Learn to Scuba Dive Northern Virginia

Scuba Diving is becoming an increasingly more popular sport.  You can take Scuba Diving Lessons in No Va or many other places around the world.  How do you decide which Scuba Certifying Agency to utilize, which Dive Center to patronize and whether or not to take the on-line Scuba Courses like the PADI E Learning Scuba Course, or take the standard Open Water Course at the local Dive Center.

What Certifying Agency Should I Choose?

There are several very good Scuba Certification Agencies.   While there are several of them the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) is by far the largest.  In addition the educational materials that PADI uses, Manuals, DVDs, CD-ROMS, etc are far superior to anything else on the market today.  You can be sure that by completing your Scuba Diving Certification at a PADI Dive Center you are guaranteed the latest in technology and educational validity.  The best PADI Dive Center is the PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Dive Center, like Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy in Alexandria Northern Virginia.  The PADI 5 Star IDC Dive Center designation means that they not only teach divers how to Scuba Dive but they train all levels including PADI Scuba Instructor Training.

We have already decided that we want to restrict our training to a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Dive Center we also need to ask if the PADI Course Director, or Instructor Trainer, is on staff full time and not just putting in time as a hobby.

Should I take the PADI E Learning or Traditional Version at my PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Dive Center?

Each learning option has its own advantages and disadvantages.  The PADI E Learning is convenient.  You can go on line at your convenience and complete the classroom portion.  It is easy and you can access the  program at any time day or night.  The disadvantage is this program is more costly then the traditional class and pool sessions taken at the PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Dive Center.  In addition the E Learning is very generic and the student deals with a computer, while the traditional class has live Instructors to personalize the course and directly answer questions.  Many Scuba students are taking the Scuba Lessons in Northern Virginia because they have a Scuba Diving Vacation planned and want to Scuba Dive while there.  The traditional Scuba Classes in Northern Virginia are taught with live Instructors who can tell you what to expect while on this trip.  That is not available with the E Learning course.

Lastly, when you complete your E Learning you no longer have access to the on line course.  When you take the traditional Scuba Course you have your book and perhaps your DVD to look at in six months as a review when you go on your next Scuba Vacation.

At What PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Dive Center in Northern Virginia Should I Learn To Scuba Dive?

Selecting a Dive Center requires a little bit of homework on your part.  First you can look on line or ask friends what PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Dive Centers are in the area?  Once you find a few look at their webpages.  Today, almost everyone has a webpage but do they take the time to talk to you and answer questions right on line or do they make you call them for answers.  Do they break down each class offered and what is involved?  Do they tell you all of the cost involved?  Many Dive Centers will list the cost of the classes but will not list the cost for accessory items like the student kit or training materials.  Many will not tell you what to expect to pay for personal equipment.  A Dive Center that cares will let you know up front “what it will cost and how long it will take to obtain your Scuba Diving Certification.”

Look to see if you know anyone who has patronized the Dive Center and get their input.  A quality Dive Center, like Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy in Northern Virginia, will have a long list of happy customers to recommend their services.

Last, perhaps the most important part is to talk to them yourself.  The best thing you can do is visit the PADI 5 Star IDC Dive Center yourself.  A quality Dive Center will be clean and neat and will have a very good assortment of Scuba Diving Classes and will have on hand a very good assortment perhaps the best assortment of  Scuba Diving Equipment Northern Virginia.  Do they offer Scuba Diving Travel?  Since we have decided that a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Dive Center is the best we want to make sure that the PADI Course Director or Instructor Trainer works at the Dive Center full time not just as a hobby.

When you speak with them are they knowledgeable about Scuba Diving and Scuba Dive Training?  Do they answer your questions or just tell you what they offer not what you might want?  Are they interested in your or just the sale?  These might sound simplistic but if you find a Dive Center that passes all of these tests you have found a true keeper of a Dive Center.

Do I complete my Open Water Training Dives locally or On Vacation?

We said earlier that many people in this area are taking Scuba Lessons because they are going on a Scuba Diving Trip and they have the choice of completing their Open Water Course Dives either locally or while on their vacation.  Which is better?

This is another issue of there are advantages to each option.  Obviously diving in the Caribbean would be more fun but it is much more expensive to complete the Open Water Course dives on vacation then locally.  In addition if you do the dives on vacation you will spend two of your diving days doing skills rather then exploring the reefs.  When you complete your Open Water Course dives locally you are diving with the Instructor and Divemaster you had in the pool.  You know them and they know you, your strengths and weaknesses and are better able to work with you individually.  Lastly and perhaps most important, you will learn better by diving locally.  Since Northern Virginia has colder water then the Caribbean you will wear a full wetsuit when Scuba Diving here.  This will help you better learn your buoyancy and navigational skills then diving in the Caribbean would.

