Ask 10 people how much scuba diving training costs and you may get 10 different answers.  That’s because not only do prices vary greatly (depending upon location), but it also depends on what gear is included in the price.

Plus, some people learn scuba diving from friends or relatives who have been doing it for years.  (I don’t recommend going this route by the way.)

But in general, what I’ve seen as a common price point is somewhere in the $300 range.  Again, it also depends on what equipment is included, if any. 

Before signing up for any scuba training, make sure it’s a PADI Open Water class.

Happy Diving!

Tags: underwater, hawaii, diving, snorkel

One of the first questions I get asked when people learn I like to scuba dive is “isn’t all that equipment expensive”.  And yes, it sure can be. However, new scuba divers need to keep in mind two things:

1. You don’t need to buy every dive gadget in order to get started, and

2. You don’t even need to *buy* the equipment.

Let’s start with #2 first.

A person who thinks they may enjoy scuba diving should never go out and start buying equipment. Why?  Because practically everything you need is available for renting. So take it easy on your checkbook or credit card and check out rentals at your local dive shop first.

Secondly, you only need the “basics” when you first start diving.  What are the “basics”?  I would say:

1. Scuba tank (You could start out snorkeling though.)
2. Mask
3. Fins
4. Dive vest (or buoyancy compensator)
5. Regulator and hoses
6. Dive belt

As you can see, there isn’t a whole lot required to get started. But whatever you decide to do, make the very first step GET TRAINED!

Tags: snorkel, diving, scuba, reef

I recently started looking for some new scuba equipment to replace my aging stuff.  I didn’t realize how expensive things have gotten!  But I suppose it’s the way of the future - gas, food, etc, etc.  Anyway, if anyone has any recommendations of places to shop, I’d love to hear them.  Thanks.

 -Scuba Guy

Tags: hawaii, underwater, snorkel, scuba

SCUBA stands for Self-Contained-Underwater-Breathing-Apparatus and has become popular the last few years because it’s exciting, a sport for everyone and because the technology has made it easier and easier.

You probably remember Jacques Cousteau who has done very well for the SCUBA industry with his wonderful underwater videos. Since his videos and underwater explorations, SCUBA diving has become more and more popular. At the moment of writing (06/2006), PADI, the world’s largest diving organisation has more than 130,000 dive professionals and around 5300 PADI Dive Centers and Resorts operating in 180 countries and territories.

Where do I find a dive center?
The best place for you to find a dive center is probably on the website of PADI (www.padi.com). You can find PADI dive centers in more than 180 countries. This means that you will probably locate one close to your home. You can contact the dive center with your requests and they will be more than happy to provide you with any information you need.

On holiday or rather at home?
That totally depends on what you want to do. You can even combine it! It is possible to do the theory and swimming pool lessons at your dive center at home, and to do your open water dives during your favourite diving holiday. It is called a referral, just ask your dive center to arrange it for you; most of the time they have special deals for you. Referrals are usually valid for 12 months so you can take your time for it.

Some popular destinations for SCUBA diving are the Red Sea and the Caribbean. Both destinations offer clear and relaxed conditions and have hundreds of dive centers to choose from.

You can find diving courses on Diving Answers, we collect diving courses from all over the world and put them on one page… simple! It is an easy way to find your first diving course and we would be more than happy to give you any advice in our forum or per email. Independent advice, because we do not sell holidays or courses our selves.

What to look for?
Don’t only look at the price, look at the contact and response you get from the dive center as well, talk with your future instructor and staff, and ask many questions regarding the course, accommodation, study materials, exams, performance requirements etc. Diving instructors should have more than plenty of patience and most instructors are really friendly people who would love to help you out.

Don’t be afraid because they train people everyday. Look for quality and not quantity. It is not important how long an instructor has been training or how many students he or she has trained so far. It is about how much effort, devotion and love he or she puts in their work. Do you rather certify with a diving instructor that makes sure that you know what you are doing or are you just looking for a certification? Remember: you pay for the course, not for a certification.

I promise you a fun and unforgettable adventure while breathing for the first time underwater. Have fun!

Youri Vlag (from the Netherlands and living in the United Kingdom) is an experienced PADI instructor and EFR instructor and has worked as a dive guide and dive instructor in Thailand and Egypt. Youri writes articles about SCUBA diving for several sites and is the owner of http://www.divinganswers.com.

Tags: diving, scuba, underwater, reef

Fins are an important part of snorkeling gear. With their flat wide surface they allow the snorkeler to easily navigate under water. The larger the fins, the more force they provide in the forward direction; but larger fins are also heavier and may impede motion. Medium-sized fins are reportedly best.

Snorkel fins are available in heel-strap and full-foot styles. Heel-strap fins are strapped on the heels of the snorkeler. The strap should be of a good quality to prevent a break and the loss of a fin while snorkeling. Heel-strap fins, because they’re adjustable, are preferred for children and they do require footwear be worn under the fin. Full-foot fins have built in heels and are worn like shoes, so they’re less clumsy and more comfortable.

Since fins worn directly on the feet may cause blisters, a novice may want to wear socks. Fins should be checked for rips or tears before entering the water—duct tape and a few stitches are good for a quick repair. While buying fins, it is important to check that they are lightweight, so that they don’t obstruct movement.

Fins are available in various designs, size and color of the blade, which is the flat part of the fin. The blade is made of a flexible polyurethane material. Prices vary according to design and durability. Designer fins with colorful patterns are also available for the fashion-conscious snorkeler.

The necessity of fins is debatable. Most experienced snorkelers feel that fins are unnecessary and actually an impediment. But some believe that fins provide the necessary thrust required for good swimming.

