Quote:
Originally posted by cetacean
I would like to get into diving, how difficult is it to get certified?
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Basically, a class or two plus some cash and you're in if you are moderately comfortable in/around water.
Basic Open Water class is first step. Depending on the certifying agency (PADI, NAUI, SSI, YMCA are some of the bigger ones) the class consists of both classroom time (learning about the gear, the physics of what happens to gas under pressure, proper procedures, etc) and pool time (trying out the gear, practicing skills, gauging your comfort and fitness in the water). After successfully completing these, you go on to open water dives (typically four over a weekend). These OW dives can be held anywhere from lakes and quarries to the ocean and bays. On the OW dives you have to deal with some issues that you don't in the pool. Currents, waves, other divers, more equipment, etc all make it a bit more challenging.
Typically it costs $150 to $300 for the course, another $150 to $300 for the basic gear you will need to purchase, and then some rental charges for the OW dives and whatever admission fees/boat fees for the OW dives.