Pacific Water Sports
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The Best Scuba Instructions on Vancouver Island, with a Variety of The Most Popular Courses.
We Offer a Full Range of Scuba Equipment from Major Manufacturers.
We Provide All The Services a Scuba Diver needs, From Air Fills to Equipment Repair, and more.
The acronym SCUBA stands for Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus.
The current equipment we use today was developed in 1943 by undersea explorers Jacques-Yves Cousteau and Émile Gagnan together they invented the apparatus. It was the first successful and safe open-circuit scuba created. The pair named the apparatus the “Aqua-Lung..”
SCUBA utilizes a portable supply of compressed gas (as air) supplied at a regulated pressure and used for breathing while swimming underwater”. This equipment allows us to breathe and visit the underwater world to see, learn and discover aquatic life firsthand. Scuba is augmented with peripheral equipment such as masks, fins, and wetsuits to enhance our experience and safety underwater.
SCUBA diving is sensual. To breathe underwater is one of the most fascinating and peculiar sensations imaginable. Breathing becomes a rhythmic melody of inhalations and exhalations. The cracks and pops of fish and crustaceans harmonize with the rhythmic chiming of the bubbles as you exhale. Soon, the lungs act as bellows, controlling your buoyancy as you achieve weightlessness. And, as in your dreams, you are flying. Combine these otherworldly stimuli and you surrender completely to the sanctuary of the underwater world.
Scuba diving is an exciting and fun sport, and that fun is not just while underwater, it influences your entire life. Scuba diving broadens the mind and gives you a different perspective and a better quality of life, increasing your happiness. Face it, if you are not a diver, then divers are having more fun than you do.
Scuba diving allows you to move freely underwater and makes you feel you are part of marine life. Another great thing is that diving is the closest thing to flying. Hardly having to deal with gravity makes you feel like you're weightless and flying into the blue. Another reason why scuba diving has enriched my life and can yours is that it gives you a ‘zen’ moment. During scuba diving, you are not focused on life above, instead, you are emersed in the feeling, seeing, and, yes, hearing of the environment around you. You get to have a “Time out” from the regular world for a short time. It’s pretty special.
Scuba is adventure and discovery Being below the water, is a pretty cool experience and adventure, especially when you mix in all the aquatic creatures you see.! You explore areas, which are difficult to visit, and relatively few people will ever visit the underwater world and have the experiences you will.
In Sport Diver, there is a great article on 50 ways to play underwater check out the article and see if any of the was resinates with you.
Scuba diving is a discovered sport, by that I mean you often see things you have never seen before or at least not very often. You get to experience life underwater and get to know the underwater world and the life that lives there. I consider it a discovery sport because less than 2% of the world has scuba-dived and seen the underwater world firsthand, so people who dive discover more than the average human. There are awesome things to discover cold water diving as well as tropical diving.
When I was growing up I couldn’t wait to watch the next episode of The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau I just loved all the discoveries and the adventure, never thinking that I would ever get the chance to scuba dive (I didn’t even learn to swim until I was 18 years old, thank you, Buck Milligan), But when I did, it was more than I could have imagined. The feeling of being weightless under the water, like flying in slow motion, and the creatures that I only saw on tv or in books. It’s hard to explain how you feel, as I suspect it’s different for everyone, but for me, the feeling of FEAR was not one of the emotions. I felt FREE, and special in a way I didn’t and don’t feel on land.
Next, you progress to Openwater, where you apply the knowledge and skills you learned in actual diving situations under the direct supervision of your Scuba Diving Instructor. Over a minimum of 4 open water dives your Instructor will evaluate, coach, and reinforce good diving technique and safe diving practices Once completed you will be awarded an International Diving Certification.
Your PADI Certification doe not expire, however if you have had a period of inactivity from diving it is recommended you do a ReCertification throught the PADI ReActivate Program.
The short answer is NO! However, there are a few components to learning scuba dive that are important and will provide a safe, fun experience.
Three main components of learning to Scuba Dive
When you learn to dive for the first time, you may feel overwhelmed at first with all there is to learn. As you may know, there is a theoretical part of getting certified, and when you first get your hands on the learning material it may seem like a daunting task.
