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FAQ Click below to advance to the common answers...
Is it hard to learn to scuba dive?
Do I have to be a great swimmer to be certified as a PADI Open Water Diver?
How often do I have to renew my certification?
How long does a tank of air last?
My ears hurt when I dive to the bottom of a pool. Won't they hurt when I scuba dive?
I wear glasses, is that a problem?
Why should I train with Lake Superior Divers Supply and School?
Is
it hard to learn to scuba dive? No, in fact, it's probably easier than you ever imagined -- especially if you're already comfortable in the water. The course is "performance based," which means that you progress as you learn and demonstrate knowledge and skill.
Do I have to meet any special qualifications or considerations before I can participate in a scuba class? No. Generally speaking, anyone in good average health and at least 12 years old can participate.
Do
I have to be a great swimmer to be certified as a PADI Open Water Diver? No. All you need to be is a reasonably proficient swimmer who is comfortable and relaxed in the water. The only swimming required by for the PADI certification is a 200-yard swim, and floating or treading water for 10 minutes.
PADI is the Professional Association of Diving Instructor, the largest scuba training organization in the world. PADI develops scuba programs and diver training products, monitors the scuba training conducted by more than 67,000 PADI professionals worldwide, maintains diver certification records and issues your diver certification credentials. In addition, PADI maintains various support services for PADI Dive Centers and Resorts. Founded in 1966, today you'll find PADI professionals in more than 170 countries and territories, and international service offices in nine countries. Approximately seven out of ten North American divers are certified by PADI, and approximately 55% of all divers worldwide are certified by PADI.
What
does it mean to be certified? It means that you've learned basic scuba diving skills from a licensed instructor, and are qualified to dive in open water with a buddy, with or without a divemaster present. Dive operators will require your certification card before they let you dive with them.
How
often do I have to renew my certification? At the present your certification is good for life. We do recommend that you dive at least 12 times per year to keep your skills current and that you take a SCUBA Tune-up after an extended period of non-diving. A rule of thumb is, if you haven't dived in the past 6 months you can use a Tune-up.
How long does a tank of air last? This is a common question that, unfortunately, doesn't have a single answer. People breathe at different rates, and you breathe faster when you're swimming than when you're resting. Also, the deeper you go, the faster you use your air, and, you can get different size tanks. So, the answer is "it depends." This is why divers have a gauge that tells them how much air they have left at all times.
My ears hurt when I dive to the bottom of a pool. Won't they hurt when I scuba dive? Your ears hurt because water pressure pushes in on your ear drum. In your scuba course, you'll learn a simple technique to equalize your ears to the surrounding pressure, much like you do when you land in an airplane, and they won't hurt at all.
Not really. Statistics show that recreational scuba diving is about as safe as swimming. Certainly there are potential hazards -- which is why you need training and certification -- but like driving a car, as long as you follow the rules and use common sense, it's pretty safe.
I wear glasses, is that a problem? Not at all. If you wear soft contact lenses, you shouldn't have problems wearing them when you dive. If you wear hard lenses, you'll want the gas permeable type for diving. See your eye doctor about these if you don't have them now. Another option is to have prescription lenses put into your mask. See your PADI professional about this service.
Why
should I train with Lake Superior Divers Supply and School? We
make learning to dive easy, safe and most of all FUN!!!
You can click on the link here to e-mail the shop. You can call at: (218) 624-7285 or (218)624-3456 Or, you can come directly to the shop during the hours of: Mon.-Fri 12 Noon-6PM Saturday 10:30AM-3PM Sunday 12 Noon-3PM Click here for directions.
The
most frequent complaint of new divers is, "Why did I wait so long to get
started? I wish I had done this years ago."
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