Open Water | Advanced | Resue | Spec & DM | Scuba 101
SCUBA Diving 101
If you’re reading this page then you’ve obviously been thinking about learning to scuba dive. Perhaps even learning how to dive whilst on your holiday in Tobago. Well this is the page for you. Everything you need to know about getting started in the underwater world of Scuba diving is right here.
There are several internationally recognised scuba diving certification organisations. Although they all offer different methods and levels of certification, fundamentally the basics are the same. Of all the organisations, three stand out as being internationally recognised as the safest; they are PADI, CMAS and BSAC. These three have become the self-regulating organisations, which educate, teach, and promote safe scuba diving. You may wish to choose one of these organizations with which to do your training.
Deciding which one to choose can be a dilemma. On continental Europe CMAS, and in the United Kingdom BSAC, both offer similar training courses for new divers. Outside of their respective regions it’s hard to find dive centres that offer CMAS or BSAC courses. However it is accepted that, with over 5000 dive centres in 175 Countries and more than 1 million professional instructors and dive masters worldwide, PADI is the World’s largest and most widely recognised diving organisation.
As I am a PADI Instructor I will focus on the PADI system of diver education. One of PADI’s concepts was to break down the ‘learning to dive’ process into a tier structure, or pyramid, which would allow new divers to learn in steps. Each step or course is ‘linked’ to the next level and divers can climb the ladder step by step at their own rate as high as they want. This concept allows divers to pick up where they left off anywhere in the world, they can gradually work their way to full certification by either starting with Discover Scuba Diving ‘A Try Dive’ or going straight into a full Open Water Course.
So how do these courses differentiate? Let's take a look:
Discover Scuba Diving
The DSD is more commonly known as ‘The resort dive’ or ‘Try dive’ and is designed for people who want to see what diving is like without committing to a full training course. If your not 100% sure if diving is for you, then think about using this as your ‘Try Dive’. The PADI Discover Scuba Diving is a programme designed to allow people to come off the street and safely experience the underwater world with the tuition and guidance of a professional. You will receive some classroom instruction, before you go into your hotel swimming pool or confined water. Here I will teach you some basic scuba skills. Once you’ve completed these skills I will then take you on an open water scuba dive, exploring a safe shallow reef where you’ll see a whole new world. This programme will take about three hours to complete, and although in itself the Discover Scuba Diving programme is not a certification course, if you decide to go further, it can contribute toward both the PADI Scuba Diver or Open Water Course. It is not necessary or mandatory to do a DSD prior to undertaking a full Open Water Course.
Scuba Diver
This is the first level of certification under the PADI system. If you have already successfully enjoyed a DSD, then you’ll need another day or so to complete Scuba Diver. You’ll have a little bit of self study, using some dive books I will provide for you. It’s not much to read so please don’t worry about late nights burning the candle studying till dawn. And I am always there to help you understand any bits your not sure about. There’ll be some DvD chapters to watch which we can do in the comfort of your hotel garden or poolside and some additional classroom sessions as well as more skills to learn in the swimming pool. The best part of this course is that you’ll get another scuba dive in the sea. Otherwise if you haven’t already made a DSD then the Scuba Diver course can be started from scratch and takes about 2 to 2 ½ days. Some people choose this option as it takes half the time of an Open Water Course, or for unforeseen reasons, such as a cold or bad weather they are unable to complete an intended Open Water Course. It’s useful to know that you can at any time upgrade your Scuba Diver licence to open water at any PADI dive centre by simply completing the remainder of the course.
Open Water Diver
The most popular scuba diving certification worldwide, the PADI Open Water Course can be completed in 3 to 4 days. It’s worth remembering that you’re on holiday so take it easy, there’s no point rushing. This is where having a private instructor comes into its own. I will work with you at your pace and I’ll be there to help you with the self study. That said, its pretty much 100% that once you’ve completed your certification you’ll no doubt want to dive again, so bare that in mind when planning your schedule and try to do your course at the beginning of your holiday not the end. You can undertake the OWD course from scratch or come into it by way of either of the previous courses, DSD or Scuba Diver. However you start it you’ll find that over the three to four days you’ll have a lot of fun. There’s a variety of DvD video and classroom sessions, a bit more self study to learn than the Scuba Diver, and you’ll be taught a whole lot more skills in the swimming pool too.
Primarily, your OWD course will include four scuba dives in the sea, so that’s something to look forward to and at the end you’ll have an exam. But don’t be scared off by the thought of study and exams, there’s nothing frightening! Most people have absolutely no problem getting to grips with scuba diving academics and besides, that’s what your private instructor is there for…. To help you learn.
Children's Courses
Both the SCUBA DIVER and OPEN WATER DIVER courses have their junior equivalent for children between 10 years and 15 years old. For youngsters aged 8 – 10 years there’s the BUBBLEMAKER so you don’t have to leave your children out of it. For the most part, children, mums and dads can all learn together and usually the children take to scuba diving very quickly and get the hang of it quicker than mum and dad.
A Few Tips to Help You on Your Way
Apart from DSD, all PADI courses require some self study. You can get a foot in the door by either buying a PADI open water manual from your local dive school and completing the knowledge reviews inside before you leave for your holiday. Or when you arrive in Tobago, I can drop one at your hotel and you can begin reading it by the pool or on the beach for a day or two before starting the course proper.
If you’re really keen and can’t wait or will only be on holiday for one week then consider a ‘Referral’. Head for your local dive school where you can complete the academics and swimming pool skills. Your instructor will provide you with documents to bring to Tobago where you’ll make the actual scuba dives in Tobago’s warmer Caribbean waters. It will mean you can get straight into the diving and is most useful if your planned holiday is only for one week.
Don’t miss out on the experience of a lifetime, be sure to plan your schedule and consider doing your dive course at the beginning of your holiday. The majority of new divers find they want to continue diving after their course, some even undertake the PADI Advanced Course, so be prepared for this and plan a couple of days toward the end which you may wish to keep free for additional diving.
Think you’ll make only the one ‘Try Dive’? Well be prepared for the fact that over 80% of those who do a try dive are so captivated by diving they go on to complete an Open Water Course. If you’re going to be one of them, maybe you want to do your try dive at the beginning of your holiday…. Just in case.
It’s a lot of fun learning to dive and you’ll be able to enjoy the 70 % of the world’s surface that only 1% of the population get to explore. If you have any more questions please don’t hesitate to email me.
See you soon.
Stuart
Open Water | Advanced | Resue | Spec & DM | Scuba 101
