Are you in search of a simple guide to all you need to know about becoming a certified scuba diver? Look no further for this is it! If you want to make a hobby out of exploring the wonders of the underwater world or simply just try out the sport, join us as we break down everything you need to know each step of the way! Let’s dive in.

The Bubble Maker

This short 1-day course is made for the kids who love swimming and the ocean. It is a mini pool dive for children which consists of a brief explanation of equipment and breathing rules, and then a confined dive session in a pool of up to 2 meters in depth. Kids can play with underwater toy-pedoes and enjoy swimming and breathing underwater!

Requirements: At least 8 years old.

Discover Scuba Diving

This is the 8+ equivalent of a Bubble Maker. Discover Scuba Diving or DSD programs are made for those who want to try scuba diving but are unsure about committing to a full certification course. A DSD consists of a brief introduction to scuba diving. In one day, you can learn the basics about diving equipment, equalising, breathing rules, simple underwater hand signals for communication, and a few essential diving skills. These skills are practised in a pool session with your instructor, and are followed by one or two ocean dives with a maximum depth of 12 meters.

Requirements: At least 10 years old.

Open Water Diver

If you enjoyed your DSD or are committed to becoming a certified recreational scuba diver, then the Open Water Diver course is for you! This 3-day course includes knowledge development of dive equipment, dive theory, and safety practices, which are all discussed and tested with quizzes and a final exam.

You will also join confined water sessions where your instructor will teach you essential scuba diving skills, which you will then put to practice and demonstrate in four open ocean dives. During these dives, you will also get the chance to explore dive sites and appreciate the natural beauty of the spectacular underwater world!

At the end of this course, you will be certified to dive up to 18 meters deep (10 to 11-year-olds allowed to a maximum depth of 12 meters) in open water!

Requirements: At least 10 years old.

Advanced Open Water Diver

If you want to learn more about niches in scuba diving, or simply get certified to dive deeper, then the Advanced Open Water course is your go-to. With minor and fun theory sessions, most learning will be done at sea in open water dives. You will be required to complete 5 dives, with each one focussing on a specific kind of ‘Adventure’. Two adventure dives that you are required to complete include the deep dive and the navigation dive. These will teach you about the differences and impacts of diving up to 30 meters, and the techniques of search patterns and using a compass underwater. The other three adventure dives are chosen by you. What is offered depends on your chosen dive school. These can include a fish identification adventure dive, night dive, or wreck dive amongst many others. In just 2 days, you can become a certified Advanced  Open Water Diver, with the ability to dive to depths of up to 30 meters (18 meters for 10 to 11-year-olds, 21 meters for 12 to 14-year-olds), and a deepened understanding of recreational scuba diving.

Requirements: Completed the Open Water Diver course.

Rescue Diver

The next stage of recreational scuba diving is the Rescue Diver Course. For those who want to learn more about safety diving, this course teaches you all about first aid care and emergency responses in and out of the water. Over three days, you will undergo knowledge development sessions, learn and demonstrate rescue diving skills in confined and open water, and create an emergency assistance plan for a dive shop or site. At the end of this course, you will be certified and equipped with the appropriate knowledge to aid someone in a scuba diving emergency.

Requirements: Completed the Advanced Open Water Diver Course, and at least 12 years old.

With constant room for growth and learning, these primary certifications only grace the surface of courses that you can take as recreational scuba divers! Pick up your mask and fins and join the underwater community in becoming a certified scuba diver today!

Written by Kayli Wouters

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