April 19th, 2010 | 
Author: Whаt іѕ іt going tο cost mе tο ѕtаrt SCUBA diving. Whаt equipment ѕhουld I bυу, οr whісh certifications ѕhουld I gеt first аnd whаt wіll аll thіѕ cost mе?
Whаt іѕ іt going tο cost mе tο ѕtаrt SCUBA diving. Whаt equipment ѕhουld I bυу, οr whісh certifications ѕhουld I gеt first аnd whаt wіll аll thіѕ cost mе?
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As much as possible!!
I reckon you’ll find that out in the class that you need to take before you can dive. I reckon it’s a 1-2 hundred dollars for the course. The equipment is expensive; if you plot on going a lot, it’s probably ok to invest in your own wetsuit, mask, snorkel, fins, and gloves (optional).
But you need the course to get scuba certified.
Talk to your instructor about prices and requirements. You will probably only need to buy a mask, snorkel, and fins, but question what types they recommend. It’s been 35 years since I was was certified, so, sorry, I do not know what it will cost you now. Just contact a couple local dive shops…they will be pleased to tell you.
Beginning Scuba lessons should cost $150-200 for a basic open water certification. Two certifying agencies are NAUI and PADI and both are excellent certificates recognized world wide. Take your classes with rented equipment to find out what you like and more about what is out there before export.
SCUBA is the best regulated sport in the US. with excellent reason. They will tell your which courses to take and what equipment you need.
Yeah; what they said. The course you should get is the “open water certification.” It’s really an access level course geared to a total beginner and will address all your concerns. In the meantime, you might want to get the “basic gear package” of mask, snorkel, booties, and fins and start snorkeling or play around with the stuff in the deep end of a swimming pool; that will get your lower body used to handling fins.
1. Costs?
The cost varies by region and country. For example, in the Bay Area, Open Water (OW) certification averages $200. In Hawaii, it’s $475. In Mexico, it’s $350.
When looking at courses, you have to calculate the entire cost of the course. Some Local Dive Shops (LDS) offer a lower price to get you owing to the door, but there are add’l costs that are not advertised. The lower prices will just be the tuition.
Full Costs include
1. Tuition
2. Books and materials
3. Gear/tank rental
4. Gear buy
5. Boat fees/park fees
2. What equipment should you buy?
You should buy as small as possible. A lot of LDS require you to buy “personal gear” which is masks, snorkel, boots, fins, and gloves (if you are in cold water). But, some LDS will rent you all the above too.
The only equipment that I believe will truly make OW certification simpler is a proper decent mask. A leaking or fogging mask will decrease enjoyment and increase stress levels significantly. Reckon of driving in the rain without your windshield wiper – no simple.
Everything else you should try to hold off until 1) you know you like diving and 2) you are more familiar with diving. First off, you don’t even know if you will take pleasure in diving and are able to do it. Perhaps you have equalization issues and cannot really dive. If you had bought all your gear, that’ll be thousands of dollars wasted. Second, your diving will change over time. What looks excellent now will not be the same after you have 10 dives or 20 dives or 100 dives. In addendum, what fits or looks excellent on land may not go to your preference in the water.
Rent as much as possible.
3. What certification?
You will want Open Water certification (OW). You will hear PADI or NAUI or SSI, but these are just agencies. They all provide OW certification.
Make sure you can swim in a pool for a long time, make sure that you are cool for long periods under water, that your not frightened of forceful/enclosed spaces, and that you are cool arounf nature. Other then that just try it you will know instantly!