If you are considering entering the world of scuba diving, many questions will come to mind.  This section attempts to answer the most common questions we have encountered from individuals learning to dive at Sand-n-Sea Scuba Diving Center.  This document is intended to answer basic questions and help with your curiosity about taking the first steps in becoming a certified scuba diver.  If you have more questions, please don't hesitate to ask the experts here at Sand-n-Sea.  We're here to make diving a safe and fun experience for everyone.

Is learning to dive difficult?

No, it's probably easier than you imagine -- especially if you're already comfortable in the water. PADI's entry-level course consists of pool diving, knowledge development and open water dives. The course is performance based, meaning that you progress as you learn and demonstrate knowledge and skill.  The experienced instructors at Sand-n-Sea Scuba Diving Center will work with you to master your in water skills.  The first step is to sign up for the PADI Open Water Diver Course.

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. Because some learn faster than others, course duration varies. The PADI Open Water Diver course can be completed in as little as three days.  Check out Sand-n-Sea Scuba Diving Center's PADI Open Water Diver Course.

How old do I have to be to become a certified diver?

You must be at least ten years old to 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 meters/40 feet. 12 to 14 year olds must dive with a certified adult. At age 15, the Junior certification upgrades to a regular Open Water Diver certification.

Is there an upper age limit for scuba divers?

There is no upper age limit on learning to scuba dive. Certain conditions my preclude those of any age from diving, temporarily or permanently, especially conditions associated with lung functions. As long as you maintain relatively good physical and mental conditioning, it’s never to late to learn scuba diving.  May divers continue into their 70’s and 80’s.

Are there any special qualifications or considerations to participate in a scuba class?

No. Generally speaking, anyone in good average health and at least 10 years old can participate. You will, however, complete a medical questionnaire. If anything on the questionnaire indicates a reason to be cautious about diving, you'll need check with a physician to make sure you can dive.

Do I have to be a great swimmer to be certified as a PADI Open Water Diver?

No. You need to be a reasonably proficient swimmer and comfortable in the water. You must swim 200 meters/200 yards nonstop, without a time or specific stroke requirement or a 300 meter/yard swim with mask, fins and snorkel. You'll also perform a 10 minute tread/float.

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 experience allows you to make a shallow scuba dive supervised by a PADI Professional after a short pool session. This usually takes a few hours. Or, you can try the PADI Discover Scuba experience that lets you try scuba in a swimming pool.  Check out Sand-n-Sea Scuba Diving Center's scheduled Discover Scuba Diving classes.

Is scuba diving expensive?

What equipment do I need before I take scuba lessons?

We ask that you provide your own mask, fins, and snorkel.  If you need equipment, Sand-n-Sea Scuba Diving Center can help you select quality equipment that fits properly and works within your budget. Most scuba equipment is very durable, so you won't have to replace it often.

What do you see down there?

A whole new world of incredible sights awaits the scuba diver, no matter what the underwater environment – fresh or salt water; tropical or cold water, ocean, quarry, lake or river. It shouldn’t be hard to envision yourself gliding effortlessly through a crystal clear tropical ocean, marveling at rainbow-colored fishes flitting about a vibrant coral reef. You have already been treated to underwater scenes such as this on TV, in movies or perhaps a friend’s underwater video or pictures. You may have even caught a glimpse of this while snorkeling in Florida, Hawaii, or the Caribbean. 

In each underwater setting there is more to see then the fish, corals and other water animals such as crabs, lobsters and shrimp. In warm water there are many different types of reef animals such as Christmas tree worms and an amazing array of corals, in colder waters such as in Ohio there are interesting fish, freshwater plants, and some of the best preserved fresh water wrecks in the world.

Where can we travel once we’re certified?

Scuba diving vacations are available to suit every budget, from weekends in bunkhouse accommodations with shore diving, to luxury dive resorts in exotic locations. The price of airfare is a major factor in considering vacations to faraway destinations, whether it’s for sightseeing or diving, or a combination of both. Live-aboard dive boats offer the opportunity to visit remote dive destination s and do as much or little diving you desire for an all inclusive price.  Check out Sand-n-Sea Scuba Diving Center's Travel page for upcoming instructor lead trips.

What's in a scuba tank? Oxygen?

Recreational divers breathe air, not oxygen. The air in a scuba tank is like the air you're breathing but is also filtered to remove impurities.

How long does a tank of air last?

Since people breathe at different rates and as you go deeper you consume air faster, there isn't any one answer. Because of this, divers carry a gauge that lets them know how much air is in the tank. However, divers in calm, warm water from 15-30 feet can spend about one hour underwater with an average tank.

My ears hurt when I dive to the bottom of a pool. Won't they hurt when I scuba dive?

Your ears hurt because of the water pressure on your eardrum. In your scuba course, you'll learn simple techniques to equalize your ears to the surrounding pressure, much like you do when you land in an airplane.

In the movies and on TV, divers are always running into sharks or eels. Should I be concerned about marine animals?

Most aquatic animals are passive or timid. A few do bite or sting, but you can avoid these by not touching them. Divers aren't natural prey for sharks and therefore shark attacks are rare.  Many scuba divers actually seek out shark encounters. The Galapagos Islands of Ecuador, Cocos Island off of Costa Rica and Flower Garden Banks in the Gulf of Mexico are popular destinations for diving with schooling hammerheads.

Is scuba diving dangerous?

No, but there are potential hazards, which is why you need proper training and certification.

I need vision correction. Is that a problem?

No. Wearing soft contact lenses shouldn't be a problem while you dive. However, if you wear hard contacts, you'll want to dive with gas permeable lenses. See your eye doctor for more information. Another option is to have prescription lenses put into your mask.  The experts at Sand-n-Sea Scuba Diving Center can help you select the perfect mask for prescription lenses and have the lenses custom made for your favorite mask.  Just bring your prescription with you and we'll take care of the rest.

I want to learn about PADI; what is PADI?

PADI is the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, the largest scuba certification organization in the world. PADI develops scuba programs and diver training products, monitors scuba training conducted by more than 100,000 PADI Professionals worldwide, maintains diver certification records and issues your diver certification credentials. In addition, PADI maintains various support services for PADI Dive Centers and Resorts. Since its inception in 1966 PADI has grown to have members in more than 175 countries and territories and international service offices in nine countries. Approximately seven out of ten North American divers are certified by PADI, and approximately 55 percent of all divers worldwide are certified by PADI.