What’s Involved in
Learning to Scuba Dive?
When and Where? »
Your first step is earning your Open Water Diver certification — becoming what is commonly known as a “certified diver.”
Even if you’ve previously taken part in introductory scuba experiences (commonly known as “resort courses”), you are most likely aware that the best opportunities in diving await those who are fully certified.
Becoming certified consists of two phases: academic and confined-water training; and, open-water training.
Academic/Confined-Water Training
With our unique self-study materials, the adventure can begin the moment you sign up. When you are ready, you’ll attend a small number of classroom and confined water (pool) sessions designed to help prepare you for your actual open-water training dives.
- In the classroom, your instructor will review the information you’ve gained by working through the self-study materials. He or she will bring this information to life with first-hand examples of how divers apply this information on dive vacations and here at home.
- In the pool, your instructor will demonstrate and have you practice diving’s fundamental skills. Like all aspects of learning to dive, pool sessions are fun and enjoyable. See for yourself.
When you’ve completed your academic and confined-water training, you’ll be ready for the final and most important phase of earning your entry-level diver certification: your open-water training dives.
Open Water Training
Open water training consists of four dives conducted over two days. Each of the four sessions consists of the opportunity to apply the skills you mastered in the pool, and to make a guided dive under the supervision of your instructor and his or her assistants. As far as open-water training goes, you have three options:
- During warmer weather, you can join us at nearby Haigh Quarry in Kankakee or Pearl Lake in South Beloit for a weekend of open-water training. These beautiful settings are famous for their convenient parking, easy entries and fascinating underwater wrecks and artifacts. See for yourself.
- Throughout the year, Underseas Scuba Center conducts five-day, four-night trips to the island of Cozumel, off Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. These trips provide a wonderful opportunity to complete your open-water training requirements in one of the Caribbean’s premiere dive destinations. Here are some pictures from a recent trip.
- If you already have a vacation planned to a warm-water destination anywhere in the world, we can provide you with referral paperwork so that you can complete your training at the dive destination of your choice.
And, When You Are Finished…
Once you’ve completed your academic/confined and open-water training, you’ll be awarded your PADI Open Water Diver certification. Bear in mind, however, that this is only the beginning.
As soon as possible, you will want to obtain (as a minimum) your Advanced Open Water Diver and Enriched Air Nitrox Diver certifications. These two ratings will allow you to participate in a much wider range or activities, both here at home and on vacation.
Your learning opportunities don’t stop there. Depending on your interests, you can take further training in activities such as underwater photography or video, and wreck diving. By taking five such Specialty Diver courses, and earning Rescue Diver certification, you can eventually obtain the coveted Master Scuba Diver rating.
When and Where? »
When and Where? »
