becoming the best scuba diver that you can be.

A lot of students quit their scuba diving lessons not because of the agency but because of instructors. So find one who is compatible with your learning style and personality.

Check out this interesting video by Divers Ready on what to ask your potential dive instructor before you do your scuba diving certification.

Remember that you are hiring dive instructors to teach you how to scuba dive properly and safely. So at least do a brief interview with them before handing over your money to them.

While scuba diving certifications have no expiration date, reputable dive centers make it a practice to ask you about your dive certification, number of logged dives, and dive history. This is one of the reasons why you should log your dives once you are certified!

If you haven’t gone diving for 6 months, they might ask you to do check-out dive first to assess where you are with your diving. Some divers might even be required to do a refresher course. This will help you review any skills you may have forgotten.

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There are many scuba diving benefits you can enjoy once you are certified.

Being able to dive in different environments is one of them. Some divers get to dive in tropical (warm) waters while others prefer temperate (cold) waters. You can go diving in the oceans, rivers, lakes, quarries or any body of water that you can find. For as long as it’s safe, of course!

There are also many types of scuba diving activities you can try once you get certified.

You can enjoy the beauty of complex coral reef systems and encounter wonderful marine animals. You can also explore caves, wrecks, and even man-made structures underwater once you have your scuba diving certification.

Many divers also enjoy doing underwater photography and videography. Others will get more certifications that will allow them to dive deeper and stay longer underwater.

Some love diving so much that they make careers out of it. They take on jobs and become dive guides, dive instructors, scientific divers, commercial divers.

There are plenty of things you can do once you have your scuba diving certification or certifications.

Still on the fence about scuba diving? Why don’t you check out my post on why scuba diving is the best hobby to pursue after your lockdown!

Open Water Certification

If you are a certified open water diver, dive shops or dive centers will allow you to rent dive equipment, obtain air fills, go on boat dives with them and take additional dive courses with them.

Open Water Certification trains you to dive confidently and safely up to 18 meters (60 feet). As an open water diver, you may dive with a buddy of the same certification or higher without a dive professional’s supervision.

While some people will be content in just being an Open Water Certified diver, you might want to receive other scuba diving certifications so you can become a better scuba diver.

Advanced Open Water Certification

Advanced Open Water Certification is the next level or next course you might want to take after receiving your Open Water Course. This course will train you to dive up to 30-40 meters depending on the agency you use. This is something you might want to take since many of the best dive sites and dive experiences will require you to dive past 18 meters.

During your Advanced Open Water Certification, you will learn more skills that will help you become a more confident scuba diver.

Rescue Diving Certification

The Rescue Diving Certification can be done by Advanced Open Water Certified Divers. This course teaches you to prevent and manage problems in the water. It will teach you what to do during emergency situations.

If you plan to have a career in diving, a rescue diving certification is one of the requirements to becoming a dive professional.

I am currently a PADI Rescue Diver. The PADI Rescue Diving Course is a scuba diving certification I highly recommend divers get especially if you scuba dive for fun.

Specialty Diving Certification

Aside from the three scuba diving certifications mentioned previously, dive agencies might also offer specialty courses for recreational dives.

These scuba diving lessons are focused on specific areas of diving that scuba divers might be passionate about. Examples of these specialty dive courses are wreck diving, underwater photography, underwater naturalist, underwater navigation.

These specialty diver certifications encourage recreational divers to expand their knowledge and skills in relation to the underwater world.

To give you an idea of what additional scuba diving certification you can take, here is a list of distinctive specialty courses for divers who love marine life.

Scuba Diving Certification Levels for Dive Agencies

Each dive agency is structured differently and may call their certifications using a different name. They will also have different requirements to complete the scuba diving certification. It is always best to check with the agency the details and requirements of each scuba diving class you are taking.

Once you are certified, dive centers will recognize your certifications even if it’s from another agency. For instance, if you are PADI certified open water diver, dive shops under SSI will still accept and recognize your certification.

For more details on the scuba diving courses and the requirements for each agency, you can check some of the courses links below:

Scuba Diving Agency	Open Water Diver (18 Meters)	Advanced Open Water Diver (30-40 Meters)	Rescue Diver ((30-40 Meters)	Other Specialty Courses
PADI	Open Water Diver	Advanced Open Water Diver	Rescue Diver	PADI Specialty Courses
SDI	Open Water Scuba Diver	Advanced Adventure Diver	Rescue Diver	SDI Specialty Courses
SSI	Open Water Diver	Advanced Adventurer	Diver Stress and Rescue	SSI Advanced Scuba Training
NAUI	Scuba Diver	Advanced Scuba Diver	Scuba Rescue	NAUI Specialty Course

While 10 is the minimum age for certification for many dive agencies. Many younger children have tried scuba diving at a younger age.

