Scuba diving is an exciting water sport. To be eligible to learn it, you must be at least 10-12 years old. You must also have a basic level of physical fitness to enjoy this activity. This course is taken on a full-time basis can be completed between 3-5 days. If a person is doing it on a part-time basis, he can complete as per his convenience. People who learn this course while they are on a vacation, prefer to do it full time.
Basic scuba diving certification course is an open water diving course taught by a certification agency. This course trains you to learn the scuba diving techniques which will enable you to become an independent diver.
The basic stages involved in learning scuba diving are:
Stage 1: Understanding the theory of diving
Once you enrol in diving, you are given literature and DVDs to understand diving. You can study on your own or there is the option of classroom study. Online courses are also available. Various institutions provide e-learning material to their students. The study material contains information about basic diving techniques, effects of diving on the body, diving safety, selection of diving equipment and its maintenance, etc. After the completion of the course, a test is held. Passing the test prepares you for the next stage.
Stage 2: Training in Confined Waters
After you understand the concepts of diving completely, you are ready to be trained in inbound waters like a swimming pool or a calm beach. The first stage of underwater training is ideally done in shallow waters where you can stand underwater. After training, you will gradually gain the confidence of staying underwater. Then you can venture into deaf bound waters. Once you are comfortable underwater, you are ready for the next stage.
Stage 3: Open Water Diving
All the preparation finally culminates into achieving the main objective of scuba diving in open waters. Open water diving is diving in big seas or oceans. Initially, open water diving is done by going down with diving instructors. After a few such sessions, the person is ready for independent scuba-diving.
Some training institutions offer the facility of ‘referral training’. Referral training is when you can complete the theory and the limited water training stages at your home location, and have the flexibility to complete the open water stage at any location of your choice.
This sport is not very difficult to learn. After becoming a certified diver, you have the option of exploring the seas and oceans across the world. You can enjoy the beautiful coral reefs and varied marine life underwater.