Scuba Flag | Scuba Diving School | Scuba Diving School - How to Start Scuba Diving?

You want to go scuba diving but don’t know where to start?

The first thing any new diver will need is basic certification. You can browse your local yellow pages or use some of the links posted in this article. Your first course will give you basic certification usually thru PADI, NAUI, SSI, BSAC. You can find dive shops and course listings at the www.padi.com web site. They are the most widespread program. Expect a certification course and your first dives to cost at least $300.

You can also get your basic certification while on a trip abroad, most island resorts offer certification and your first guided dive for about $150, great fun. They usually supply everthing you will need including scuba equipment.

The courses that are offered through out the USA may require you to purchase your own scuba mask and snorkel. Most classes will have the rest of the gear for you to use while you take the class. Expect your first mask & snorkel to cost somewhere around $100. If you enjoy diving or expect to start scuba diving often you can also buy your own fins & booties, which will cost another $100. Cheap equipment can be found at most sporting goods stores. I recommend you buy all your own diving equipment that is personally fit by an expert… your gear will start off consisting of a mask, booties, fins, wetsuit, gloves, and anything else suggested by your instructor. Remember is is not mandatory, you can easily rent all your supplies anywhere you’d want to dive. Full set ups, minus the scuba tanks, usually range only about $25. Resort and destination shops will run about the same, if you take their tours the equipment is usually included if you need the items.

Scuba Schools and Certification

ACUC - American Canadian Underwater Certifications Inc. - originated in Canada in 1969 and expanded internationally in 1984 - certifications recognized worldwide.

British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC) - based in the United Kingdom, mostly for UK divers and clubs.

CEDIP - European Committee of Professional Diving Instructors - (http://www.cedip.org/) based in Europe since 1992 but international certifications are recognized all over the world.

Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques (CMAS)

National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) - based in the USA

Professional Diving Instructors Corporation (PDIC) - based in the USA

Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) - based in the USA, largest recreational dive training and certification organization in the world.

International Training SDI, TDI & ERDi

Scuba Schools International (SSI) - based in the USA.

YMCA SCUBA - based in the USA, part of Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), a Christian related organization that is open to all faiths, ages and genders despite the historic name.