Scuba Diving 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Getting Started in Scuba Diving
For many, learning to scuba dive is the ultimate bucket list item. From diving with manta rays in Hawaii to spotting hammerheads in the Red Sea, scuba diving opens up a whole new world for you to explore. Not to mention all the surprises waiting to be found in your own backyard.
If you’re ready to join almost three million dive fanatics and learn scuba diving, here’s our guide to getting started including the basic requirements, which course to choose, and what skills you’ll learn.
What Do I Need to Start Scuba Diving?
The good news is, almost anyone can learn scuba diving. While age requirements can vary, as a general rule, children as young as 8 years old can start diving in controlled conditions. You can usually get certified in the United States from the age of 10.
Before you start, you’ll need to complete a medical questionnaire to ensure you’re physically fit enough to dive. In particular, a scuba diving school will look out for lung problems (including asthma or a collapsed lung), ear issues, and allergies. Some medications are also contraindicated for diving.
Lastly, you need to know how to swim. We’re not talking Micheal Phelps level but you should be able to do a 200-yard freestyle swim or a 300-yard snorkel swim with mask, fins, and booties on. You’ll also need to conquer a 10-minute water tread test in water that’s too deep to stand up in.
Choose a Scuba Diving Course
If it’s your first time learning, you’ll want to start with an Open Water Diver Certification. This will give you the skills to dive with a partner without supervision and the ability to book excursions with dive boats and resorts.
If you’re already certified, there are several specialty diving courses you can choose from night diving to deep diving. You can choose an Advanced Open Water Diver course to gain more scuba diving experience and learn multiple skills all in one course.
Support your local dive community by picking a dive shop close to home to learn scuba diving. Not only will you get to meet other divers in your area but you’ll have a steady support base to continue your development.
Learn Essential Skills
When you start off, scuba diving school is very much like a regular school. To be safe while underwater, you’ll begin with learning out of the water. Theory lessons come first when you will learn the basics of diving, important safety details, and how to use the equipment.
Once you’ve mastered the essentials, you’ll take your first breaths underwater either in a pool or somewhere shallow so you can just focus on practicing your skills. Next step: you’ll get to do four dives in an open water environment with your dive instructor supporting you.
Stop Waiting and Get Scuba Diving
Now that you know the steps to learn scuba diving and get certified, it’s time to put your plan into action. Many people put off their scuba diving lessons waiting for the right moment but you’re really just missing out on experiencing the new and exciting world that awaits you underwater. Get in touch with Scuba Guru today and we’ll help you with the next steps in your scuba diving adventure.
