Pacific Water Sports
Call: 250 746-6669
Learning to Scuba Dive is an incredible experience
Learning to dive is not only an incredible and mesmerizing experience, but it is also a gateway to a whole new world underwater. The process of acquiring the skills and knowledge necessary to dive opens up endless opportunities for exploration and adventure.
If you are from Vancouver Island or planning on visiting give us a shout we can set you up with PADI Dive Courses, equipment rentals, servicing, or join our Saturday morning dives.
If you are in the Prairies you can learn to scuba dive in Edmonton, Alberta, check out our affiliate, Larry Wedgewood Scuba in Edmonton.
Starting Lineup of Scuba Courses
Discover Scuba - Experience Dive
About this program
Have you always wondered what it's like to breathe underwater? If you want to try scuba diving, but aren't quite ready to take the plunge into a certification course, Discover Scuba Diving is for you.
We offer this program in a pool environment with our qualified PADI Scuba Instructor.
You learn the basic safety guidelines and skills needed to dive under the direct supervision of a PADI Professional. If you make an open water dive, you'll practice a few more skills in shallow water to prepare for your adventure.
What's included
PADI Open Water Course - Beginners
About this course
PADI® Open Water Diver is the first scuba certification level. A highly-trained PADI Instructor will teach you how to scuba dive in a relaxed, supportive learning environment.
By the end of the course, you'll have the skills and knowledge to dive at home or abroad and be an ambassador for the underwater world.
What's included
PADI Advanced Diver Course
About this course
The Advanced Open Water Diver course is all about advancing your skills. You'll practice navigation and buoyancy, try deep diving and make three specialty dives of your choosing (it's like a specialty sampler platter). For every specialty dive you complete, you can earn credit toward PADI® specialty certifications.
Here are a few of the many options: Deep, Digital Underwater Imaging, Dive Against Debris, Dry Suit, Enriched Air Nitrox, Fish Identification, Night, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Search & rescue, Underwater Naturalist, Underwater Navigation, and Wreck Diver.
What's included
Prerequisite
PADI Rescue Diver Course
About this course
The PADI® Rescue Diver course will change the way you dive – in the best possible way. Learn to identify and fix minor issues before they become big problems, gain a lot of confidence and have serious fun along the way.
Discover why countless divers say Rescue Diver is their favorite scuba course. Be able to help other divers, fix minor gear problems and use emergency equipment.
What's included
Prerequisites
PADI Specialty Diver Programs
About this program
Have more fun, and gain more experience through PADI specialty training.
The Master Scuba Diver rating places you in an elite group of respected divers who have earned this rating through both significant experience and scuba training. When you flash your Master Scuba Diver card, people know that you've spent time underwater in a variety of environments and had your share of dive adventures.
Prerequisites
The Way the World Learns to Dive®
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.
Start Your Scuba Course Today
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.
- Divers 10-11 years old must dive with a PADI Professional or a certified parent or guardian, and dives cannot exceed 12 meters/40 feet.
- Divers 12-14 years old must dive with a certified adult and dives cannot exceed 18 meters / 60 feet
- Children under the age of 13 require parent or guardian permission to register for PADI eLearning.
- Jr. Open Water Divers may upgrade to PADI Open Water Diver certification at age 15 by requesting a new certification card (no additional training is required).
- Learn more here: https://blog.padi.com/2014/09/16/scuba-diving-lessons-for-kids/
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.
Contact and Location
(250) 746-6669
Terry(at)Pacificwatersports.ca
260 Trans Canada Hwy, Duncan, BC. V9L 3P9
Regular Store Hours
Tuesday to Saturday 10 am - 4 pm
Sunday & Monday - Closed
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