In order to obtain compressed air, buy or rent scuba equipment, or participate in diving activities, you must become certified by a nationally recognized certification program. To do so, you must first pass a training course. These courses do not require special athletic ability, but you should be in reasonably good health, have good circulation and respiration, and be comfortable in water. The course will cover all necessary applications of diving including safety, equipment, and diving technique. You will then learn to make dives and navigate underwater. Training usually begins in the classroom with orientation and basic instruction. The next step is the swimming pool for instruction on snorkling and your first actual scuba dive. The last portion of certification is the open water dive in a natural environment. Upon completion of the course, you will be awarded a certification card. For more information about scuba certification, contact a scuba instructor or dive shop in your area.
