© Scuba Fusion, Sawyer Ventures, LLC.
Learn to Dive Tips / Hints
The following information was carefully written and designed to help you
successfully complete your scuba class.
Tips for graduating
There are a lot of things to know before your diving class starts. This list will cover most of what you need to understand before your adventure begins. The instructors at Scuba Fusion have been teaching divers to dive for over 20 years. They do it only because they love working with and mentoring new students. They are friendly and are available to assist students before during and after the course.
- There is a little bit of homework
You will want to get started on the homework at least one week in advance of your class start date. This means filling out the Knowledge Reviews found at the end of each chapter in the diver manual included with your student kit. Homework is required to be completed before class begins. Divers will not be able to receive referral paperwork without first having completed and turned in the homework. Monterey divers will not be able to go to Monterey without first having completed and turned in the homework. If you have questions regarding homework, or feel you may not have it ready before class starts, please inform your instructor.
- Get some good snorkeling gear
You will need a mask, snorkel, fins and boots to take scuba lessons anywhere. These items cannot be rented due to comfort, fit and personal safety. Please ask us about course gear before you invest! It is best to purchase from a knowledgeable dive center. Cutting corners by purchasing from "Cost Mart" will only set you back with a re-buy. Plastic lens masks and flimsy child sized snorkeling fins will not do for an Open Water Course. Saving $20 on a cheap pair of fins is not worth it when they fall off 60 feet below the ocean's surface. Please plan your class at least one week in advance. This will allow you ample time to choose your snorkeling gear. Please do not wait until the last minute. We may not have your size or color choice available. Scuba Fusion now offers a no questions asked return policy on snorkeling gear. During your class, if you are not comfortable with it in the pool - exchange it for another or take store credit. (Policy good for Scuba Fusion students only during the class/pool portion of the Open Water Course) Buying Tips >
- There is a medical waiver that needs to be signed
Students must answer some medical questions before taking the class. If a student answers "yes" to any of the questions then said student will need to see a physician before continuing with scuba lessons. If you have any questions about the waiver or feel you may be falling into a gray area regarding particular questions, talk to your scuba instructor before answering. Keep in mind your scuba instructor should never be considered your primary care physician. A copy of the medical waiver can be found here: http://www.scubafusion.com/Forms_for_students.htm
- Take the class online if you are really busy
Scuba Classes are generally divided into three parts; Class Academics, Pool Practice, and Ocean Dives. The PADI online elearner program allows you to complete the Class Academics portion at home. Additional fees apply. Elearner students will still need to participate in the Pool Practice and the Ocean dives. The benefit of elearning is that you can complete the academics at your own pace. If you are completing your academics online you will still need class materials. We suggest the "elearner" student kit. This contains everything you need to complete the course and is much less expensive than the traditional Student Kit.
- A word about attendance
Learning to dive should be a fun experience. Be on time! Attendance is a PADI requirement. The course is sequential. We cannot take you to the pool for session 1 if you were not present for academic session 1. Show up to class pool and ocean dives on time. Commit yourself to learning the material your instructor is presenting to you and you should not only pass but have a great time doing it.
- Apply yourself - PADI Scuba certifcation is a pass or fail program
The staff at Scuba Fusion would love to guarantee successful graduation of every student.. However, it is just not possible. What they can do is facilitate a comfortable learning environment engineered and provided by PADI to give each student a reasonable block of time to learn the basic skills needed to graduate. The registration fee does not purchase certification and is non-refundable. The certification card is provided as a graduation present and does not need to be purchased. Statistically speaking diving is a very safe activity. However, it can be an unforgiving activity. Therefore each student must reach a certain degree of comfort in each of the three portions of the course; Academics, Pool and Ocean Dives.
- Trust your diving instructor
Your instructor may recommend or even require that you retake a exam or participate in an additional pool training session before moving foreward(additional fees will apply). Many of us don't take this kind of news well and the decision may interfere with your vacation plans. It may also save your life. Your instructor must adhere to a set of standards set by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors(PADI) and the RSTC. He or she has years of experience and training assessing would be graduates. Trust your instructor's decision.
- Know how to stay afloat in water too deep to stand up in
You don’t need to be a strong swimmer or an athlete to scuba dive, but some degree of comfort in the water certainly helps. Even if you enter scuba training with less than total confidence in your water skills, by the time you receive your first certification card, your comfort level will be greatly increased. After your certification you might find yourself being one of the many enthusiasts who scuba dive for the sheer pleasure of floating weightless in an environment as close to outer space as the majority of us will ever experience.
- Be caregul listening to non-instructors
Everybody has an opinion about learning to dive, scuba diving, and scuba equipment. Their oppinion may come from a place of inexperience and listening to their advice may actually endanger you. Listen to the advice of your professionally licensed diving instructor. Your licensed PADI instructor is in the water each week turning novice divers into pros. Has spent years of dedication becoming a better instructor by participating in continuing education. Has attended professional seminars and worked daily with other dive professionals. The only opinion to value is that of your professional dive instructor.
- Bring a car or truck to class that has 4 wheels not 2
Students provide their own transportation to and fro the dive center, Monterey and pool. During dive training students will be taking and transporting diving equipment for use in their class. This includes such things as diving cylinders, weight belts, wetsuits and any diving equipment needed for the class. Transporting wet diving equipment can cause damage to stereo equipment, paper documents and anything that may have an adverse reaction to fresh or salt water. If the fact idea that water may damage a stereo, cell phone or any electronics for that matter is a new concept to you, we would suggest dropping the idea of taking scuba lessons and pursue another less academically demanding sport.
- Should you go to Monterey? I hear it is hard
We love to dive in beautiful tropicalesque Monterey. It's just a 90 minute drive from San Mateo. And on a hot summer's day with crystal clear water it is akin to a day on the beach in Hawaii. However, it can be a difficult learning experience for beginner students who are not comfortable in the ocean, are extremely prone to seasickness, or are claustrophobic. Thicker wetsuits, gloves, and heavier weight belts make learning to dive there challenging. Your instructor will elaborate during the course. Students can change their minds about going to Monterey at any time during the course. Your instructor will inform you during the pool session(s) as to weather or not you should attempt Monterey the first time out. Many will complete their ocean dives and gain experience in a more comfortable environment(Hawaii) and then return to dive with us in Monterey in the form of a tour dive or advanced diving program.
- Don't let them twist your arm
If you have no interest in learning to dive and or your spouse or friend has talked you into taking the course - Please reconsider taking scuba lessons at all. It is a very safe activity but it can also be a very unforgiving activity. If you have little interest in diving physics and how the equipment works you may be putting yourself in danger. Take up snow boarding instead.
The owners and staff at Scuba Fusion wish you the best of luck with your new adventure.
Scuba Fusion®, Sawyer Ventures, LLC. © Scuba Fusion, Sawyer Ventures, LLC.
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