Get Scuba Certified: Everything You Need to Know

You are considering becoming a certified scuba diver. Congratulations! Let’s consider how to get scuba certified.

Getting your scuba diving certification will allow you to go scuba diving whenever you want in a totally autonomous way, and that’s always a good idea.

Anyone who has tried scuba diving knows that it is stunning. The way you feel everything… Floating weightless surrounded by fish in a peaceful environment is relaxing and, at the same time, a bomb of sensations. That’s why more and more people want to get their certification for scuba diving.

1. Can I Scuba Dive Without Certification? Do I Really Need a Scuba Certificate?

If you are interested in getting scuba certified, probably, you have already done a Discover Scuba Diver Program.

You will have dived hand in hand with an instructor (perhaps literally) and at a shallow depth.

You probably have already tasted the scuba diving flavor, and that is why you are coming back for more.

Of course, you can scuba dive without certification, but only on a trial basis and under supervision as you did that time. Now, you should bet on it all and get scuba certified.

Because it was a great idea, there is an incredible underwater world to discover, and you will not be able to do it freely without getting scuba certified. If you did not get a certification for scuba diving, you will need to do a DSD every time you want to scuba.

But also, because as a certified scuba diver, you will be able to:

– Dive safely:  Open Water Diver is the minimum qualification for the safe and autonomous practice of scuba;

– Dive with a buddy independently: you will be able to dive with another open water diver as a dive buddy and you will not need an instructor or Divemaster;

– Get more value for your money. A dive is cheaper than a Discover Scuba Diver DSD program;

– Dive wherever the action is. As a certified diver, you do not need an instructor. So, you can scuba dive wherever you want. If you want to scuba with a dive center, they will ask you if you got scuba certified. No scuba center will allow you to dive to 18 meters / 60 feet, dive with bull sharks, do wreck diving, or practice cenote diving if you cannot prove you are a certified scuba diver.

–  Be a certified scuba diver forever. The certification has no expiration date. It’s for life.

2. How To Get Certified in Scuba Diving?

There are different agencies to get your certification for scuba diving. Among the best known are SDI, PADI, SSI, NAUI, CMAS, but you can take the course with many others.

Some of the organizations are larger and more experienced. Others have better-known teaching methods.

Of all of them, PADI diving certifications are the best-known, and you can find centers all over the world. SDI is another international certification and a great option that ensure good scuba diving training. Click here If you are interested in knowing more about these scuba diving certification agencies

Make your decision without haste. You can be sure you will have the same minimum knowledge as any other certified diver who has gotten his scuba diving license with another agency. This is so because there are minimum quality standards set by the World Recreational Scuba Training Council (WRSTC).

3. Scuba Certification Requirements

Whichever agency you choose, you must attest to your physical condition. In some countries, it is enough to fill out a medical questionnaire. In others, the law requires that you present a medical certificate that ensures that you can dive.

• Minimum age to get scuba certified. A person can get Open Water certified as young as 8 years old. There is no other scuba diver training age restriction.
• Gear To Get Scuba Diving Certified. Many people talk about buying diving gear to get scuba certified. Others say it is better to rent it. The truth is that the equipment needed to get scuba diving certified is included in the price. Once you are a certified diver, you decide whether to buy or rent

4. Getting Scuba Certified

The PADI dive certification and SDI Open Water course has two parts. The first of the steps to getting scuba certified is to finish the theoretical part. You can learn scuba diving easily online in your home or at the dive center.

To get your scuba certification you have to do a practical second part. It usually lasts between 3 or 4 days, and it consists of:

1. Diving in confined waters. Generally, in a pool or in a bay that meets very similar conditions. There, you will learn base diving skills.
2. Open water dives. This consists of 4 dives you will do, over at least two days. It is not possible to do more than three dives in a single day at this level.

Getting scuba certified, you will use the skills you have just learned during these dives, and you will not exceed 18 meters / 60 feet in depth during the scuba diving training.

By getting scuba certified you will have learned some diving lessons:

• How the human body reacts under pressure and what you must do to avoid accidents.
• Safety maneuvers under water.
• Basic scuba diving equipment and how it works
• Plan a dive.
• Control buoyancy
• Express yourself with hand signs.

At the end of your course, you will receive a scuba diving license or card that never expires and that you can show around the world.

5. Get Scuba Certified Near Me or Not: Where to Get Certified?

It depends.

If the cost to get scuba certified is different if you learn scuba diving near you or abroad.

There are destinations with amazing prices to get your scuba certifications. However, if your only purpose is to get scuba diving certified and not travel at all. It is better to do your scuba diving training near you although it means more expensive prices.

But if you will get scuba certified on vacation you can save money following these steps:

1. Contact an operator as Dressel Divers
2. E-learning for the academic part at home to save time.
3. Getting Scuba Certified in Mexico or in another part of the Caribbean

The best place to get scuba certified in the Caribbean is, definitely, a Dressel Divers dive center.

Our diving school have been helping new students to get scuba diving certified since 1994 in a fun, professional, and safe way.

More than 28 years of experience teaching dive courses in the Caribbean means “Over 100,000 certified divers of all levels and counting”

6. How Much Does It Cost to Get Certified?

You can get Open Water Certified with Dressel Divers from $550*.

The course includes the use of dive equipment, your study materials, 5 theory modules with video, 5 pool modules and 4 boat dives.

Included in the price of the diving course is the so-called “Crew Pack” which consists of:

– student file;

– logbook,

– Digital PIC of the certifying agency of your choice and access to the digital services of the same;

– the scuba diving license cost, issuance, and shipment of your certification card to your home,

– photos for certification.

• Cheapest Way to Get Scuba Certified

GET A 20% DISCOUNT on the scuba diving certification cost by booking online.

*The scuba diving certification price given is the Open Water Course in Bayahibe or Punta Cana.

** The scuba diving certification cost given is dated March 25, 2022. Over time, this price can vary, Check with Dressel Divers for scuba diving certification cost updates!

The price varies depending on the Caribbean location and the agency you hire. If you want to know how much a PADI course is or how much an SDI diving license cost in the Caribbean (Mexico, Dominican Republic, or Jamaica) or the Balearic Islands (Spain), contact us. We will be delighted to help you get scuba certified.

7. After Becoming a Certified Scuba Diver

By obtaining your scuba license you will be able to descend to 18 meters / 60 feet and gain experience to increase the depth. Of course, without exceeding the limits imposed by recreational diving. In other words. You will be able to:

– explore wonderful coral reefs like those of Cozumel;
– perform night dives;
– know sunken wrecks;
– Dive in caves like the wonderful cenotes of the Riviera Maya;
– dive with bull sharks in Playa del Carmen
– Live experiences diving from liveaboard cruises