March 9th, 2010 | 
Author: I аm going tο gο Scuba Diving fοr mу first time, аnd I’m going tο thе Fаntаѕtіс Barrier Reef. Hοw much dοеѕ іt cost tο gеt PADI certified? Hοw long dοеѕ іt take? Dο I need tο bυу equipment fοr training? And whіlе diving іn thе reef саn I wear a wet suit thаt οnlу goes down tο mу knees аnd elbows? Thanks
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Around the Chicago area the certification costs:
Pool and Class = $200 to $400 based on weeknight group class or private lessons.
Certification Dives = $200 (group) to $400 (private) plus tips, entrance fee, tank fills, food, etc.
Gear for Class = You’ll need to buy a mask, fins, boots, and snorkle for the class. These can run $300 to $800 (or more) depending on what you want.
The weeknight pool & classroom group class takes 5 weeknights. There is also a Sat/Sun class that takes about 10 hours each day. Private lessons are based on your schedule with the instructor.
For the certification dives, it will be two days. We typically do it on a Saturday and Sunday.
Whether or not you need a wetsuit is completely a personal choice. I use my 3mm fullsuit (with full part arms and legs) in water temperature up to 85F. I will wear a shortie if the temperature is about 85F. If you wear too much of a wetsuit, you can always let water in to help cool off; but, there is no warming up while underwater if you have too small of a wetsuit.
it coasts 200, plus whatever the shop charges, my shop coasts 250 altogether, not together with the open water dives, those were an extra 60 bucks, i got certified in the matter of a month or so, that all depends on how instant you grasp what they lecture you…and yes, as long as the weather is nice enough, with i believe it usually is, than a shorty will do fine..and the only equipment you need to buy is fins, a mask, boots, snorkel, and a wet suit
around were i live it can be like 112 american dollars
I know that some YMCA’s have scuba diving classes. So I would call your local YMCA.