But, as with everything, nothing is as hard as it seems, and when you get PADI Open Water Diver certified you’ll quickly find that you’ll have plenty of support along the way. You get access to the learning materials in both video and written form, and can easily learn the material in the way that suits you best. Your instructor is also there to give you the support you need in order to take in all the information.
As for the practical part, this is where most people seem to worry about the difficulty in learning to dive. They ask me if it is difficult to use the regulator, if it is stressful to breathe underwater, and if it is difficult to make sure my ears don’t pop.
There are many things you need to consider when diving and when learning to dive. Some of these are more difficult than others, but I can assure you that the PADI program is created to have you ready for success!
Once you have gone through the theory and developed your knowledge base, you’ll have your confined water skills development and tests. During these tests, you’ll quickly find your pace and learn that the instructor lets you tick off the different challenges at your own speed. Some may find it more difficult than others to remove their mask and put it back on, while others may struggle a bit more with the fin pivot* (I know I did!). Either way, your instructor will let you take your time and find your comfort zone. It is not about speed, it is about comfort.
Similar to lots of other activity base sports like skiing, golfing, biking, etc there is a dependence on equipment to be able to do the sport and enjoy it safely. Scuba diving is no different, scuba gear can be rented or purchased, but for the training portions, the scuba gear is usually included in the price of the course.
Personal Equipment
The other scuba gear is not considered personal, because it doesn’t include fitting to your face, mouth, or feet. The BDC, Regulator assemble and wetsuit has a broader fit and comfort range that won’t impede learning.
This is similar to skiing, while skis and bindings can be more generic it’s important to have a high level of comfort for your feet, face, and hands. This is why most skiers own their own ski boots, goggles, and gloves at a minimum as do scuba divers.
Have a look at this article by Scuba Diving Magazine on gear.
Breathing underwater. Navigating shipwrecks. Swimming with sharks. It’s no surprise that the ‘extreme sport’ of scuba diving provokes both curiosity and caution from beginners and the uninitiated.
Scuba diving is enjoyed by thousands of people around the world every day and it’s considered a low-risk activity compared to many other outdoor and sporting activities. Even such widespread activities as swimming, jogging, and all-terrain vehicle riding have higher reported fatality rates than diving. So, read on as we explore the stats on scuba diving risks, alleviate some common fears, and share a few tips on how to keep scuba diving safe. The Underwater Council of BC reports that scuba diving is a very safe sport. However, the environment, equipment, and human behavior play a pivotal role in safety. Furthermore, scuba diving becomes unsafe in the absence of proper training through a professional training organization such as PADI, NAUI, SDI, SSI. Here is a list of most of the associations in the world.
Have a look at his article by PADI to answer one of the most common questions: Is scuba diving safe?
There are many Scuba Diving Training Associations in the world. Overall, there are in excess of 50 scuba diving certification agencies worldwide. Each of them differs slightly in terms of philosophy, teaching methods, and their "certification level" system. But PADI is considered the best training agency by thousands in over 180 different countries.
PADI ( Professional Association of Scuba Instructors) is our training agency. They are an international agency that operates in over 180 countries and in over 6,500 scuba shops, and more than 128,000 professional members.
Starting at Divemaster individuals become Professional PADI members once they have completed the PADI Divemaster course, afterwhich the can Then progress to the PADI Instructor Levels.
PADI is responsible for the training curriculum and content, how it’s laid out, and the training sequencing. PADI also provides its professional members with all the course material and training aids to run professional Scuba Diving courses from pre-beginners to Instructor Trainers courses.
PADI Divers carry the most respected and sought-after scuba diving credentials in the world. No matter where you choose to dive, your PADI certification card will be recognized and accepted. In fact, on most scuba diving adventures, you’ll be surrounded by other PADI Divers who made the same certification choice you did – to train with the world’s largest and most respected scuba diving training organization.
