Knowledge Sharing: Learning to dive
Learning to dive
If you are considering learning to scuba dive then you are already on your way to a whole world of new experiences, new challenges and exciting adventures. Diving is a great recreational sport which doesn't cost the earth and is suitable for all ages and abilities. Avid divers can progress through a range of qualifications to build up their skill levels and for many this can lead to an exciting new career in sports diving, instruction or rescue diving. Those who prefer to keep diving as a leisure pursuit will find it opens up a whole new world of experiences to them and is a wonderful way to spend weekends and holidays instead of just lounging around.
Many dive schools will offer what is called a `try dive` so that people thinking about learning to dive can have a go with the equipment and decide whether they would like to take up a course. These can cost from as little as £20 or £30 a session and often this cost is taken off the cost of a full course if you do decide to go ahead.
In the UK there are two providers of diving qualifications. The most popular is the Professional Association of Dive Instructors (PADI) qualifications. The British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC) offers tuition to British standards and in terms of information taught actually offers a better course than the alternative. However in some countries BSAC is not recognised and for this reason recreational divers tend to opt for PADI unless they know they will only want to dive in the UK.
With both BSAC and PADI new divers will start with a basic qualification and will have the option to move on. Those completely new to scuba diving may wish to undertake a half day of `Discover Scuba Diving`. This offers more than a try dive but again does not commit them to any continuing course.
If trainees do want to go for a professional qualification the first one they will do will be the Open Water Diver course. This usually takes about 3 full days (but can be completed in half days if necessary) and successful completion means the diver is certified for life and can hire equipment and undertake dives without supervision. Many divers completing this course then go on to do the `Advanced Open Water Diver` qualification which entitles them to dive deeper and gives them essential additional skills to keep them safe in the water.
When choosing a dive school it is important to check they have their insurance, accreditation to professional body and health and safety checks up to date. It is also good to check when they last had their equipment serviced and if possible to get a recommendation from a previous student. Basic Open Water Diver qualifications usually cost all together from £200 - £300 depending on whether you are hiring equipment and air and if your school takes you out in a boat or just for a shore dive.
For many people learning to dive, going abroad to do their qualification can be a great option. So many countries in the world have excellent weather, crystal clear warm waters and superb dive schools, the prospect of learning in the freezing cold and murky British seas can be somewhat unappealing.
Close to home and fairly inexpensive to get to, the Mediterranean islands are a great choice of location to complete a dive qualification. Tenerife is a popular choice as divers can look for a good deal on a holiday package and then sign up to a dive school once they get there. Looking out for cheap holidays in the Costa Adeje, Santa Cruz and Candelaria areas will put you close to some excellent dive schools which can undertake a PADI Open Water Diver course in just 3 or 4 days, leaving plenty of time for relaxing on the beach (or for doing more diving of course!).
www.sunshine.co.uk
If you are considering learning to scuba dive then you are already on your way to a whole world of new experiences, new challenges and exciting adventures. Diving is a great recreational sport which doesn't cost the earth and is suitable for all ages and abilities. Avid divers can progress through a range of qualifications to build up their skill levels and for many this can lead to an exciting new career in sports diving, instruction or rescue diving. Those who prefer to keep diving as a leisure pursuit will find it opens up a whole new world of experiences to them and is a wonderful way to spend weekends and holidays instead of just lounging around.
Many dive schools will offer what is called a `try dive` so that people thinking about learning to dive can have a go with the equipment and decide whether they would like to take up a course. These can cost from as little as £20 or £30 a session and often this cost is taken off the cost of a full course if you do decide to go ahead.
In the UK there are two providers of diving qualifications. The most popular is the Professional Association of Dive Instructors (PADI) qualifications. The British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC) offers tuition to British standards and in terms of information taught actually offers a better course than the alternative. However in some countries BSAC is not recognised and for this reason recreational divers tend to opt for PADI unless they know they will only want to dive in the UK.
With both BSAC and PADI new divers will start with a basic qualification and will have the option to move on. Those completely new to scuba diving may wish to undertake a half day of `Discover Scuba Diving`. This offers more than a try dive but again does not commit them to any continuing course.
If trainees do want to go for a professional qualification the first one they will do will be the Open Water Diver course. This usually takes about 3 full days (but can be completed in half days if necessary) and successful completion means the diver is certified for life and can hire equipment and undertake dives without supervision. Many divers completing this course then go on to do the `Advanced Open Water Diver` qualification which entitles them to dive deeper and gives them essential additional skills to keep them safe in the water.
When choosing a dive school it is important to check they have their insurance, accreditation to professional body and health and safety checks up to date. It is also good to check when they last had their equipment serviced and if possible to get a recommendation from a previous student. Basic Open Water Diver qualifications usually cost all together from £200 - £300 depending on whether you are hiring equipment and air and if your school takes you out in a boat or just for a shore dive.
For many people learning to dive, going abroad to do their qualification can be a great option. So many countries in the world have excellent weather, crystal clear warm waters and superb dive schools, the prospect of learning in the freezing cold and murky British seas can be somewhat unappealing.
Close to home and fairly inexpensive to get to, the Mediterranean islands are a great choice of location to complete a dive qualification. Tenerife is a popular choice as divers can look for a good deal on a holiday package and then sign up to a dive school once they get there. Looking out for cheap holidays in the Costa Adeje, Santa Cruz and Candelaria areas will put you close to some excellent dive schools which can undertake a PADI Open Water Diver course in just 3 or 4 days, leaving plenty of time for relaxing on the beach (or for doing more diving of course!).
www.sunshine.co.uk
Submited by: Skaphandrus