5 Tips to Find the Right Scuba Diving Lessons Near You

Non-divers need more insight when it comes to choosing scuba diving lessons. Going for the cheapest and quickest scuba diving class can be the biggest mistake. Proper training should be a top priority if you want to be a professional scuba diver or an instructor. If you want to be a more skilled diver to enjoy diving to the fullest, adequate training and practice under the guidance and supervision of an experienced and certified instructor is a must. This is why it is essential to choose suitable scuba diving classes.

In this article, we have five tips that will help you in making an informed decision. 

Choosing Scuba Diving Certification

You must complete training and earn a scuba diving certification to be a professional diver or instructor. You have to receive training under the supervision and instructions of a certified and insured instructor. A scuba diving instructor has credentials with more than one certification agency. These agencies are providing certifications to divers worldwide. Following are some of the most popular scuba diving certification agencies:

• PADI
• NAUI
• SSI
• SDI
• IDEA
• SEI
• IANTD
• PDIC
• GUE
• CMAS
• PSAI
• BSAC

If you want to get scuba diving certification from the world's largest scuba diving training agency, choose PADI or SSI. Make sure you select an experienced and PADI or SSI-certified instructor for training. 

Sections Of Training

Most of the scuba diving agencies break down scuba diving classes into the following three sections of training:

• Academic training
• Confined water training
• Open water training

Academic training

It consists of classroom sessions. These sessions include learning through books, videos and presentations by the instructor. In these sessions, the instructor tells about the following:

• Diving environment
• Diving equipment
• Diving physiology
• Diving science
• Dive table usage

Confined water training

These pool sessions can be in a pool or a controlled water body with pool-like conditions. In confined water training, you are introduced to scuba diving skills. You can practice and develop scuba diving skills. Your new learnings include:

• Breathing underwater
• Clearing regulator
• Clearing mask
• Monitoring air supply
• Entering the water
• Exiting the water
• Establishing neutral buoyancy
• Assisting your buddy

Open Water Training

This training takes place in an actual diving environment. You will not only apply your confined water training learning but also learn some new skills, including:

• Beach entries
• Navigation
• Dive boat operations

The instructor will monitor and see if you are applying scuba diving skills. For example, are you monitoring your air supply or not?

Here are the things you should consider for these three sections: When it comes to academic learning,

• Read their sample textbook.
• Check out their online demo program.
• Ask about the number of instructor presentations or lessons.
• See your instructor in person.

In the case of confined water training,

• Check the depth of the pool. 9', 10' or 12' deep pools are the most suitable for training.
• Check the water temperature and make sure they provide a wetsuit.
• Do they provide extra time for practice?

When it comes to open-water training,

• Make sure that they have charter dive boats.
• Do they allow to dive on recreational dives?
• Avoid open water training in a lake.

Class Pricing

This part dramatically influences the decision-making process. Class pricing varies. In some classes, you might have to make additional purchases. You might have come across a $199 scuba diving course. For some scuba diving courses, you will have to pay $500. Not all classes are all-inclusive. Consider the following:

• Is the cost of books and materials included in the fee?
• Do you have to pay separately if you go with online learning?

• Do they include confined water and open water diving centre cost in the course fee?

Scheduling

• Avoid cheap and short scuba diving classes. Make sure that the schedule of the course works for you. If it does not, you should take a private scuba diving class. You must have enough time for more training. Choose a course spreading out over two or three weeks. 

Compare

• Don't compare the class pricing only. Compare the professionalism, experience and skills of the instructor, the quality of the material, confined water diving spots, open water diving spots and all other aspects. You can rely on online ratings and reviews.