10 Scuba Diving Training Tips

Ready to "take the plunge" and get 10 SCUBA diving training tips? You're in luck. SCUBA training is fast, fun, and a great challenge that offers a terrific sense of accomplishment. Here are your 10 SCUBA diving training tips.

1.  Research. Part of what you're doing now, really. Look up various locations around you and what agencies operate in the area. PADI and NAUI are good choices, but each has a slightly different way of doing things. Check around and see what's right for you. Also make sure you meet the physical requirements for each agency.
2. You Get What You Pay For. You might think you've found a great deal with a $150 training course, but it may be a SCUBA farm that cranks out dozens of students every few days with little personal attention . Talk to the owner, meet some of the instructors, and make sure the shop is the right fit for you. If something feels off, find somewhere else. It's better to be safe and spend a bit more money now than to be dead later from a bad trainer!
3. Be Cautious of Purchase Requirements. Some places require you to buy your own wetsuit, fins, mask, snorkel, and weights. This can add up to over $1,000 pretty easily. Other places give you absolutely everything you need (with the exception of a bathing suit!). It really is no fun to spend hundreds on equipment just to realize that SCUBA isn't for you. Alternatively...
4. Buy from the Store. If you're getting a good vibe, try to buy from the dive shop. Most will give good discounts to students, and you can almost always try before you buy, unlike online purchases. Additionally, many stores will give you a heavy discount for any future repairs if you bought the equipment from that store!
5. Get in Shape. SCUBA works you in a way that you've probably never experienced. It's one of the only sports in the world where the goal is to relax as much as possible. You need to get your breathing under control and make sure you're limber and in shape. Try picking up running or biking for a few weeks before your first lesson, and you'll be a very happy diver! SCUBA is terrific exercise, but it's good to pre-condition before you get in the water.
6. Be friendly. SCUBA tends to be a fairly expensive hobby, which means that most people who are involved have terrific back stories. It's a great way to network and find new friends. The learning process is much more fun when everybody knows each other and can help each other learn!
7. Budget. Speaking of being an expensive hobby, make sure you have enough money to get through the entire process. Your Open Water certification can cost upwards of $400, and it might not all be charged at once, so make sure you know what you're getting in to.
8. Get wet! Be comfortable while learning. Ask lots of questions, and be sure to ask to try anything multiple times. It's better to spend extra time in the pool than to fly through it and not spend enough time. Don't do anything that you don't feel safe doing. If you need more time on fundamentals, speak up! Instructors are very experienced and have seen a huge range of people learn. They'll understand how important it is to get comfortable in the water.
9. Study. There are books and DVDs that you have to study throughout your training. Read the books, watch the DVDs. Twice, preferably! They're a great way to support things you're learning and brush up on skills.
10. Continue! Just because you have your first license doesn't mean you're done training. There are dozens of levels of training, and each one helps you get more comfortable in the water and have more fun while exploring. Try Advanced Open Water Diver or Rescue Diver for especially fun and challenging activities!