FAQs
Q: How long does it take to get certified?
A: It’s possible to complete your confined and open water dives in as few as two days after completing the home study option.
Usually the program takes three or four days with classroom, pool and open water dives completed.
Q: Is the course schedule flexible?
A: The PRO-DIVE/PADI Open Water Diver course is incredibly flexible and performance based, which means that we can offer a wide variety of schedules, paced according to how fast you progress.
Q: Do you have regular scheduled courses?
A: Our course schedule is 12 months in advance so a date can be allotted to you easily.
Q: Will the Instructor work with me to help me through?
A: Your instructor’s interest is in your learning to scuba dive, not in how long you sit in a class. So, training is based upon demonstrating that you know what you need to know and can do, what you need to do.
This means that you progress at your own pace – faster or slower depending upon the time you need to become a confident scuba diver who dives regularly.
Q: When can I start learning to scuba dive?
A: You can start learning to scuba dive right now with PADI eLearning.
Q: How much does it cost to take scuba lessons?
A: Compared with getting started in other popular adventure sports and outdoor activities, learning to scuba dive is not expensive.
For example, you can expect to pay about the same as you would for:
- a full day of surfing lessons
- a weekend of rock climbing lessons
- a weekend of kayaking lessons
- a weekend of fly-fishing lessons
- about three hours of private golf lessons
- about three hours of private water skiing lessons
- one amazing night out at the pub!
Q: Is diving value for money?
A:
Learning to scuba dive is a great value when you consider that you learn to dive under the guidance and attention of a high trained, experienced professional – your Pro-Dive Scuba Instructor.
From the first day, scuba diving starts transforming your life with new experiences you share with friends. Plus, you can do it almost anywhere there is water.
Q: What scuba gear do I need to learn to scuba dive?
A: Choosing and using your scuba gear is part of the fun of diving.
We will help you find the right gear.
Each piece of scuba equipment performs a different function so that collectively, it adapts you to the underwater world. When you start learning to scuba dive, as a minimum, you want your own scuba mask, scuba fins, snorkel.
Q: Are there different sizes of gear?
A:
These have a personal fit, we will help you choose ones that have the fit and features best suited to you.
Q: Do you provide all scuba gear for the course?
A:
As part of the enrollment fee for all of your PADI Open Water Diver course, Pro-Dive central Coast will provide all the scuba equipment you require such as:
Scuba regulator
Scuba BCD
Dive gauges
Scuba tank
Scuba wetsuit
Weight system and weights
Q: Why is it recommended that I invest in my own scuba equipment?
A: When you start your course you are
more comfortable using scuba gear fitted for you. You will be more comfortable learning to scuba dive using gear you have chosen yourself.
Scuba divers who own their own scuba diving equipment find it convenient to go diving
and
having your own scuba diving gear is part of the fun of diving
Q: What type of scuba gear do I need to dive?
A:
The kind of gear you will need depends on the conditions where you dive. You may want
tropical scuba gear,
temperate scuba equipment or cold water scuba equipment
Q: How do I know what’s the best scuba gear?
A: Easy. There is no best gear. But, there is the best gear for you.
The professionals at Pro-Dive Central Coast are trained to help you find scuba gear that best matches your preferences, fit and budget.
These professionals can get you set with the right stuff, plus they provide service and support for years of enjoyable and dependable use.
Q: What’s required to take scuba lessons?
A: If you have an appetite for excitement and adventure, odds are you can become an avid PADI scuba diver. You'll also want to keep in mind these requirements:
Q: What is the minimum Age?
A: 12 years old
Q: Do I need to take a Dive medical?
A: For a safety precaution, your physician must assess and sign a medical form that confirms that you’re fit to dive.
Consult with a physician before entering the course. Plus you can download the scuba medical questionnaire here.
Q: Are there Waterskills I need to do:
A: Before completing the PADI Open Water Diver course, your instructor will have you demonstrate basic waterskill comfort by having you:
- swim 200 metres/yards (or 300 metres/yards in mask, fins and snorkel). There is no time limit for this, and you may use any swimming strokes you want.
- float and tread water for 10 minutes, again using any methods that you want.
Q: What about the Physical Challenges?
