Are you ready
for some real fun? Believe it or
not you will start SCUBA diving right away the first time you are in the pool.
We understand that people want to dive not do schoolwork so we try and make sure that your learning experience is fun and enjoyable. Our goal is to make you a diver that will have fun and that your SCUBA adventures are enjoyable, and most of all that you become a safe diver.
Learning to dive or “getting certified” starts with the Open Water Diver Program, which has two parts. The first, “Class and Pool” consists of some home study, classroom workshops and pool dives where you actually master your diving skills. When you complete the first part, you then take the second part, your Open Water Dives, where you cement your knowledge by completing four open water dives with an instructor.
Where do I learn to dive?
When you are ready to learn to dive you start by deciding where to learn. You want to select a Dive Center and Instructor that you feel comfortable with. Talk to the Dive Centers and ask questions. A Dive Center that has your interest in mind will be happy to explain their system to you.
A good place to start is one of the Dive Centers that belong to the Mid Atlantic Scuba Retailer’s Association (MASRA). These Dive Centers are all members of an internationally recognized certification program and they have all taken the time to insure that their programs are the best that are available. These Dive Centers are in business full time. This is not just a hobby for them but a way of life. Their involvement in MASRA shows that they care. MASRA members meet monthly to discuss ways to improve their programs and insure your safety and enjoyment.
As we said earlier, when you complete the Class and Pool Training you will need to complete four Open Water Dives. These are dives that are made in a body of water larger then a swimming pool, like a lake or the ocean. These dives are made under the direct supervision of an Instructor who makes sure that you are competent and comfortable enough to dive on your own. These dives can be done locally at a nearby lake or you can obtain a Letter of Referral from your Dive Center and complete them somewhere else.
Upon successful completion of the Open Water dives you are awarded your Certification or “C” Card. Now you are ready to start your SCUBA diving experiences.