Although it is possible to go to some resorts in the Caribbean and after a few hours in the pool, experience your first dive, I would not recommend this approach. Scuba Diving is a sport with multiple risks and taking a “Quickie” resort certification may not properly prepare you to avoid these risks. For example, one of the first rules you learn is training to never hold your breath. When a diver fails to exhale properly, or holds their breath during ascent, the compressed gas in their lungs expands and can cause the lungs to rupture if not exhaled. This is called pulmonary barotrauma.
Where To Start
There are over many different certification programs and here is a recent review with names the top 5 programs. I was originally certified under PADI. At the time it was the most popular certification agenda in the world as remains so today. Most scuba instructors are able to provide continuing education under PADI. While PADI remains popular, I found their digital apps difficult to use and their training materials a little dated. My local dive shop introduced me to SSI and I’m a huge fan.
I prefer SSI for the following reasons:
- You can ditch the books. All materials are offered digitally and you receive updates for life.
- The SSI App is amazing. All certifications are handled electronically and pushed automatically to your SSI app.
- The SSI App is your dive book, so you can easily log your dives.
- The training tends to be cheaper than PADI.
- SSI instructors can offer tailor made courses to suit your learning style.
- SSI empowers instructors to add information and/or skills if that improves the quality of the course.
As someone who is learning to dive, the certification is not nearly as important as the dive shop that trains you. Find a local dive shop with a solid reputation and sign up for their Open Water Certification.
Open Water Certification
Becoming an SSI Open Water Diver is the best way to start your scuba adventure due to worldwide recognition. As an Open Water Student you must:
- Complete the online academic training and attend review sessions at the dive shop.
- Participate in pool/confined water training with an Open Water Instructor
- Complete at least 4 open water dives, where you will demonstrate the skills you learned during the confined water training.
Once you complete these three steps you will be an Open Water Certified Diver through SSI and will be able to dive all around the world, but that’s not the end. It’s only the beginning.
Continuing Education
With just a little more training, you can go even further. Imagine the experience of diving in underwater shipwrecks or becoming an underwater photographer! SSI has a full menu of exciting Specialty Programs that can help you grow yoru skills and knowledge about the underwater world and allow you to take steps to even more advanced diving.
Summary
Scuba Diving is safe if you’ve been properly training and you may find that it can be one of the most enriching and fun experiences of your life. I’ve met so some amazing people while diving, many of whom I am still in touch with. It’s a sport that brings people together.
Get certified and go out there and experience a whole new world.
Check out the Seaventures Calendar and see when you’d like to get certified and let me know if you have any questions.
D&W
