FAQ’s
How do I learn to scuba dive?
Becoming a scuba diver is a wonderful adventure with Scuba Unlimited! Scuba certification includes three phases:
1. Knowledge Development - During the first phase of your scuba lessons, you'll learn the basic principles of scuba diving such as
2. Confined Water Dives - This is what it’s all about – diving. You'll develop basic scuba skills in a pool or in confined water
3. Open Water Dives - After your confined water dives, you'll head to open water, where you and your instructor will make four dives, usually over two days. On these dives you'll get to explore the underwater world. You'll apply the skills you learned in confined water while enjoying what the local environment has to offer.
What gear will I need to scuba dive?
Choosing and using your scuba gear is part of the fun of diving. When you start learning to scuba dive, as a minimum, you'll want your own: Mask, Snorkel, Fins. These have a personal fit, and your local PADI dive shop will help you choose gear with the best fit and features for you.
How do I find the best scuba gear?
There is no “best gear,” but there is the best gear for you. The dive professionals at Scuba Unlimited are trained to help you find scuba gear that best matches your preferences, fit and budget.
What are the requirements for learning to scuba dive?
The minimum age is 10 years old. Student divers who are younger than 15 earn the PADI Junior Open Water Diver certification, which they may upgrade to PADI Open Water Diver certification upon reaching 15.
All student divers complete a brief scuba medical questionnaire that asks about medical conditions that could be a problem while diving.
Swim 200 yards (or 300 yards in mask, fins and snorkel) without stopping. 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 you want.
Each diver must have a personal set of the PADI learning materials to use during the course and for reference after the course.
Do I have to be a good swimmer to scuba dive?
Some swimming ability is required. You need to have basic swim skills and be able to comfortably maintain yourself in the water.
My ears hurt when I go to the bottom of a swimming pool or when I dive down snorkeling. Will that prevent me from becoming a scuba diver?
No, assuming you have no irregularities in your ears and sinuses. The discomfort is the normal effect of water pressure pressing in on your ear drums. Fortunately, our bodies are designed to adjust for pressure changes in our ears – you just need to learn how. If you have no difficulties adjusting to air pressure during flying, you'll probably experience no problem learning to adjust to water pressure while diving.
Will a history of ear troubles, diabetes, asthma, allergies or smoking preclude someone from diving?
Not necessarily. Any condition that affects the ears, sinuses, respiratory or heart function, or may alter consciousness is a concern, but only a doctor can assess a person’s individual risk. Doctors can consult with the Divers Alert Network (DAN) as necessary when assessing fitness to dive.
What are the most common injuries or sicknesses associated with diving?
Sunburn, seasickness and dehydration, all of which are preventable, are the most common problems divers face. Injuries caused by marine life, such as scrapes and stings, do occur, but these can be avoided by wearing an exposure suit, staying off the bottom and watching where you put your hands and feet.
What about sharks?
When you’re lucky, you get to see a shark. Although incidents with sharks occur, they are 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 just passing through and a rare sight to enjoy.
Do women have any special concerns regarding diving?
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.
How deep do you go?
With the necessary training and experience, the limit for recreational scuba diving is 130 feet. Beginning scuba divers stay shallower than about 60 feet. Although these are the limits, some of the most popular diving is shallower than 40 feet, where the water’s warmer and the colors are brighter.
What happens if I use up all my air?
Your dive kit includes a gauge that displays how much air you have. You’ll learn to check it regularly, so it’s unlikely you’ll run out of air while scuba diving. However, if you run out of air, your buddy has an extra regulator (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.
What if I feel claustrophobic?
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 scuba diving training, your 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.
This is our equivalent of a reading room. On this page you will find notes and maps to make your diving experiences all the more memorable. Please download all you wish. If you have a map you would like to share with others please email it to us at info@2dive4.com.
Dive Sites & Dive Maps
Class Notes
Other Dive References