Education - The PADI System of diver education is the most instructional solid system in diving. PADI courses are designed to make learning enjoyable and worthwhile. Under the guidance of your professional PADI Instructor, you gain confidence while mastering important safety concepts and skills. PADI Instructors are trained and held to diving’s highest standards, backed up by a solid, proactive quality management system.
Performance-Based Learning – You progress at your own pace as you demonstrate mastery of specific performance requirements essential to becoming a scuba diver. You must earn your PADI certification, but you do so in an encouraging and well-supported learning environment.
Educational Materials – Credentialed instructional designers use state-of-the-art technology and learning theories to create PADI materials with you, the student diver, in mind. Independent study materials, available in a variety of media – online programs, tablet-based apps, manuals, workbooks, multimedia discs, etc. – allow you to learn in a way that works for you. Instructional support materials allow your PADI Instructor to further explain important concepts and verify understanding.
Educational Standards – All PADI programs, from entry-level through scuba instructor training, fall under strict educational standards monitored for worldwide consistency and quality. PADI takes a proactive approach to quality management and randomly surveys PADI Divers to confirm their courses meet PADI’s high standards as well as the divers’ expectations. No other diver training organization works to maintain this level of professional reliability and integrity.
Continuing Diver Education – The fun and enjoyment of being a confident scuba diver is fueled by continuing to improve your scuba skills. Each PADI course builds on the previous one, teaching you skills and techniques when you’re ready to learn them. PADI specialty courses let you explore specific dive interests. Professional-level courses let you live the scuba diving lifestyle by becoming a divemaster or scuba instructor.
College Credit and Vocational Training – The unsurpassed quality of PADI materials, and the educational validity of PADI courses, have been independently acknowledged by international educational and vocational training authorities. You may be able to earn college credit for certain PADI courses or receive vocational training recognition toward national certificates.
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Standards Compliant – PADI courses are certified as compliant with ISO standards for Recreational Diving Services by an independent auditor, the European Underwater Federation, and the Austrian Standards Institute. The ISO standards (see chart below) relate to five levels of diver, two levels of instructor, and a service provider or dive center. Each of these standards equates to a PADI certification or member level, which means that, in effect, divers or members holding one of these qualifications can also be said to have met the requirements of the relevant ISO standard – as though they had gained two credentials at once.
Just as scuba divers must earn PADI certifications, PADI Instructors must complete a development program that sets the industry standard for scuba instructor training. Each new PADI Instructor demonstrates a thorough knowledge of the PADI System and the ability to conduct PADI programs by meeting specific criteria. Before earning the PADI Instructor rating, all candidates are evaluated by a select group of PADI-employed Instructor Examiners. This ensures that the evaluation process is objective, fair and consistent worldwide. This is another way that PADI training stands above others in the dive industry.
To help PADI Members grow both personally and professionally, PADI Offices conduct annual seminars that cover various educational, marketing, and risk management topics. PADI Members can also attend business development programs and seminars that look at current trends in diving. Retailers and resort operators have access to a variety of business services through the PADI Retail and Resort Associations.
As a PADI Diver, you become part of the larger PADI community.
ScubaEarth®– By joining PADI’s online community – ScubaEarth – you’re given an interactive, dynamic platform to share everything scuba diving-related with other divers, dive operations, and instructors from around the world. You can research and plan dive experiences, search more than 60,000 dive sites, find PADI Dive Centers and Resorts, connect with dive buddies, log dives, upload dive photos or videos, identify aquatic creatures, and much more.
PADI Blog and TecRec Blog – Get the latest PADI dive news and scuba-related discussions by tapping into PADI’s blogs. The TecRec blog focuses specifically on technical diving news and equipment, while the PADI Blog covers recreational diving topics and provides words of wisdom from the Dive GuruTM.
PADI on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and YouTube – You can interact with other PADI Divers who share stories, photos, videos and discuss their passion – scuba diving – through social media sites.
As a PADI Diver, you join millions of others to form a growing force that can and does make a difference in the effort to preserve the underwater world. PADI courses encompass environmental awareness and protection philosophies that emphasize the importance of protecting fragile aquatic ecosystems. The worldwide PADI organization is committed to preserving the aquatic environment for future generations. Diving won’t survive without beautiful places to visit, and PADI Divers are encouraged to take action with the PADI AWARE FoundationTM and make every dive count for a clean, healthy ocean planet.
