Learn how to Scuba Dive for Adventure Travel which can open up a whole new world. ย Most of all, find tranquility and peace while diving underwater.ย  Swim withย amazing sea life, take amazing photos and this is the ultimate travel adventure!

 

How to Scuba Dive for Adventure Travel - 1AdventureTraveler

I did not start out adventurous, but found how exhilarating and liberating it is to scuba dive.ย  There are a few different ways to learn to scuba dive and a few different types of programs.ย  My goal is to give you the inโ€™s and outโ€™s and what to expect while learning to scuba dive plus some great tips.

How to Scuba Dive for AdventureTravel - 1AdventureTraveler

Rare sighting of a Mandarin Fish in Indonesia diving with Wakatobi Dive Resort

Different Programs โ€“ Scuba Dive

  • PADIย  –ย  Professional Association of Diving Instructors

Based in the US and is the most recognized dive certification agency in the world.ย  There are many PADI centers in the world located at one of the dive destinations.

  • NAUI โ€“ National Association of Underwater Instructors

Based in the US and one of the oldest scuba certification agencies.ย  Courses are very similar to PADI and SSI.

  • BSAC –ย  British Sub Aqua Club

Based in the United Kingdom is the largest dive club in the world.

  • CMAS โ€“ Confederation Mondiale des Activities Subaquatiques/ The World Underwater Federation.ย 

Based in France ย reflects the full range of European and world diving standards.

  • SSIย  – Scuba Schools International

Based in the US with centers around the globe.ย  SSI is a retail based organization.

  • I used PADI programs and it is accepted worldwide at all resorts. ย In order to dive you must are either take a course, or have passed a training program and must show your dive card.ย  Otherwise they will not let you dive.
How to Scuba Dive for AdventureTravel - 1AdventureTraveler

Nudibranch in the waters of Puerto Galera, Sabah Philippines.

How to Learn to Scuba Dive

  • Online

The online training program lets you study at your own pace.ย  You can study when its convenient for you.ย  Once you have finished and passed the exams your ready for the next step.

  • Dive Shop

You will sit in a classroom with a book with others.ย  Lectures and reading the manual from the Instructor.ย  Taking tests and in between finishing your course in the water with bench mark requirements to pass.ย  You are also paired up with a buddy.

How to Scuba Dive for AdventureTravel - 1AdventureTraveler

Nudibranch in the waters of Puerto Galera, Sabah Philippines.

Learn the Equipment – ย Scuba Dive

With the PADI Open water course you will learn how to use basic scuba gear.ย  This includes; mask, snorkel, fins, regulator, buoyancy control device and a tank.ย  Equipment is different depending if your diving in cold water or warm tropical waters.

How to Scuba Dive for AdventureTravel - 1AdventureTraveler

My personal Diving Equipment on the Mermaid Boat at Puerto Galera , Sabah Philippines

Equipment is usually provided or rented from the resort or facility.ย  Some equipment is good to purchase on your own. ย A good place to start is to have your own mask and dry snorkel. ย Then go from there.

How to Scuba Dive for AdventureTravel - 1AdventureTravele

Kissable fish startled in the coral. Puerto Galera, Sabah Philippines

Pool Training โ€“ Learn to Scuba Dive

Once you know your equipment now it is time for pool, ocean or lake training.ย  Usually in a shallow area you will practice the techniques you learned while studying.ย  All your training dives will be logged and approved by your instructor.ย  Once that is done you can move on to Open Water.

How to Scuba Dive for AdventureTravel - 1AdventureTravele

Mermaid Dive Sites in Puerto Galera, Sabah Philippines.

This can be a little intimidating especially clearing the mask.ย  It is hard when the mask comes off and the cold water hits your face.ย  Keep practicing and you will get through it.

How to Scuba Dive for AdventureTravel - 1AdventureTraveler

Mermaid Dive Boat at Puerto Galera, Sabah Philippines.

Open Water Training โ€“ Learn to Scuba Dive

Here comes the fun of open water diving.ย  Here you will dive with a buddy, doing buddy checks before your dives and experience a whole new world.ย  Once your open water training dives are approved by your dive instructor you will be a certified Scuba Diver.ย  You will have an PADI Open Water Diver Certification and can dive anywhere in the world.

How to Scuba Dive for AdventureTravel - 1AdventureTravele

Clown Fish in Indonesia with the Wakatobi Dive Resort

Other – ย Scuba Dive

I learned how to Scuba Dive at the Utila Dive Resort in the Bay Islands in theย Caribbean close to Roatan. ย My underwater skills were done in the shallow ocean therefore was only was able to open water dive once the requirements have all be completed.

How to Scuba Dive for AdventureTravel - 1AdventureTravele

Diving in a school of fish. ย Light Stobes were not working so sorry for the blue color. ย Water also a little murky.

With the opportunity to learn to scuba dive I was so scarred and afraid to remove my mask underwater in the ocean.ย  Salt water stings when the eyes are open.ย  I remember just the instructor and myself in the shallow ocean and all other divers on the boat.ย  He said you have to do this one skill of removing my mask or you well not dive.ย  I did not want to look weak, I stepped up to the plate, did my requirement as Mr. 1AdventureTraveler and other divers watched on.ย  Yea! I did this now I am ready to dive and I am fearless.

How to Scuba Dive for AdventureTravel - 1AdventureTravele

Gobi Fish on a whip in Indonesia with the Wakatobi Dive Resort

I logged lots of dives in the Caribbean on the Island of Roatan with friends.ย  Many days of shore diving to the 2nd largest ocean reef in the world.ย  I bought a dive computer and learned so much and my fear melted away.ย  Eventually, Mr 1AdventureTraveler and I did an online class for Diving with Nitrox.ย  This was great for having a longer bottom time and no after effects of diving with O2.ย  Worked well diving with Nitrox at Wakatobi while diving 3-4 dives a day for 14 days and had no feeling of exhaustion just euphoria. ย The reef at Wakatobi is so pristine and worth the extra time underwater.

How to Scuba Dive for AdventureTravel - 1AdventureTravele

Clown Fish in Indonesia with Wakatobi Dive Resort

More Underwater Adventures – Scuba dive

Now I have dived many wonderful place. ย To see some great photos take a look at the articles at:ย  Puerta Galera Sabang Phillipines, Wakatobi Indonesia, Sipidan Boreno Malaysia, and Roatan in the Carribean. ย  Myย bucket list includes many dive locations. ย Plus learning how to take photos underwater which Mr. 1Adventure Traveler and I ย took classes in Wakatobi, for 1 week with Blue Water Photo. ย Tried out our new skill on the Live Aboard, Pegasus!

How to Scuba Dive for AdventureTravel - 1AdventureTravele

Beautiful Sunset on Roatan in the Caribbean.

Tips – Scuba Dive

  • Find a reputable dive school or resort to learn how to scuba dive.
  • PADI is known world wide and is a good program I recommend.
  • See the link provided to find an authorized location.
  • The underwater skills can be a little intimating, persevere and practice you will do well.
  • Therefore good to buy your own mask and snorkel since fit is important.
  • Finally, when diving at resorts expect to do an introductory dive with a Dive Master to demonstrate your skills.
  • DAN Insurance – is a good inexpensive medical insurance to have if you go on scuba diving trips. ย Since anย evacuation in case of an emergency is extremely costly DAN is good to have.
  • Take the time, learn to scuba dive and you will be at peace and see the most wonderful sea creatures underwater.

Life is short go out and have an adventure.

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How to Scuba Dive for AdventureTravel - 1AdventureTraveler

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