It’s Time To Get Out And Dive

Now that you know how and where to take your Scuba Diving Lessons, there is nothing stopping you.  It is time to get wet and take your Scuba Diving Lessons.  Remember your next Aquatic Adventure starts here.

The Best Scuba Diving Equipment in Northern Virginia – Buying a Buoyancy Control Device or BCD

Why Should I purchase a BCD and not rent one?

Deciding to purchase Scuba diving equipment rather then renting it is a big decision and on of the best ones that you as a Scuba Diver will ever make.  And of all of the major pieces of Scuba Equipment in Northern Virginia the first to purchase is your Buoyancy Control Device or BCD.   Why is the BCD even more important to purchase then a regulator?  The answer is that your BCD comes in sizes and regulators do not.  Since we are all built differently and no two of us are exactly alike finding a good buoyancy control device that fits properly is hard to do and almost all of us would be better off with our own.  One that fits us properly rather then just wearing a rental BCD that probably does not fit exactly as it should.  Another reason is that men and women are obviously built differently.  Most resorts have generic BCD’s available for rent.  When on vacation you use what they have on hand whether it fits perfectly or not.  Consequently, rental BCD’s do not give you the control that your own Buoyancy Control Device would.

Selecting Scuba Diving Equipment Northern Virginia – What Buoyancy Control Device should I purchase?

This is an important question because Scuba Diving Northern Virginia is different then scuba diving elsewhere.  Why?  For one thing the water locally in Northern Virginia is colder then elsewhere so Scuba Diving Northern Virginia requires a heavier wetsuit then elsewhere.  A heavier wetsuit means that the Scuba Diver needs more weight to counter the thicker wetsuit.  Consequently, since the diver is using more weight the Buoyancy Control Device in Northern Virginia needs more lift then a BCD used in warmer waters like the Caribbean.

The trained staff at a Northern Virginia Dive Center like Aquatic Adventures will know this and help you select a BCD that can be used locally as well as on a Scuba diving vacation or trip to places like the Caribbean.

What Type of Buoyancy Control Device Should I Purchase?

There are several types of Buoyancy Control Devices and selecting the proper one for yourself is not overly difficult.  Start by selecting a local dive center that has a good assortment of quality brands of Scuba Equipment.  Scuba Pro Dive Equipment and Zeagle Diving Equipment are two of the finer lines of Buoyancy Control Devices available.  Zeagle Diving Equipment specializes in rear inflation BCD”s while SCUBA PRO has both jacket style BCD’s and rear inflation BCD’s.

Jacket Style BCD’s are the most popular and part of the reason for that is they have been around longer.  Another reason is that most dive centers and resorts use less expensive jacket style BCD’s in their rental line and people very often tend to purchase what they are most familiar with.

Jacket style BCD’s tend to be less expensive then the rear inflation BCD’s.  Since the jacket style BCD has a bladder that wraps completely around the diver it sometimes squeezes the diver when inflated and creates more drag when diving.  The rear inflation BCD has a bladder behind the diver so it is more comfortable and has less drag and resistance in the water.

Both styles are acceptable.  If you want a more traditional BCD, are not concerned with drag and resistance, and like feeling the squeeze so you know how much air you are putting into the BCD and want something a little less expensive then the jacket style BCD is perfect for you.  If you want less drag and resistance, to be more horizontal at depth and desire a more streamlined BCD for both diving and for packing then the rear inflation BCD is the way to go.

What is the Most Important Feature of a Buoyancy Control Device?

The single most important feature is how well it fits followed closely by does it have enough lift?  You will spend a considerable amount of time in your BCD so it should fit very comfortably.  Women especially have problems with fit and unless they are close in size to a man they should look for a BCD specifically built for a women.  If the BCD is uncomfortable it will effect your diving.  If you are concentrating on the discomfort  you will not be concentrating on diving (time, depth, etc) and you will also not be enjoying yourself as much.  The issue of lift we spoke about earlier.  Since most of us scuba dive in many different areas we often have different exposure protection for different areas and that changes the amount of weight that we might wear on a dive.  Our Buoyancy Control Device must be able to accommodate all of these.  It is far better to have more lift then you need rather then too little.

What Are Some of the Best Buoyancy Control Devices Available Today?

In the jacket style BCD the Pro Glide BCD by Scuba Pro Dive Equipment is perhaps the finest on the market.  The Avid BCD by Sherwood Diving Equipment is also an excellent jacket style BCD.  In the rear inflation Buoyancy Control Devices the Knight Hawk is an excellent BCD designed for men.  The Lady Hawk is the women’s version and both are made by Scuba Pro Dive Equipment.  Zeagle Diving Equipment makes the Stiletto for men and the Zena for women.  Both of these are excellent BCD’s and are modular so they can be custom fitted by the Dive Center.