A:
Any individual who can meet the performance requirements of the course qualifies for certification.
There are many adaptive techniques that allow individuals with physical challenges to meet these requirements.
Individuals with paraplegia, amputations and other challenges commonly earn the PADI Open Water Diver certification.
Even individuals with more significant physical challenges participate in diving.
Q; What are the Learning Materials ?
A:
Unless you choose PADI eLearning, you will use the following training materials during the PADI Open Water Diver course and for your review and reference after the course:
The PADI Open Water Diver Manual
PADI Log book
DSAT
Recreational Dive Planner
Q: Where can I scuba dive?
A: You can dive practically anywhere there is water – from a swimming pool to the ocean and all points in between, including quarries, lakes, rivers and springs.
Where you can scuba dive is determined by your:
Diving experience level
Dive site accessibility
Dive
conditions
Personal interests For example, if you’ve just finished your PADI Open Water Diver course, you probably won’t be diving under the Antarctic ice shelf on your next dive.
But, don’t limit your thinking to the warm, clear water you see in travel magazines.
Some of the best diving is closer than you think.
Your local dive site can be anything from a special pool built just for divers like one found in Brussels, Belgium, or more typically natural sites like Belize’s Great Blue Hole, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef or Japan’s Yonaguni Monument.
It may be a man made reservoir or a fossil-filled river. It’s not always about great visibility because what you see, is more important than how far you see.
Q: Where can I dive?
A: The only truly important thing about where you dive is that you have the scuba diving training and experience appropriate for diving there, and that you have a dive buddy to go with you.
We can help you organize great local diving or a dive vacation.
Visit today to get started.
Q: My ears hurt when I dive in a swimming pool?
A: The discomfort is the normal effect of water pressure pressing in on your ears.
Fortunately, our bodies are designed to adjust for pressure changes in our ears – you just need to learn how.
Q: Does a history of ear troubles, diabetes, asthma, allergies or smoking preclude someone from diving?
A: Not necessarily. Any condition that affects the ears, sinuses, respiratory function or heart function or may alter consciousness is a concern, but only a physician can assess a person’s individual risk. Physicians can consult with the Divers Alert Network (DAN) as necessary when assessing a scuba candidate.
Download the Medical Statement to take to your physician.
Q: What are the most common injuries or sicknesses associated with diving?
A: Sun burn and seasickness, both of which are preventable with over the counter preventatives. The most common injuries caused by marine life are scrapes and stings, most of which can be avoided by wearing an exposure suit, staying off the bottom and watching where you put your hands and feet.
Q: What about sharks?
A: When you’re lucky, you get to see a shark. Although incidents with sharks occur, they are very, very rare and with respect to diving, primarily involve spear fishing or feeding sharks, both of which trigger feeding behavior.
Most of the time, if you see a shark it’s passing through and a relatively rare sight to enjoy.
Q: Do women have any special concerns regarding diving?
A: Aside from pregnancy, no.
Because physiologists know little about the effects of diving on the fetus, the recommendation is that women avoid diving while pregnant or trying to become pregnant.
Menstruation is not normally a concern.
Q: How deep do you go?
A: With the necessary training and experience, the limit for recreational scuba diving is 40 metres. Beginning scuba divers stay shallower than about 18 metres/60 feet.
Although these are the limits, some of the most popular diving is no deeper than 12 metres/40 feet where the water’s warmer and the colors are brighter.
Q: What happens if I use up all my air?
A: That’s not likely because you have a gauge that tells you how much air you have at all times. This way, you can return to the surface with a safety reserve remaining.
But to answer the question, if you run out of air, your buddy has a spare mouthpiece that allows you to share a single air supply while swimming to the surface.
There are also other options you’ll learn in your scuba diving training.
Q: What if I feel claustrophobic?
A: People find the “weightlessness” of scuba diving to be quite freeing. Modern scuba masks are available in translucent models, which you may prefer if a mask makes you feel closed in.
During your Pro-Dive SCUBA diver training, your Pro-Dive instructor gives you plenty of time and coaching to become comfortable with each stage of learning.
Your scuba instructor works with you at your own pace to ensure you master each skill necessary to become a capable scuba diver who dives regularly. |