Snorkeling provides detailed information about snorkeling, snorkeling fins and more. Snorkeling is affiliated with Dirt Bike Parts.

Tags: diving, snorkel, snorkeling, hawaii

Scuba Diving can be a dangerous sport if you do not take a ‘be safe always’ approach when entering the water. It has a lot to do with your personality at the end of the day. It will be as safe as you want it to be, even in times of extreme weather or water conditions. it is important to be always stay alert. Just like crossing the road, if you don’t take precautions and follow the simple rules that you have learnt as a child, accidents can happen anytime anywhere!

Get certified by a professionally recognised centre
Many new divers do not check that the centre they are learning from, particularly when they visit more remote places in Asia, that their dive instruction is received from a professionally organised and run centre. There is often a presumption that all dive centres have gone through proper checks, controls and certification. Unfortunately, there are many who profess to be qualified to instruct, but to save costs, have not received authentication from professional bodies such as PADI or SDI which have strict rules and requirements for all dive operators. Don’t miss this first check when you step in. Always ask to see proof of their certification.

Be medically certified to dive
See your doctor before you sign up for dive instruction. No one else should care as much about your safety as you! And no one else will be as sorry as you if there are accidents or problems when you dive. Get physically checked and if necessary, obtain a letter from your doctor authorising you to learn to dive.

Be aware of the conditions and your own diving competency level
Sometimes, it is best to follow your instinct. If you feel the currents are too strong, or you are not feeling well, stop your dive by informing your buddy straightaway and ascend together. Do not try to attempt a dive if you are uncomfortable. We have seen many experienced divers abandon dives due to strong currents, and that has saved them and their dive group a lot of trouble.

Never dive in terrain or environments you are not certified for
In order to dive caves, do night dives or penetrate wrecks, you should have received proper training and certification before you attempt them. There are techniques that you must learn in order to be safe for such specialty dives. Choose from the wide range of the Specialty Courses that krabidivers.com conducts regularly which is of interest to you, and you will find that you will be much more confident whenever you dive the next wreck or cave.

Be prepared to say “No” to a dive
If you find yourself uncomfortable or unsure, even after you have started to descend or are in the middle of a dive, it is OK to cancel that dive and come back another day when the conditions are more favourable. It does not mean that you are not a good diver - infact very often, it is the smart diver who knows himself best - and knows when to say “No thanks, I will sit out this one.”

Never dive alone
Regardless of experience levels, you should never dive alone. If you lose your buddy during a dive, look around for no more than one to two minutes. If you still cannot find your buddy, you should end your dive and make your way up to the surface. Not only will it be safer for you, it will also give comfort to your buddy that you are watching out for him too.

Prepare for a dive well
The night before a dive trip, you should always rest well, and hydrate yourself by drinking lot of water. And, you should not have a heavy night’s drinking as alcohol causes dehydration. Dehydration contributes to many diving-related illnesses.

Always check your dive gear before each dive (especially for rental gear!)
Before you go on each dive, always check all your dive gear again. Make sure that your regulator and hoses are working well without leaks, your BCD inflates well and your tank has the right level of air. Do not assume that just because you have returned from one dive safe and sound, using the same set of dive gear will not cause any problems on the next dive. Many shops have rental gear which may not have been serviced well or for a long time. You should check all gear, rental or your own, well before every single dive.

Choose a buddy who dives like you
While choosing a buddy who dives like you may not be an option many of the times, it is always good to get to know your buddy before you start diving together. Ask simple questions such as how many times he has dived, where he has dived, when his last dive was, and how good he is at air usage. This will help you to also anticipate problems your buddy may have during the dive. The most enjoyable dives are sometimes when you have a good buddy, who shares with you the sights he comes across and paces well with you throughout the dive.

Drink plenty of water
Diving can be a very dehydrating sport. Make sure that before every dive, you have plenty of water. I always make it a point to drink a cup of water just before I jump into the water. This has always helped me to stay well hydrated throughout the dive for the next 45 to 60 minutes.

Pay attention during your pre-dive briefing
Dive briefings are important to help you understand what to expect when in the water. Your dive guide will explain about the terrain, what you should expect to see as well as how to best navigate yourself around the dive site for a most enjoyable dive. It will also help you to anticipate changes in the terrain so that there are no surprises.

Be aware of sympthoms of hypothermia, heat exhaustion and dehydration
Watch out for all the sympthoms as you are your best judge of whether your dive will cause any problems. It is always best to be safe and not sorry, so look out for tingling sensations, nausea, giddiness, numbness and any other sensations that makes you uncomfortable. Inform your dive buddy and/or your dive guide about it, and stop the dive and start your ascend to the surface.

Respect marine life
All marine life needs to be respected, not just the big stuff. Be very aware of your surroundings and the fish and coral life around you. Do not touch anything as far as possible, especially if you are unsure if it will be poisonous. Remember, the ocean belongs to the marine life and we’re the visitors!

Diving is as safe as any other sport. As divers, we have a responsibility to the environment, to other divers and most of all, to ourselves to ensure safety and preservation. Safe diving is practiced if you choose the right partner to dive with, so make sure you find out about the dive centre, instructors and guides, and feel very comfortable that they practise the prescribed safety standards diligently and conscientiously.
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About the Author

This article was contributed by one of the staff members at www.KrabiDivers.com, , the premier dive centre at Krabi Thailand. At our dive centre, all our instructors, guides and crew faithfully follow diving safety standards. We also conduct all levels of dive courses and have the philosophy of small-groups for instruction, to ensure our customers are given our full attention.

Tags: snorkeling, hawaii, diving, underwater