Obtaining Certification Through PADI Scuba Diving Lessons

There are different professional diving organizations in the world today, but one of the most respected is PADI, or the Professional Association of Diving Instructors. PADI scuba diving lessons can be found all over the world, and the PADI association also has links to different shops and resorts where individuals can obtain scuba diving equipment and can enjoy sight seeing underwater at the different locations. PADI scuba diving lessons are tailored to the needs of the individuals so that those learning to dive for the first time can find lessons as well as those who are advanced and want to obtain a rescue diving license. The scuba diving lessons cost different amounts depending on the type of lesson.

What to Expect

Before signing up to take a PADI scuba diving lesson, some individuals may want to test it out to see if scuba diving is the right sport for them. There are some demonstration diving 'lessons' that can be done with a certified instructor in a shallow swimming pool. This allows the individuals to experience the gear of scuba diving and the experience of breathing under the water for the first time. Some individuals end up feeling claustrophobic when under the water and panic, so paying for a scuba diving course would not be the best option for them. The demonstrations are a great way to test the waters before paying for a course.

When taking a PADI scuba diving lesson, there is material that has to be learned through book knowledge and some that has to be obtained by experience in the water. The book knowledge can be obtained through the online part of the PADI scuba diving lessons, which allows individuals to do it on their own time. However, before being able to obtain a certification to scuba dive, the individual will have to prove that he has mastered both the book knowledge and the skills necessary to safely scuba dive in open water. This process for basic certification can take an individual anywhere from three days to six weeks, depending on the time the individual has to devote to the process and how quickly they master the skills in the course. More advanced courses can take a longer time since the divers must have more experience in the water before taking the course, especially for those wanting to obtain the rescue license. There are also some specialized course that allow individuals experience in wreck diving and night diving, as well as obtaining a Master Scuba diver rating through the PADI scuba diving lessons.