Scuba diving is a wonderful way to find adventure and explore the world as it exists underwater. In fact, most of the world’s oceans are unexplored, and by obtaining a scuba certification, you can be one of the few people who gets to explore these amazing underwater depths. The popularity of scuba diving has even been on the rise in recent years. Each year in the United States, for instance, more than half a million people complete scuba training and obtain scuba certifications.
However, knowing just how to get scuba certified is not always clear. There are many different types of scuba certification and it is important to pick the one that is best for you. Deciding to obtain a certification itself is the first and most important step. Certifications are necessary because courses, particularly beginner diving courses, teach you how to be safe while diving. They also instruct you on the necessary practices to ensure that you are able to go diving with other individuals and appropriately communicate with the others, as well as remain safe. For example, of all diving related issues, more than three quarters of them deal with the head and neck. These problems, however, can be avoided with the proper training.
Next, it is important to compare the different types of scuba certifications. PADI and NAUI certifications are the most common in the United States, and are very similar. PADI stands for the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, which focuses on practical knowledge, safety and motor skills. Obtaining this certification means you will also learn about the science behind diving.
Certifications obtained through the National Association of Underwater Instructors, also have similar courses to PADI. NAUI began through the promotion of dive safety with education — and, by choosing between these certifications, you can’t go wrong. Obtaining a scuba certification is never easy, but is definitely worth the training process.
If you feel nervous about the dangers of scuba diving, just remember that this is the main reason scuba certifications are required. While there are different types of scuba certifications, the choice between the major agencies won’t have much of an impact on your experiences. It is the choice to get certified that will keep you safe. Plus, it is important to keep in mind that only 90 deaths are reported each from around the world, while millions of dives occur in the United States each year. With Scuba diving’s popularity on the rise, and the opportunities it presents for adventure, obtaining a scuba certification can essentially change your life
