How to get scuba certified for free.
When looking to scuba dive, the whole process may be daunting—between the locations, the cost of equipment, the cost of certification, and the time commitment. How do you keep costs low when getting certified?
How can I get scuba certified for free?
There is no completely free way to get certified, as most programs cost between $200 and $500, but you can save money. Prices can be kept low by looking for a local dive shop providing classes, buying your own scuba gear instead of renting it, and looking for coursework textbooks online. Organizations such as Scuba Schools International can provide free online training, while some centers offer an internship program for free scuba certification.
Before you get started, what qualifies as scuba certification? How do you learn to dive? What do you need before you dive? Read on to find out more.
What is a scuba certification?
When you’re looking to get your scuba diving certification, what you’re looking for is getting open water certification. PADI, or the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, is the organization that provides this open water certification—you’ll be able to dive at least 60 feet below the surface.
While you do not have to get the open water certification, you can receive some education through the PADI Scuba Diver course. This isn’t necessarily certification, and you can only dive with a PADI-certified professional, but it is an additional step towards getting your certification. This training is shorter and leaves out some of the more challenging steps.
Regardless of what organization you seek your certification from, some sort of scuba certification is required before you do any scuba diving.
How do I learn to scuba dive?
Before you can become certified at all, you must learn how to scuba dive. The Professional Association of Diving Instructors website outlines the process in several simple steps. First, you must learn the basic principles of scuba diving—like how to plan a dive, how to choose the right gear, how to signal underwater, and how to dive. Once you learn the information in this phase of the certification process, you will take a final exam.
Many of the textbooks and information used for these tests are included online. For PADI and other organizations, once you pick where you are going to get your certification from, you can usually find their textbooks online or they are provided digitally.
After the exam, you will start doing what is called “confined water dives.” Usually, in a pool or a calm body of water, you will be able to get familiar with your gear and learn how to set it up, get water out of your mask, enter and exit the water, control your buoyancy, learn how to navigate underwater, and how to stay safe during the whole process.
After this, you’ll start doing open water dives. For the Professional Association of Diving Instructors certification, you’ll make four dives over a span of two days. Others will have you do five dives over several days.
You can do these dives nearby, or if you choose to do it on vacation, your instructor can set you up with another one to monitor your dives in your vacation destination.
What are the requirements for learning how to scuba dive?
In order to get your scuba certification, there are certain requirements that need to be met. To become PADI certified, you must be over ten years old in most areas. People under 15 years old can receive a junior certification, which can be upgraded when they reach the age of 15.
Before you go through the open water diver course set by PADI, you will have to prove that you can swim a certain length without stopping.
Certification also requires you to complete a medical questionnaire from many organizations.
What gear do I need to scuba dive?
One way to reduce the price of your scuba certification is owning your own gear. Before you start scuba diving, you’ll need your own mask, snorkel, and fins, but if you want to save money on your certification, you should invest in your own set of equipment like a regulator, buoyance control device, scuba tank, weight system, wetsuit or dry suit, and dive computer.
Having your own scuba gear—and having it before you even start certification—means you can get comfortable using gear that you have purchased specifically for yourself and fitted to you. You will also find it easier to go diving if you have your own set.
How long can you stay underwater with a scuba tank? Find out here.
How do I keep costs low?
Considering that most scuba diving certification programs are $200 to over a thousand, not including a textbook, it’s in your best interest to search for something economical.
Some certification programs allow you to rent gear within the price, so look for that when searching for a class. Textbooks can run high for certain certifications, much like the PADI. Some information and textbooks are provided online or talk to your local dive shop. Sometimes they have that information on hand.
Scuba Schools International provides free online training before you head out into the water. While not a free certification, it can get you through some of the technical information prior to seeking out an accrediting organization.
Another cost you will have to incur at some point is buying your own equipment. Here, you may be spending $200 to $250 for the basics or up to $1,000 if you’re looking to get the whole set of scuba gear. North American Divers provides your complete certification, books, half your tuition for the PADI’s advanced scuba diver certification, and other benefits if you purchase your own diving equipment before your class.
In order to keep your costs low, try looking for a local dive shop providing scuba courses. Sometimes, they will provide specials, like a free scuba course, or introductory prices that will help keep the cost down. Consider the time of year as well—depending on your location, the prices may drop during times of low tourism.
Also, consider looking into whether your local dive center provides an internship—you can complete work at the center in exchange for your certification. Dressel Divers offers such an internship, allowing you to learn to become a divemaster and eventually an instructor. These internships are available in Riviera Maya, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic. They are accepting applications from comfortable swimmers with no medical issues who are 18 or older.
While scuba diving certification may not be free, you can still find your way through the lessons and certification at a lower cost. Do your research in your area and plan ahead to find the right instructor for you; find your own equipment, and search for the information online, and you’ll be well on your way to diving into those clear blue waters on a budget.
RELATED QUESTIONS
How long can you keep air inside a scuba tank?
Air is filtered in scuba tanks and should theoretically never go bad if the scuba tank is properly cared for and maintained. Because of that possibility of mechanical failure, you should check your tank if it has been stored for a longer period of time.
How long does the certification last once I get it?
Once obtained, your scuba certification lasts for life. You will not need to take any other training, although you can search for additional training if you so wish.
How long does it take to get scuba certified?
Because of the need for open water for scuba certification, it can take as long as you need. As long as you take the required courses and complete the required dives, you will be scuba certified. Depending on how long it takes you to complete the classroom portion, you can do the practical part in less than a week.
Please note: This blog post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Please consult a legal expert or medical professional to address your specific needs.