PADI’s Bubblemaker Program allows children as young as 8 years of age to try scuba diving in a pool with a maximum depth of 2 meters (2 feet). A dive pro, like a PADI Instructor or PADI Divemaster, will accompany your child so you can be assured that they are in good hands.

You can also check out SSI Scuba Rangers and SDI Future Buddies for similar diving programs for kids. These program encourages children to try scuba diving at an early age. It may even inspire them to pursue a career in marine sciences or ocean conservation some day!

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You can also check out Divers Alert Network an association which assists divers when it comes to dive emergency and safety. Their website is loaded with articles pertaining to Diving and Medical Frequently Asked Questions.

When you start diving in open water, you will want to know how to swim for your safety and survival. You don’t have to be an Olympic swimmer but you should be comfortable in the water.

It is normal to be afraid of sharks especially when you grew up watching movies like Jaws! But they’re highly misunderstood animals and have been depicted by Hollywood as evil creatures lurking in the dark and out to get you. When really they’re not.

While they are apex predators, humans are not part of their regular diet. It’s very rare that sharks attack scuba divers and if they do it mostly by accident. Most often, when you encounter sharks underwater, they will even avoid you altogether and swim away.

If you’re really scared of them, before diving in a new location, you can always ask about the possibilities of encountering sharks and avoid those places altogether.

Remember, you can always say no to dives you are not comfortable doing.

And in the rare case that you do come face to face with them, just stay calm. Don’t make any sudden movements. Maintain eye contact with the shark. If it’s within your dive limits, move closer to the reef or ocean floor where they’re less likely to attack.

Will sharks attack you if you are diving while on your period? Find the answers in my post about scuba diving and menstruation.

Some divers will also use masks with prescription glasses. If you intend to scuba dive frequently buying prescription masks will be a good investment so you don’t have to worry about losing your contact lenses underwater.

For your Open Water Certification, the first portion of your scuba lessons will be knowledge development. This lays the foundation for your understanding of scuba diving. Before you get in the water you need to have a good grasp of the concepts and terms involved in it. You can opt to do this in a classroom with an instructor or an online course where you can do it on your own pace.

After understanding the scuba theories, you proceed to skills development. This is when you actually wear your dive gear and enter the water. Skills development are done in a safe and controlled area like a pool or any body of water with a calm environment.

Once you have your scuba skills on point, you proceed to go diving in open water to put to practice all your knowledge and skills on basic scuba diving.

Scuba diving is both a science and an art. To be a good scuba diver you need to learn and practice both. Taking scuba lesson will help you achieve this.

Some people will find it easy while other might find it hard. It really depends on the person as each person comes from different backgrounds and life experiences. Some will be more comfortable in the water while others might have some issues that could be holding them back.

If you ask every diver how their certification was, they will give varying answers like:

“It was super easy, I loved all of it.”
“I struggled underwater and it took me a while to learn a skill.
“I found it so difficult I almost quit.”

With the right attitude and mindset, you will be able to overcome anything when you are learning how to dive. And once you do, it will be worth it!

The course can be set at your own pace and comfort. Good dive instructors will be willing to take their time with you and will help you go over portions you don’t understand. You should never feel pressured into doing something you are not ready to do. Remember that your safety and comfort is always your priority in scuba.

While you can set your own pace, don’t also take forever to finish the course. Taking too long to complete each portion might make you forget what you’ve learned and will keep setting you back as a diver.

You don’t need to worry about buying all these scuba gear right away. Most dive centers will be able to rent out gear for you to use in your open water course. Some dive centers will include gear rental as part of the fees when you get certified.

Eventually you may opt to buy your own gear or just keep renting depending on your dive frequency and preference.

Want to learn more about the diving gear you need to safely scuba dive? Read my Beginner’s Guide to Scuba Diving Equipment.

Across different dive agencies, some will charge more than others. And even across the world, dive resorts or dive shops will also charge differently.

But to give you an idea, in the Philippines, a PADI Open Water Diver course will cost around Php 18,000- 20,000. (USD360-400). If you do your PADI Open Water Diver course in a country with a higher cost of living, you can expect to pay more than USD400.

Read this post to learn more about the Cost of Scuba Diving: How much money do you need?

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Many scuba diving centers will help you find a dive buddy during your dive trip. They will pair you with someone of the same level and experience as you. Or the dive guide themselves will buddy up with you.

So don’t worry! Get certified first. And, once you know how to dive properly and safely, finding a dive buddy will not even be an issue.

Did you enjoy this article? Don’t forget to PIN this for later or share this post to a friend!

I hope this some how put your mind at ease about scuba diving and helped you on the who, what, where, how and why you should get your scuba diving certification.

Scuba diving is such a rewarding activity. When you finally try it and get certified you will understand why so many people all over the world are obsessed with it!

Do you have other scuba diving certification questions that I was not able to address? Have I convinced you to get scuba certified already? Leave it in the comment section below!