Info-Authority: Diving Instruction

Scuba diving and snorkeling can be enlightening and exciting experiences. They can also be dangerous ones -- and that is where a certified diving instructor becomes necessary. The Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) is the largest scuba training organization in the world. PADI has several guidelines and tips for those pursuing diving instruction and certification.

Taking a Diving Course

Anyone in good health can take a diving course. Some courses may require that a medical questionnaire be completed to ensure diving safety. A swimmer must be proficient but not necessarily expert in the water, and some courses may have an in water test to complete before certification. Based on PADI guidelines, a diving student can be as young as ten years old; however, upon completion of the course, the diver may only dive with a certified adult to specified depths. That may be upgraded to a regular open water diver certification at age 15.

Diving Equipment

Diving instruction may use a variety of equipment, most commonly a mask, snorkel and fins. Scuba equipment that allows the diver to breathe gas through a tank, and therefore remain underwater longer, may be required for deeper open water dives and can contain several components, including tanks, hoses, weight belts, gauges, and computers.

Finding a Certified Diving Instructor

Locating a certified instructor should be an intelligent process that includes asking instructors questions that reveal whether they are informed and legitimate. How many divers the instructor has taught versus the number of divers the instructor has certified should be an important consideration. The instructor should also be certified in CPR and first aid training. Scuba certification is performance-based training, so the course can take as long or as little time as the student's schedule allows; three or four days is the average length of time for certification.

Importance of Diving Instruction

Instruction is necessary in diving due to several medical dangers that can occur if not properly addressed. If a diver remains underwater at deeper depths, nitrogen from the water will dissolve through the skin and into the diver's bloodstream. The diver must then rise slowly to the surface to avoid decompression sickness, or “the bends,” which can be fatal if severe enough. The process of equalization, or balancing the pressure in the ears as one dives, is an important lesson to be taught in order to prevent permanent ear drum damage. If gauges are improperly read, drowning can occur as well. Proper diving instruction is a key factor in avoiding harmful, and possibly even fatal, events. For his or her own safety, the diver should adhere to instructions at all times.

By Barbara Poelle




	Diving Instruction Scuba diving and snorkeling can be enlightening and exciting experiences. They can also be dangerous ones -- and that is where a certified diving instructor becomes necessary. The Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) is the largest scuba training organization in the world. PADI has several guidelines and tips for those pursuing diving instruction and certification. Taking a Diving Course Anyone in good health can take a diving course. Some courses may require that a medical questionnaire be completed to ensure diving safety. A swimmer must be proficient but not necessarily expert in the water, and some courses may have an in water test to complete before certification. Based on PADI guidelines, a diving student can be as young as ten years old; however, upon completion of the course, the diver may only dive with a certified adult to specified depths. That may be upgraded to a regular open water diver certification at age 15. Diving Equipment Diving instruction may use a variety of equipment, most commonly a mask, snorkel and fins. Scuba equipment that allows the diver to breathe gas through a tank, and therefore remain underwater longer, may be required for deeper open water dives and can contain several components, including tanks, hoses, weight belts, gauges, and computers. Finding a Certified Diving Instructor Locating a certified instructor should be an intelligent process that includes asking instructors questions that reveal whether they are informed and legitimate. How many divers the instructor has taught versus the number of divers the instructor has certified should be an important consideration. The instructor should also be certified in CPR and first aid training. Scuba certification is performance-based training, so the course can take as long or as little time as the student's schedule allows; three or four days is the average length of time for certification. Importance of Diving Instruction Instruction is necessary in diving due to several medical dangers that can occur if not properly addressed. If a diver remains underwater at deeper depths, nitrogen from the water will dissolve through the skin and into the diver's bloodstream. The diver must then rise slowly to the surface to avoid decompression sickness, or “the bends,” which can be fatal if severe enough. The process of equalization, or balancing the pressure in the ears as one dives, is an important lesson to be taught in order to prevent permanent ear drum damage. If gauges are improperly read, drowning can occur as well. Proper diving instruction is a key factor in avoiding harmful, and possibly even fatal, events. For his or her own safety, the diver should adhere to instructions at all times. By Barbara Poelle Related Links: PADI - The Way the World Learns to Dive The Professional Association of Diving Instructors addresses common diving questions.