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I
want to learn about scuba diving.
I
want to learn about PADI.
I'm
already a scuba diver.
I
want to learn about scuba diving.
I've
always wanted to learn to scuba dive. How do I get started?
The best way to start is to contact us now. Drop us an e-mail
or call us . You can also gather a friend to make a buddy team. To know
more about the course go to our Open Water Diver Course
and click .
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Is
it hard to learn to scuba dive?
No, in fact, it's probably easier than you imagine -- especially
if you're already comfortable in the water. PADI's entry-level
diver course is split into knowledge development, confined
water (pool) skill training and four scuba sea dives. The
course is "performance based," which means that you progress
as you learn and demonstrate knowledge and skill.
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How
long does it take to become a certified scuba diver?
PADI courses are "performance based," which means that you
earn your certification when you demonstrate that you've mastered
the required skills and knowledge. Some people learn faster
than others, so how long it takes you may vary. Our PADI Open
Water Diver course (beginning course) is typically split into
three parts ( 2 academic, 2 pool training and 2 sessions
of scuba sea dives) with tremendous flexibility. The course
is usually schedule for two weeks beginning on Tuesday with the
academic discussion on modules 1 and 2 and the following Thursday - confined
skill training on modules 1 and 2. The week after Tuesday - Academic Discussion 2, Thursdays
- Confined Skill Training 2 and the weekend or following for the final
sea dives of sessions 1 & 2. Generally, participants take
up to one or two weeks to complete their course and become
certified.
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How
old do you have to be to become a certified diver?
Ten years old. If you're between 10 and 15, you receive
a Junior Open Water Diver certification, which means you should
dive with a certified adult. When you turn 15, you can upgrade
your Junior certification to a regular Open Water Diver certification.
Ages 18 and below requires parental or guardian consent in
our registration forms for all courses.
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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 10 years old can participate. As a precaution and
administrative procedures, you are to complete a routine medical
questionaire. If anything on the questionaire indicates
something to be cautious about, you'll have to check with your physician
to make sure it's acceptable to dive.
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Do
I have to be a great swimmer to be certified as a PADI Open
Water Diver?
No, you don't have to have the standards of a competitive
swimmer and you do not need to show proof of formal swimming
education. All you need to be is a reasonably proficient swimmer
who is comfortable and relaxed in the water. The swimming
requirement for certification is an easy 183 meter/200 yard
swim (with no time or specific stroke requirement) and 10
minute tread/float.
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Is
scuba diving expensive?
Not really. Like any hobby or recreation, you can invest a
lot or a little, depending upon your interest level. Because
we can arrange and offers equipment rental, you can invest in equipment
over time, renting what you don't have until you make the
investment. Besides distant dive destinations, we have good
diving not too far from Singapore, so even travel costs are
flexible enough to accommodate even the tightest budget.
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Why
some centres charge so much cheaper?
There are always hidden cost not published, but only communicated to student after the stage of diver signning up the course. Some do not include certification. Others do not include use of wetsuit or basic gears like mask, snorkel, fins and weight-belt. And a few may need you to hire BCD and Regulator during trip. While doing the open sea dives, it's always the case of rushing the divers through the dive. Dives are always less than the usual 50 minutes each dive. Student can only remember doing the skills during dives but not enjoying the underwater tours at all. Classes could be very big such as ten students to one instructor. And it's usually the scheduled lessons had been fixed. Student cannot changed the dates once they had sign-on. Usually young, new and inexperienced instructor on the job gaining experience at your expense!
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What
equipment do I need before I take scuba lessons?
In all Scuba activities, Basic Equipment, as it is commonly
known, consist of the following items: 1.Mask 2.
Snorkel 3. Fins 4. Wetsuit 5. Weight
Belt and if you are wearing non-full foot fins 7. Booties.
We would strongly encourage students and divers to own their
own set of Basic Equipment to give you the optimum comfort
and they are generally inexpensive to purchase.
Scuba
Equipment is another category of equipment for all Scuba activities.
They consist of : Buoyancy Control Device (BCD), Regulator
System (Reg). Which are provided in all courses
offered and available for rental for recreational
dives.
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What's
in a scuba tank? Oxygen?
Recreational divers breathe air, not oxygen. It's filtered
to remove impurities, but otherwise, it's air like you're
breathing now.
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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 tell them how much air
they have at all times.
As
an approximation, though, a diver sightseeing in calm, warm
water in the 5 meter/15 foot to 10 meter/30 foot range can
expect the average tank to last about an hour.
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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. To know more on how you can equalizing your ears, click
here.
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In
the movies and on TV, divers are always running into sharks
or eels. Are marine animals really much of a concern?
Virtually all aquatic animals are passive or timid. There
are a few that can bite or sting defensively, but you can
avoid these simply by watching where you put your hands and
feet, and by not touching any animal you don't recognize.
Divers aren't natural prey for sharks, so shark attacks are
very rare -- more people are injured each year from bee stings
than shark attacks. In fact, we human are more of a threat
to the shark species because of the demand for their fins
....
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Is
scuba diving dangerous?
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. There are more cases
of Lightning fatalities than scuba diving in a year!
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I
need vision correction. 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. Seek
advise from your eye doctor about these if you don't have
them now. Another option is to have prescription lenses put
into your mask.
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Scuba diving sounds exciting, but
I'm not sure if it's for me. Can I try it without signing
up for a course?
Absolutely. The PADI
Discover Scuba Program allows you to try scuba in a swimming
pool . The program will familiarize
you with the equipment and some techniques. You can usually
do this in a hour. Just drop an e-mail to enquire about Discover
Scuba Program which usually cost $80 each.
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I
want to learn about PADI.
What
is PADI?
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.
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What
is Project AWARE?
Project AWARE stands for Aquatic World Awareness, Responsibility
and Education, and is the environmental-educational umbrella
for PADI and PADI professionals worldwide. Project AWARE programs
have included beach cleanups, environmental presentations,
research and other efforts to help preserve and protect the
underwater world.
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I'm
already a scuba diver.
I
lost my PADI certification card. Can I get another one? How
long does it take?
We can help you in getting a replacement card for you.
Just send us an e-mail . To facilitate
us in completing your re-application.
Please
provide your Name, Instructor Name (if possible),
Date of Birth, Dive Center Certified (if you
signed up in one), Student No (if possible) and Certification
Level
Each
re-applications fee is SGD$120 and must be paid before your
re-application is send.
Applications
normally take about 6-8 weeks to process and certification
cards issued.
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I'm
a certified diver through another training organization. How
can I become a PADI diver?
It's easy. Visit us and present your certification card. After
an initial assessment of your skills and diving knowledge,
We will guide you into the course you're most
qualified for.
Basic
entry level certification from NAUI, SSI, CMAS, BSAC and YMCA
are accepted as meeting the prerequisite of a diver who "is
certified PADI Open Water Diver Or an Equivalent Certification".
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