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Frequently
Asked Questions about Learning to Scuba Dive
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Do I need to be an expert swimmer in order
to scuba dive?
Do I need to have a physical examination
before taking scuba lessons?
How soon can I start my scuba course?
Can I sign up for a class over the telephone?
How long does my certification last?
What equipment will I need for the class?
What happens if I miss a class or need extra classroom help?
What happens if I miss a pool session or need extra pool time?
What happens during the Open Water
Certification Dives?
Can I complete my Open Water Training
Dives on a store-sponsored trip?
Can I complete my Open Water Training Dives on my
vacation?
What is the first piece of equipment
I should purchase after becoming a diver?
After obtaining my Open Water
Certification, what course should I take next?
Do I need to be an expert swimmer in order
to scuba dive? (back to top)
Not at all. We ask that you be
able to swim non-stop for 200 yards using any stroke or combination of strokes
that you prefer. We also ask that you be able to tread water or float in
place for ten minutes. It is not necessary to be an Olympic swimmer, just
that you not be afraid of the water.
Do I need to have a physical examination
before taking scuba lessons? (back
to top)
Once you have enrolled in your scuba
course you will be given a student folder with a "Medical History"
questionnaire. If none of the conditions listed pertain to you, then no
further action is necessary. If, however, you answer, "yes" to
any of the questions, you will be given a "Medical Release" to take to
your physician. It is required that this release be signed by a physician
prior to starting your pool or open water training. The purpose of the
"Medical Release" is for your safety, to ensure that you would not be
putting yourself at risk. Should you need to obtain a Medical Release
you can down load one here. Click
here for a copy of the Medical Release Form.
How soon can I start my scuba course?
(back to top)
| You can start your course today.
After looking over our "Class Schedule" and finding a class that meets
your needs, you can register for the course either by telephone (703-619-1500)
or by coming to our facility. Prior to the class we will set up a time for
you to complete your registration and pick up your
course books or materials. It is always nice to get a head start and become familiar with
the material.
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Can I sign up for a class over the telephone?
(back to top)
Yes, you can sign up for any of our classes over the phone. If you call
during our normal retail hours we can take a credit card deposit to hold a spot
in the class for you. Since most of our classes do sell out, this is a
good way to insure that you do not miss out on the class that you want.
How long does my certification last?
(back to top)
Your certification card has no
expiration date. It is, however, recommended that you stay proficient in
regards to your scuba skills. If you have not scuba dived in awhile it
would be prudent to take a "Scuba Review Course" to refresh both your
scuba knowledge and skills.
What equipment will I need for the class?
(back to top)
All of the major equipment for the class is provided at no charge. You
will be fitted with a wetsuit for both the pool and for open water. The
wetsuit will insure both your comfort and assist in your buoyancy training.
You will also be provided a buoyancy vest, a regulator and scuba cylinder.
The items that you will need to provide are
your mask, snorkel, boots, fins and weights. We have this equipment for
sale at special prices for students and we also have it for rent. The
first night of class we will review the equipment for you. Your
Instructors will also speak with you individually to determine when and where
you plan to dive. We will then make suggestions on what would be
appropriate for you and whether you should purchase or rent. We do not
want you to buy anything that you would not use after the class.
What happens if I miss a class
or need extra classroom help? (back
to top)
It is not uncommon for someone to
miss a class due to illness or work related problems. If you will miss a
class let your Instructor know. If you find you do not understand
something and need a little extra help let your Instructor know this as
well. After you have read the appropriate
material we will try and schedule a time during the day with one of our
Instructors to review what
has been missed or what you do not understand. If you are unable to arrange
a time during the day and need special scheduling during the evening or on a
weekend, we will arrange for one of our Instructors to meet with you at a slight
additional cost.
