Your scuba diving certification opens the door to a life filled with adventure. You will train on the basic diving skills until you do it professionally.

We will know together in this article how to get scuba diving certification step by step and by the end, you will get the answers to the most common questions. Let’s start.

Step 1: Choose your learning preferences

There are three options. If you are a shy person and don’t like to be surrounded by strangers while doing something, a private class will be the perfect choice for you.

If you are a social person and find it useful to make new friends and share experiences, you will have a lot of fun in a group or a semi-private class.

Step 2: Choose  the site you want to have your training in

Deciding the site of your training is up to you:

• You can do all your training sessions near your home.
• You can start your training lessons at home and finish them on vacation (open water referral).
• You can learn how to do scuba diving far away from your home.

Step 3: Joining a class.

We can divide the lessons into 2 parts. A small part within it you will be studying on your own.

In the other part, you and your instructor will be working together and this part will be much longer.

 

Step 4: your knowledge development

To get scuba diving certification, you must pass 3 stages:

1. Studying online from your home or classroom learning (your knowledge development).
2. Practicing what you learned theoretically in a pool or a pool-like environment (confined water).
3. Doing open water scuba dives.

You should start your scuba course with the first part (the knowledge development). During this portion of your training course, you will learn scuba diving equipment and will watch many videos talking about diving skills.

If you choose the PADI eLearning, you can pass this part of the training course while sitting at home, all you need is a computer or a smart mobile device.

If you don’t like online learning, some dive centers have (in-person knowledge development) program that provides scheduled classroom sessions in a regular manner. You will receive a book and DVD for studying between classes.

If you are hesitant and can’t choose yet, you shall start your first class from the PADI eLearning course for free and give it a try. If you didn’t benefit from it, ask for classroom route.

Step 5: Practicing diving in confined water

In this part, you will try to practice diving in a pool or pool-like environment. Your instructor will demonstrate to you the basic skills of scuba diving, then he will help you to practice each skill until you do it successfully and master it.

You will learn from these sessions how to put scuba units together many times until it becomes easy for you.

Our PADI scuba diving course in the open water helps new divers master diving by building confidence in their skills.

For example, you will first learn how to clear a small amount of water from your mask. Once you do that easily with a comfortable feeling, you will deal with filling the entire mask with water.

Step 6: Open water scuba diving

Once you succeed in doing basic scuba skills and master them, you will be able to do open water scuba diving. There are several options for open water:

• The ocean
• A lake
• A quarry
• Hot springs

As a beginner, you will dive 12 meters/40 feet at first with a maximum depth of 18 meters/60 feet. This part extends to 2 days, you will make 2 dives every single day and there are some instructions you must follow:

1. The predive safety check will be completed.
2. Train on maintaining yourself on the surface of the water (Buoyancy).
3. The basic diving skills you learned in confined water must be performed many times.
4. It is important to explore your dive site to ensure you can dive on your own.

Your last dive will be as a final exercise. You will create a dive plan with your classmate under the supervision of the diving instructor. This plan includes paying attention to the air pressure and practicing diving safety.

Step 7: Congratulations. Now, you are a certified diver

You will receive the certification in your e-mail. This scuba diving certification is good for life and if you want to refresh your skills at any time, join a scuba refresher program.

Common questions about scuba diving certification

How long does it take to get scuba certified?

It takes (4-7) days to get a PADI scuba diving certification.

How much does it cost to get certified scuba diving?

We can’t answer this question simply because the prices vary from one center to another depending on location and other factors.

Generally, it costs as much as private golf lessons extending 3 hours or surfing lessons for a full day.

How to choose a dive shop?

Ask your friends and family for recommendations. You can also read the reviews on the dive shops ‘s sites and finally know what is important for you.

How to choose a scuba instructor?

Ask for recommendations and read the reviews. You should choose an experienced dive instructor who follows training standards.