Just
the Facts
- I want to learn about scuba
diving. I've always wanted to learn to scuba dive. How do
I get started?
- Is it hard to learn to scuba
dive?
- How long does it take to
become a certified scuba diver?
- How old do you have to be
to become a certified diver?
- Do I have to meet any special
qualifications or considerations before I can participate
in a scuba class?
- Do I have to be a great swimmer
to be certified as a PADI Open Water Diver?
- Is scuba diving expensive?
- What equipment do I need
before I take scuba lessons?
- What's in a scuba tank?
Oxygen?
- How long does a tank of
air last?
- My ears hurt when I dive
to the bottom of a pool. Won't they hurt when I scuba dive?
- In the movies and on TV,
divers are always running into sharks or eels. Are marine
animals really much of a concern?
- Is scuba diving dangerous?
- I need vision correction.
Is that a problem?
- Scuba diving sounds exciting,
but I'm not sure if it's for me. Can I try it without signing
up for a course?
- How do I find out more
about diving or snorkeling?
I want to learn about
scuba diving.
I've always wanted to learn to scuba dive (or snorkel). How do I get started?
The best way is to visit Planet Scuba at Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur. Our friendly
dive instructors will be able to guide you towards your first stop in discovering
the underwater world.
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Is it hard to learn to scuba
dive?
No, in fact, it's probably easier than you imagine -- especially
if you're already comfortable in the water. PADI's entry-level
diver course is split
into knowledge development, confined water (pool) skill training and four scuba
training dives. The course is "performance based," which means that
you progress as you learn and demonstrate knowledge and skill.
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How long does it take to
become a certified scuba diver?
PADI courses are "performance based," which means that
you earn your certification when you demonstrate that you've
mastered the required skills
and knowledge. Some people learn faster than others, so how long it takes you
may vary. The PADI Open Water Diver course (beginning course) is typically
split into five or six sessions with tremendous flexibility. The course may
be scheduled over as little as three or four days, or as much as five or six
weeks, or something in between, depending upon student needs and logistics.
As a rule of thumb, most students complete their initial certification in three
or four weeks.
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How old do you have to be
to become a certified diver?
Ten years old. If you're between 10 and 15, you receive a Junior Open Water
Diver certification. 10 and 11 year old Junior Open Water Divers must dive
with a certified parent, guardian or PADI Professional to a maximum depth of
12 metres/40 feet. 12 to 14 year olds should dive with a certified adult. When
you turn 15, you can upgrade your Junior certification to a regular Open Water
Diver certification.
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Do I have to meet any special
qualifications or considerations before I can participate in
a scuba class?
No. Generally speaking, anyone in good average health and at least 10 years
old can participate. As a precaution, you'll be asked to complete a routine
medical questionnaire. If anything on the questionnaire indicates something
to be cautious about, you'll check with your physician to make sure it's acceptable
to dive.
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Do I have to be a great swimmer
to be certified as a PADI Open Water Diver?
No. All you need to be is a reasonably proficient swimmer who is comfortable
and relaxed in the water. The swimming requirement for certification is an
easy 183 metre/200 yard nonstop swim (with no time or specific stroke requirement)
or a 300 metre/yard snorkel with mask, fins and snorkel followed by a 10 minute
tread/float
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Is scuba diving expensive?
Not really. Like any hobby or recreation, you can invest a lot or a little,
depending upon your interest level. Because most dive centers and resorts
rent equipment, you can invest in equipment over time, renting what you don't
have until you make the investment. Besides distant dive destinations, you
probably have good diving not too far from where you live, so even travel
costs are flexible enough to accommodate even the tightest budget. To pick
an average, most people find the costs of scuba diving similar to those associated
with snow skiing.
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What equipment do I need
before I take scuba lessons?
Scuba courses vary in what equipment they provide, so it's best to check with
your instructor ahead of time. Generally speaking, though, you'll probably
want your own mask, snorkel and fins, which are all pieces of equipment that
are most comfortable when personally fitted. Planet Scuba can help you select
quality equipment that fits right and lasts.
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What's in a scuba tank? Oxygen?
Recreational divers breathe compressed air. It's filtered to remove impurities,
but otherwise, it's air like you're breathing now.
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How long does a tank of
air last?
This is a common question that, unfortunately, doesn't have a
single answer. People breathe at different rates, and you breathe
faster when you're swimming
than when you're resting. Also, the deeper you go, the faster you use your
air, and, you can get different size tanks. So, the answer is "it depends;" this
is why divers have a gauge that tell them how much air they have at all times.
As an approximation, though, a diver sightseeing in calm, warm water in the
5 metre/15 feet to 10 metre/30 feet range can expect the average tank to last
about an hour.
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My ears hurt when I dive
to the bottom of a pool. Won't they hurt when I scuba dive?
Your ears hurt because water pressure pushes in on your ear drum. In your scuba
course, you'll learn a simple technique to equalize your ears to the surrounding
pressure, much like you do when you land in an airplane, and they won't hurt
at all.
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In the movies and on TV,
divers are always running into sharks or eels. Are marine animals
really much of a concern?
Virtually all aquatic animals are passive or timid. There are a few that can
bite or sting defensively, but you can avoid these simply by watching where
you put your hands and feet, and by not touching any animal you don't recognize.
Divers aren't natural prey for sharks, so shark attacks are very rare -- more
people are injured each year from bee stings than shark attack.
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Is scuba diving dangerous?
Not really. Statistics show that recreational scuba diving is about as safe
as swimming. Certainly there are potential hazards -- which is why you need
training and certification -- but like driving a car, as long as you follow
the rules and use common sense, it's pretty safe.
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I need vision correction.
Is that a problem?
Not at all. If you wear soft contact lenses, you shouldn't have problems wearing
them when you dive. If you wear hard lenses, you'll want the gas permeable
type for diving. See your eye doctor about these if you don't have them now.
Another option is to have prescription lenses put into your mask.
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Scuba diving sounds exciting,
but I'm not sure if it's for me. Can I try it without signing
up for a course?
Absolutely. The PADI Discover Scuba Diving program allows you to make a shallow
scuba dive supervised by a PADI professional after a short pool session to
familiarize you with the equipment and some techniques. You can usually do
this in a few hours. There's also a program that lets you try scuba in a swimming
pool only. This takes even less time, and it's popular in places that may not
have an actual scuba diving site at hand.
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How do I find out
more about diving or snorkeling?
Visit Planet Scuba or call 603 22872822 for complete information about PADI
programs and how you can get started.
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