A scuba license is your gateway to lots of underwater adventure. But you need to enroll in courses for proper training.<\/p>\n
An occasional diver or a newbie may wonder if it\u2019s worth all the trouble.<\/p>\n
How long does scuba certification last anyway?<\/p>\n
The good news is that a certification generally lasts a lifetime. It\u2019s also recognized around the world, especially when you get it from a credible dive shop.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s talk more about certification in the following sections, along with some relevant information you need.<\/p>\n
Scuba diving<\/a> without certification is dangerous. Most dive centers won\u2019t allow you to rent gear or refill your tank. More importantly, you won\u2019t be able to get in the water.<\/p>\n That\u2019s because a license means you\u2019re equipped with the correct skill set and knowledge of safety procedures relevant to your level.<\/p>\n Your certification will also help operators gauge the level of supervision needed.<\/p>\n To give you a clearer picture, here\u2019s a quick list of things you will learn during your certification course:<\/p>\n Generally, a scuba certification doesn\u2019t expire, so it\u2019s worth investing your time and effort in. Once you have that, you can safely explore suitable depths.<\/p>\n 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\u2019ll be second nature to you.<\/p>\n What if I have a certificate but don\u2019t dive as often?<\/p>\n A refresher course may be necessary if you\u2019ve been out of the scene for quite some time. Generally, agencies recommend a refresher if you haven\u2019t dived in the last 6\u201312 months or more.<\/p>\n In this case, dive centers also consider previous diving conditions and the frequency of dives. So, maintain dive logs<\/a> for ease of checking.<\/p>\n Always be upfront about your level of comfort too. After all, you\u2019re the best judge if you need a refresher.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t worry, though. The process is less tedious compared to the initial certification. It usually just takes a few hours to complete.<\/p>\n Nevertheless, a responsible diver has to stay<\/a> updated with new techniques and procedures. A refresher isn\u2019t such a bad idea for this purpose. Be on the lookout as well for publications regarding this matter.<\/p>\n Suppose you’ve been inactive for several years.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Again, most certifications are for life. An exception to this is an instructor license. When you stop teaching, you\u2019ll be required to renew your license before you can teach again.<\/p>\n There are various certification levels when it comes to diving. The most basic of which is the open water diver designed for beginners.<\/p>\n If you have this under your belt, you\u2019re allowed to dive independently. Still, you\u2019re restricted to a maximum depth of 60 feet. You\u2019ll also be able to get air fill for tanks<\/a> and rent diving gear.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n If you don\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n Naturally, a professional diver will accompany you for this. While on it, you will learn some basic skills such as:<\/p>\n\n
How Long Does Scuba Certification Last?<\/h2>\n
What Are the Scuba Certification Levels?<\/h2>\n