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You have decided to check out the underwater world of Scuba Diving, but are unsure of where to start. The choice of which Dive Center to start training with, where to buy equipment, or even travel opportunities, can often be overwhelming. Although it might be easy to pick the first shop that pops up when doing a search, it is beneficial for you to do your research and choose carefully.
Scuba diving is a sport like no other in that it requires a combination of skill, understanding of some basic physics, and a certain level of physical fitness. Therefore it is important that the dive shop you choose has staff and instructors that are knowledgeable in these areas and can provide a safe learning environment.
As many start, this journey, questions arise about the pricing of training and equipment. Keep in mind that the cheapest does not mean the safest - diving is an expensive sport. Your safety should be the top priority in your initial search. Dive shops that offer longer classes, often better prepare students to become lifelong divers. The more time you have in the water practicing skills, the safer diver you will become and much more confident in the open water.
It is easy for a shop to say that safety is their priority and what you are looking for is, is that their "walk matches their talk". Some questions to ask your dive shop:
- How many people are in the class? What is the ratio for instructor/student?
- How many hours do I get in the classroom and pool before my open water checkouts?
- How well maintained is the gear you will be using? What is their sanitization protocol?
- Ask about Instructor's latest certificates and current rating.
- Ask about their safety record.
You should never feel afraid to ask questions and have them answered honestly by the dive center staff. A trustworthy dive center will help guide you to make the choice and make you feel safe. If the dive shop is unwilling to give you answers, find another shop.
With Scuba you are learning a new skill of breathing underwater, you want to make sure that you meet with your instructor prior to signing up for a course. It is up to you to interview your instructor and see if it is a good fit for you. It comes down to the quality and knowledge of the sport that an instructor to pass on to you. Ask them questions, get a feel for them. You will be spending quite a bit of time with them through the course. The right instructor and dive center will work for you and with you to help you achieve your scuba goals.
Happy Bubbles!
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