how do i get started in scuba diving

Question
hey, i live in NC and i love to snorkel and always have, i have family in puerto rico and thats all i do. How do i get started in in scuba diving in my area and where could i go to get certified

Answer
You can look for dive centers in the phone book, online, or through diving periodicals. Looking in the phone book under "diving instruction" or "scuba instruction" will give you an idea of the number of dive centers in your area. You can do Internet searches for North Carolina dive centers or scuba instructors. Magazines listing dive centers may be found in stores. Those are the easiest ways to find available instruction.

But, you don't just want what is necessarily close by you, but rather quality. Sometimes the best dive instructor is just down the street and other times he or she might be found a bit further afield. Once you've located possible dive centers or instructors you should visit the dive centers and talk to the instructors and find one with a resume you admire and whose personality makes you feel comfortable. You may want to search through message boards related to diving and look at profiles of scuba instructors in your area and send them e-mails or messages inquiring about training.

Try to find an instructor who will give you more time in the pool or confined water and do more open water dives than others. The more class, pool and open water time you get the more time you'll have to learn and improve your skills. Diving can be a lifelong adventure and it is much more enjoyable when you are well-trained and comfortable. Good luck!