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A scuba license is your gateway to lots of underwater adventure. But you need to enroll in courses for proper training.
An occasional diver or a newbie may wonder if it’s worth all the trouble.
How long does scuba certification last anyway?
The good news is that a certification generally lasts a lifetime. It’s also recognized around the world, especially when you get it from a credible dive shop.
Let’s talk more about certification in the following sections, along with some relevant information you need.
Why Do You Need a Scuba Certification?
Scuba diving without certification is dangerous. Most dive centers won’t allow you to rent gear or refill your tank. More importantly, you won’t be able to get in the water.
That’s because a license means you’re equipped with the correct skill set and knowledge of safety procedures relevant to your level.
Your certification will also help operators gauge the level of supervision needed.
To give you a clearer picture, here’s a quick list of things you will learn during your certification course:
- Choosing your equipment and how to set it up
- Underwater signals
- Proper technique in getting in and out of the water
- Navigation and safety protocols
- Buoyancy control
- Clearing water from a mask
How Long Does Scuba Certification Last?
Generally, a scuba certification doesn’t expire, so it’s worth investing your time and effort in. Once you have that, you can safely explore suitable depths.
This opens opportunities to learn more skills and sharpen the ones you already have. The more dives you take, the better you get at remembering rules and procedures. Eventually, they’ll be second nature to you.
What if I have a certificate but don’t dive as often?
A refresher course may be necessary if you’ve been out of the scene for quite some time. Generally, agencies recommend a refresher if you haven’t dived in the last 6–12 months or more.
In this case, dive centers also consider previous diving conditions and the frequency of dives. So, maintain dive logs for ease of checking.
Always be upfront about your level of comfort too. After all, you’re the best judge if you need a refresher.
Don’t worry, though. The process is less tedious compared to the initial certification. It usually just takes a few hours to complete.
Nevertheless, a responsible diver has to stay updated with new techniques and procedures. A refresher isn’t such a bad idea for this purpose. Be on the lookout as well for publications regarding this matter.
Suppose you’ve been inactive for several years.
Your license is still valid but many things could have changed between then and now. It may be more beneficial to take the certification course over. That way, you can get a feel of newer equipment, methods, and protocols.
Again, most certifications are for life. An exception to this is an instructor license. When you stop teaching, you’ll be required to renew your license before you can teach again.
What Are the Scuba Certification Levels?
There are various certification levels when it comes to diving. The most basic of which is the open water diver designed for beginners.
If you have this under your belt, you’re allowed to dive independently. Still, you’re restricted to a maximum depth of 60 feet. You’ll also be able to get air fill for tanks and rent diving gear.
Once you enroll in a course to be an open water diver, you will need to make time for it. This can take a few days but can extend to weeks. That will depend on your pacing and the location of your training.
If you don’t have the luxury of time but want to try out this sport, the Discover Scuba Diving experience is a great option you may want to sign up for.
Naturally, a professional diver will accompany you for this. While on it, you will learn some basic skills such as:
- Proper breathing underwater
- Buoyancy control
- Regulator clearing and recovery
- Equalization techniques
Do note that this program isn’t a certification. However, you can have it credited to your open water course. Just make sure to inform your instructor ahead of time about your plan.
You will need to complete additional skill tests to make it count. Plus, you should take the open water diving course within a year.
If you’ve been diving in an open water license for some time, you can take it up a notch with advanced certification levels. This will allow you to explore deeper or embrace new roles. These options include the following:
- Advanced open-water diver
- Rescue diver
- Divemaster
- Open Water Diving Instructor
Where Can You Get Scuba Certification?
There are several diving organizations to choose from if you intend to get certified. Perhaps the most popular among these is PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors). Some other credible groups are:
- SSI (Scuba Schools International)
- SDI (Scuba Diving International)
- NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors)
Once you’ve selected a suitable organization, decide on where you want to get certified. If you want it done locally, do a quick search of dive centers backed by your choice of certifying body.
All the same, you can get your license somewhere else, during a vacation for instance. But make sure you do the necessary preparations.
Book in advance and ask about requirements so it goes smoothly when you’re there.
Do some reading as well, beginning with the medical questionnaire. In some cases, you need to present a medical clearance so be prepared for that too.
How Long Does Scuba Certification Take?
Scuba certification requires intensive training. If you’re going for a fast-track course, this can take three to four days on average to finish.
However, you can always complete the different modules in schedules. Talk it through with your instructor to have it polished.
Wrapping Up
How long does scuba certification last? Fortunately, your license is valid for a lifetime, so all effort and time you put into it isn’t wasted.
Still, a refresher course is recommended if you haven’t dived in the past 6–12 months. Re-training is also advisable if you’ve been inactive for several years.
As a final reminder, a responsible diver should stay updated regarding new equipment, safety protocols, and underwater procedures.
