Learn how to become a scuba diver: Dive into the adventure of a lifetime!

So you want to become a scuba diver but don't know where to start? Stay tuned and we'll tell you everything you need to know. So when you're ready to take the plunge and start diving it can be easy to get lost understanding the different types of acronyms and training but once you understand the basics it's so much simpler than it seems. So what do you need to get started scuba diving? The first thing you need to do is get certified. Being certified simply means you're qualified to scuba dive because you've gone through a training program and learned how to dive safely and there's no better way to get certified than with PADI. PADI is the Professional Association of Diving Instructors and it's the largest certifying body for recreational divers worldwide. Did you know that over 900,000 divers choose PADI each year and that's why PADI Open Water Diver Certification is the most recognized scuba certification in the world. It's the first autonomous scuba certification level and allows you to dive on your own with a certified buddy up to a maximum depth of 18 meters or 60 feet. It also allows you to rent dive equipment, book boat dives and take additional classes such as underwater photography and videography or even progress to the next level and become a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver. Once you have your certification you're ready to create epic memories with family and friends and dive into adventures across the globe. Now that you're curious, how do you get certified? Here's what an open water course looks like. It typically takes about four to seven days depending on the location and there are three parts that you must complete. The first is knowledge development. Here you'll learn the basic theory about scuba either through PADI e-learning or in the classroom. The second part is confined water dives. You'll learn and practice your diving skills over five confined dives in a and the third open water dives. This is where the real fun begins. You'll complete four dives in open water such as a lake or the ocean so you can put your skills to the test and get comfortable with the environment and that's it. Once you complete those three parts you'll receive your PADI Open Water Diver certification. If you're not ready to get certified just yet that's okay. Here are two other options to get your feet wet without having to do the whole course just yet. Option one is to try a discover scuba diving experience or DSD. This is a fun and easy way to get a feel for what diving is like without having to do a course. That's why the DSD is an experience not a certification. All you have to do is go through some basic concepts, practice a few essential skills and in just a few hours you could be underwater exploring the beauty of the aquatic world under the close guidance of a PADI professional. Doing a DSD doesn't allow you to dive independently. It's more like a taster of what diving is like under very controlled conditions but it's a great way to get a feel for what it's like to dive and who knows it might be the push you need to get certified and start your lifelong love affair with the underwater world. Option two, become a certified PADI scuba diver. The PADI scuba diver certification is like obtaining a learner's permit when learning to drive. It's an intermediate step towards a full open water certification and it's popular for aspiring scuba divers who don't have the time to complete the entire open water course or can't finish their open water course due to unique circumstances or only want to dive with a PADI professional as opposed to with a certified dive buddy. Does that sound like you? The course to be certified as a PADI scuba diver typically takes between two and three days where you'll learn fundamental concepts about scuba through PADI e-learning or classroom instruction. Complete three confined water skill practice sessions in the pool and complete two open water dives in a lake or ocean. Once you're certified as a PADI scuba diver you may be able to dive to a depth of 12 meters or 40 feet always under the direct supervision of a PADI instructor. The PADI scuba diver course is roughly the first half of the PADI open water diver which means you can easily upgrade later on. All you need to do is complete the remaining knowledge development, confined water and open water dives and you'll receive a full PADI open water diver certification. So if you ever get the urge to dive deeper or join your certified dive buddies underwater then all you have to do is upgrade. So how about it? Are you tempted to try? Don't forget to share this video with anyone who you think might be inspired to become a diver, who knows they might just end up being a lifelong dive buddy.