Certainly, that is a very good and valid question. Because there are a lot of diving associations in the world and in the end, the quality of the Scuba Diving instructor and his instruction is very important and counts for the student.
That being said, here are a few reasons to learn the PADI way.
To become a scuba instructor with PADI you need to have been certified as an entry-level diver with any agency for at least six months, Also, you need to have an advanced diver certification, a rescue certification, and a Divemaster or Dive Leader certification before you can take the PADI Instructor Course. The course takes some effort and knowledge of the complete PADI Training system which is taught by PADI Course Directors worldwide. Check out PADI's blog on Diving Careers.
Our PADI Course Director is Larry Wedgewood who has extensive dive experience from all over the world and over 30 years of experience. He is happy to connect and go over all the questions you have.
With more than 6,200 PADI dive centres and resorts, and more than 136,000 individual PADI Professionals who have issued more than 23 million certifications around the world, you'll find PADI diver courses and scuba diving services nearly everywhere. In fact, on most scuba diving adventures, you'll be surrounded by other PADI Divers who made the same choice you did - to join the world's most respected scuba diving community.
Scuba Diving FAQs
Your questions answered
How long does it take to earn a scuba diving certification?
There are three parts to becoming a certified diver: knowledge development, confined water in a pool or pool-like environment, and open water dives.
Independent study using PADI Open Water Diver digital learning program (eLearning) takes about eight hours. In-water work, including pool training and open water dives, can be completed in just a few days.
The PADI Open Water Diver course is flexible and performance-based, which means you progress at your own pace. Once you and your instructor feel confident that you've mastered a skill, you’ll move on to the next one. If you want to try the new skill a few more times, that’s okay too. The goal is for you to learn how to be a safe, confident diver and feel comfortable in the water..
What do I need a PADI Certifcation?
The most important reason to get a SCUBA certification is safety. Open water SCUBA classes start by teaching you the basic skills and knowledge that will be integral to your entire dive career, whether you remain at the beginner level or continue to advance your education.
How old do you have to be to learn to scuba dive?
The minimum age is 10 years old (in most areas). Student divers who are younger than 15 earn the PADI Junior Open Water Diver certification.
The Junior Open Water certification comes with restrictions.
How much do scuba diving lessons cost?
A scuba diving certification costs about the same as a full day of surfing lessons, three hours of private golf lessons, or one amazing night out! Learning to scuba dive is a great value because you earn a certification that allows you to dive anywhere in the world.
When comparing prices for scuba lessons, be sure to ask what’s included. A very low price may be for in-water training only. A higher price may include rental gear, a boat trip and/or online training.
Does a Scuba Certification expire?
No, your certification will not expire. As an PADI Open Water Diver, your certification is good for life. If you do not actively participate in scuba for an extended period of time, however, it's a good idea to refresh your skills through the PADI ReActivate class.
Can you Scuba Dive without a certification?
It is not illegal to dive without certification, but no reputable dive center or club would allow someone to dive with them without first being certified to scuba dive. Can I be Scuba diving without certification? It's not that diving is difficult, it just requires a specific set of skills.
Can I dive without my PADI Certification Card?
Technically you do not need your physical card to scuba dive. However Dive centers will need to verify and check that you are a certified diver, most dive centers can do this online within the PADI system
Can I Scuba Dive Anywhere?
From the first day, scuba diving starts transforming your life with new experiences you can share with friends. And you can do it almost anywhere there is water. Start learning with eLearning and get ready to take your first breaths underwater!
Is Scuba Diving Safe?
Like any active sport there is elements of risks, which is why taking professional scuba training and getting properly certified is important. Proper training greatly reduces the elements of risk.
Is Scuba Diving safer than driving a car?
Statistically, scuba diving is safer than driving a car, riding a motocycle, skiing, playing football, having a kid, skydiving, or running a marathon.
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Terry(at)Pacificwatersports.ca
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