What's the difference between getting certified and learning to dive? Well, PADI certification courses start with a basic scuba diver certification that will allow you to dive with a professional. The next level is an Open Water Certification which allows you to dive unsupervised to a depth of 60 feet, get air fills and buy equipment including basic life supprt regulators and tanks. PADI offers a variety of advanced level diving couses, starting with a Advanced Open Water course that increases your depth level to 100 feet and from there you can participate in advanced courses for diving NITROX, Specialty Diving courses of all types, learn to help others in the Rescue course and learn the science of diving in the Divemaster course. Your scuba Instructor is the common thread for all scuba training, from basic to advanced levels.

Does the open water course prepere you to dive? We think it is a great beginning, but that if you want to learn about scuba diving and obtain the skill necessary to cope with situations that may arise on any given day you need to continue your education and training, In this aspect, the Open Water course is a beginning.

As a dive boat captian and scuba instructor I have seen many Open Water divers who were unprepared to dive because of a lack of experience, poor evaluation of the site conditions, weather, current and many other factors that they were unaware of, yet they got into the water anyway and got into trouble. Often the trouble is not life threating but sometimes it can be, and is. We all hear stories of the diver who was just plain lucky or had that one experience that caused him or her to quit scuba divng forever. Many will tell tales of dives as if it is a badge of courage to put yourself in life threating situations.

I think not! Scuba diving is about having fun and if we are unprepared fot the situations that can arise during a dive we are jeopardizing our life and the lifes of our fellow divers due to our ignorance and stupidity.

I believe there are two ways to gain the necessary experience and training to become a competent diver. Method number one is get certified and then go to make as many dives as you can, as often as you can learning from your mistakes so as to gain the experience and skills as a master diver. The second way is to get formal training that can make gaining the experience both fun and rewarding as you obtain the vaious levels of PADI advanced certifications.

The advancment of your diving skill and education by way of formal training has the following advantages:
You will be with a professional that understands your specific needs and can train you accordingly.

You will be in a safe and controlled environment learning with no distractions.
You can learn at your own pace. You will learn the correct way of executing skills and exercises. You will have veriifable training certification's accepted anywhere in the world to prove your diving skill level and experience.

You will have the confidence to dive anywhere you want, anytime you want to and the experience and knowledge to know when not to dive. Scuba diving will remain the premier sport in your life for many years of rewarding fun... Happy Diving!