Scuba Diving Certifications: What You Need to Know

If you've got friends who love to go scuba diving, you've probably heard them talking about their diving licenses or certifications.

Equally, if you've ever asked about scuba diving at a holiday resort or your nearest dive center, you likely heard the same terms bouncing around.

But, what exactly are these scuba diving certifications, and do you really need them? There are lots of questions to ask, like_can you teach yourself to scuba dive_, and_do scuba licenses expire?_

If you're going to invest in this incredible underwater activity, it's helpful to know the facts!

Can You Teach Yourself to Scuba Dive?

While there are lots of thrilling skills and activities out there that can be mastered without assistance, scuba diving sadly isn't one of them.

Why? Because the equipment that divers used is quite complicated to use and there are a collection of behaviors and communication techniques that divers must all know in order to dive safely, wherever they are in the world.

If you think about it, when you're several meters below the waves and unable to speak to your companions verbally, it's vital that you know your way around your kit and how to ask for help if you need it!

So, in answer to the question “can you teach yourself to scuba dive?”, the answer is ultimately no. You can’t teach yourself to scuba dive. However, if you view this positively and engage with your scuba lessons, you may find that you really enjoy the learning experience!

Getting Your First Scuba Diving Certification

Many scuba divers use the terms certification and license interchangeably. What they are talking about is a qualification that proves they are competent to use scuba equipment and enter the water armed with all the right skills.

This certification will come from a diving agency, and while there are several to choose from, by far the most popular in the world is PADI, or the Professional Association of Diving Instructors.

The great thing about going with PADI is that it is recognized all around the globe and trainers are held to a very high standard. That's why around two-thirds of the certified divers internationally qualified through PADI.

The course that aspiring divers start with is the PADI Open Water Diver Certification, which allows them to rent or buy diving equipment, get their tanks filled at dive shops, and join guided dives up to a certain expertise level at a host of amazing worldwide locations.

There is an even more basic option, called the Discover Scuba Diving course, which is designed for those who just want to give the sport a try. However, this isn't a certification that will serve as a passport to other underwater adventures.

What Is the First Scuba Diving Certification Like?

All in all, the PADI Open Water Diver Certification takes about 35 hours and is spread over a different number of days depending on how the dive center has designed its course.

It's not that learning to scuba dive is particularly difficult but more that your instructors want to make sure that you have mastered every aspect fully before letting you loose in the water!

The training course includes five confined-water dives, which are usually done in a swimming pool or lake, and four open-water dives, all carried out with your instructors.

There is also some academic learning to do about things like dive physics and your own physiology. While these parts of the course used always to be done in a classroom setting with the support of some homework, these days they can be completed using PADI's app on a smartphone or computer from the comfort of home.

This material involves videos and quizzes so it isn't too taxing, but if you do study remotely, expect to be tested by your instructors at your next session to ensure that you've fully absorbed all of the key information!

When it comes to getting into the water, you'll be taught things like how to assemble your scuba kit, how to breathe comfortably through a regulator, and how to balance your buoyancy using a weight belt and a BCD.

You'll get to grips with communicating using hand signals, what to do in an emergency, and even how to approach diving in a range of different conditions.

It's useful to note that at the end of this qualification, you'll be set to dive in conditions that are equal to or better than those you learned in.

The final result will be a PADI Open Water Diver card with your picture on it, ready to flash whenever you want to go diving next.

Do Scuba Diving Licenses Expire?

Whether you're thinking about doing a scuba diving course or completed one years ago and are now wondering if it's still valid, you may well ask, do scuba diving licenses expire?

Fundamentally, the answer to that question is no!

Once you've got your PADI Open Water Diver certification, you are licensed for life to go diving. However, in order to be a responsible scuba diver, there are still a few things to think about.

Young divers may need to upgrade their diving certification because those under the age of 15 are issued a Junior Open Water Diver certification. Between the ages of ten and twelve, young divers will only be certified to dive with a parent, while being limited to a depth of 40 feet (12 meters).

Between the ages of 12 and 15, young divers can dive with any certified adult, but not on their own and not deeper than 70 feet (21 meters). At 15 years old, divers can apply to exchange their Junior Open Water Diver card for an adult one.

As adult divers, if our scuba skills get a bit rusty it becomes wise to do a refresher course. PADI offers a ReActivate class to those who feel like they need a reminder of all the best diving practices.

Of course, divers don't have to stop with the Open Water Diver Certification either. They can also progress to any number of advanced courses, qualifying them as divemasters, diving instructors, cave divers, deep divers, cold-water divers, wreck divers, and much more.

Safety is so pivotal when it comes to diving safely that certification is always a smart investment!

Are you ready to take to the waves? Don't forget to use our free sea water temperatures checker to explore the temperatures of your next dreamed-of dive location. This will help you choose the right dive suit to stay comfortable and safe in the water.

Link/Reference This Article

If you found the information in this article useful in your research, please link to use as the source using the tool below.