What happens if I miss a pool
session or need extra pool time? (back
to top)
Pool sessions are more difficult to
make up than a class session. If you know that you will miss a particular
pool session we can sometimes schedule a private make-up session. Since
skills are learned in sequence of from simple to more complex, missing a session
may mean being moved to another class or may even necessitate multiple make-up
sessions. We try and be flexible concerning each individual student's
needs, but pool space is limited and since the pool is paid in advance for
private and make-up sessions, missing pool time will result in extra charges for
the student. Occasionally a student will benefit from some extra practice
time. If this is the case we will try and schedule additional pool time on
an as needed basis. Extra pool time will result in extra charges for the
student.
What happens during the Open Water
Certification Dives? (back
to top)
The Open Water Certification Dives
are not a test. You can only accomplish so much in the limited space of a
swimming pool. The Open Water Dives are an opportunity for you to
experience the vastness of open water and simultaneously perfect your scuba
skills.
There are four dives for the Open Water
Certification. While all of the dives are fun, the first dive is strictly
a "fun dive." You are taken on tour by your Instructor so
that you can see what scuba diving really is. The next three dives will
start with a few of the basic skills that you learned in the swimming pool.
You will not be asked to do anything that you have not done before. After
completing the few skills you will again go on a "fun tour" of the
dive site, being accompanied by a member of our highly trained professional
staff.
Can I complete my Open Water Training
Dives on a store-sponsored trip?
(back to top)
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Our trips to Florida or the Caribbean
are perfect places to complete your open water training. Our trips are
lead by one of our Instructors and he or she is therefore familiar with you and
the training that you have received. In addition, by completing your
dives on one of our trips you will save money. Not only are our prices for
the dives usually less expensive than that of the dive resorts, but we also
provide the major items of equipment at no charge so that you save money on the
equipment during the trip.
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Can I complete my Open Water Training Dives on my
vacation? (back to top)
The courses that we offer are PADI Courses. PADI is the Professional
Association of Diving Instructors, the largest certifying agency in the
world. PADI resorts and dive centers can be found world wide, enabling you
to complete your certification while on your vacation. To do this we can
provide you with a Referral Package. This package includes copies of your
Medical History, and a Referral Document, specially prepared by your Instructor,
showing what parts of the Open Water Course that you have successfully
completed. We will also provide both you and the Instructor who will be
taking you on your dives with information regarding your training. A
Referral Package is available for a nominal fee and is good for one year.
What is the first piece of equipment
I should purchase after becoming a diver? (back
to top)
Once you become certified, you will naturally think about purchasing you own
equipment. If you will dive more than once or twice a year it is probably
worthwhile in purchasing a complete set of equipment. If finances or the
number of times that you will dive dictate otherwise, start with the items that
are most personally fitted.
Most divers will start with a wetsuit
appropriate for the areas that they will be diving. Having your own suit
is not only more comfortable but more hygienic as well. The second piece
of equipment should be the buoyancy control device. Both of these items
need to fit perfectly to be 100 percent effective. Most of us are not
models and having our own would make our diving not only safer but also more
enjoyable.
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What is the first piece of equipment
I should purchase after becoming a diver? (back
to top)
Once you become certified, you will naturally think about purchasing you own
equipment. If you will dive more than once or twice a year it is probably
worthwhile in purchasing a complete set of equipment. If finances or the
number of times that you will dive dictate otherwise, start with the items that
are most personally fitted.
Most divers will start with a wetsuit
appropriate for the areas that they will be diving. Having your own suit
is not only more comfortable but more hygienic as well. The second piece
of equipment should be the buoyancy control device. Both of these items
need to fit perfectly to be 100 percent effective. Most of us are not
models and having our own would make our diving not only safer but also more
enjoyable.
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After obtaining my Open Water
Certification, what course should I take next? (back
to top)
No question, take the Advanced Open Water Course (AOW) as soon after as you can.
The AOW course is not restricted to advanced divers; it is a continuation of the
Open Water course and is perfect for the newly certified diver. It is only
one night of classroom and five dives under the supervision of your instructor.
In one short weekend you will not only double your experience, but you will
encounter new types of diving. Underwater navigation, night diving, deep
diving and other areas of diving interest, such as photography and wreck diving
await you.
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