A Final Word About Buoyancy Control Devices:

Which ever Buoyancy Control Device that you select make sure that you have seen it, held it and tried it on before purchasing it.  Always buy from a Dive Center and not on-line, that way you know the people who are helping you are divers and know dive equipment and not telephone order takers, who probably are not.  Be sure that the Dive Center is an authorized dealer for the brand Buoyancy Control Device that you are buying, like Aquatic Adventures in No Va.  Last, but not least, make sure that the Dive Center fits and adjusts the BCD before you leave the Dive Center.

Now, go out and enjoy that next great Aquatic Adventure!

SCUBA Diving Lessons Northern Virginia: Children & Youth Scuba Diving Lessons

Twenty years ago Scuba Diving was strictly an adult sport.  While there has always been a Junior Open Water Scuba Diver Certification available the number of children  Scuba Diving has been very limited.  As our population ages, however, the single Scuba Divers of 20 years ago are now parents looking to share the love of Scuba Diving with their children and are consequently seeking Children & Youth Scuba Diving Lessons.

Finding a Dive Center that offers Scuba Lessons for Children in Northern Virginia

Does the Dive Center offer Scuba Classes for Children?

Finding a Dive Center in Northern Virginia is the first step.  However, not every Dive Center is skilled at providing Scuba Lessons for Children.  Teaching children takes extra patience and understanding.  Children have a shorter attention span then adults and often do not understand many of the descriptive words in the Scuba Diving Manual so extra explanation is often required. Young children aged 10 or 11 will often need a private Scuba Instructor in the pool.  Does the Dive Center you are looking at have that available?

Does the Dive Center offer Scuba Equipment for Children?

In addition since most children are smaller then the average adult they require special Scuba Equipment.  Scuba Equipment for children is not something that just any Dive Center has.   Dive Centers that specialize in Scuba Classes for Children will have this equipment on hand.  Some of the equipment needed for children are wetsuits for children, Buoyancy Control Devices for children and even Scuba Regulators for children are fitted with shorter hoses and smaller mouthpieces.

What Scuba Courses for Children are available?

There are many Scuba Courses for Children available today.  PADI Seal Team is available for children eight and nine years old.  Some of the skills learned on Scuba in Seal Team is how to breath underwater, clearing your mask, recovering a regulator, how to equalize your ears and basic buoyancy skills.  Children who have participated in PADI Seal Team have a big jump start over other children when they later start the PADI Junior Open Water Course.

Children who are 10 and 11 years old can take the PADI Junior Open Water Diver Course and receive a limited certification.  They must dive with an adult buddy and are taught to dive to a depth of 40 feet maximum.  Children who are 12, 13 & 14 years old receive the standard Junior Open Water Diver certification.  These children still must dive with an adult buddy but are certified to dive to a depth of 60 feet.  Those that have taken and completed the PADI Junior Advanced Open Water Course can dive to a depth of 70 feet.

There are also a variety of Specialty Dive Courses available for children.  Junior Underwater Photography, Junior Night Diver, Junior Underwater Navigation, Junior Equipment Specialist and so forth.   A child between the ages of 12 and 14 who completes Junior Rescue Diver, five PADI Junior Specialty Diver Courses and has 50 logged dives qualifies for the PADI Junior Master Scuba Diver Certification.

Boy Scouts of America Scuba Diving Merit Badge

Scuba diving for children has become so popular that the Boy Scouts of America has even created a Scuba Diving Merit Badge.   This is fast becoming one of the more popular Merit Badges for Scouts.  Sea Base is a high adventures Boy Scout camp that affords Scuba Diving opportunities for Scouts.  Many Boy Scouts will prepare for a summer excursion to Sea Base by first becoming Scuba certified at their local Dive Center.  Aquatic Adventures in Alexandria Northern Virginia has helped several Boy Scout Troops prepare for Sea Base by providing Scuba Certification courses for Boy Scouts.  Girls Scouts has an IPP Badge for Girl Scouts who try scuba diving.

Getting  Your Children Certified as a Junior Scuba Diver

Scuba Diving for Children begins with finding a local Dive Center that specializes in Scuba Instruction for children.  The Dive Center must have an inventory that includes Scuba Diving Equipment for Children and a staff of Instructors that are comfortable and enjoy working with children.  Look for a quality local Dive Center like Aquatic Adventures in Alexandria Virginia .   Check out the Dive Center to make sure that all of these amenities are available.  Talk to others who have taken classes and purchased equipment for their recommendations as to the Best Dive Center in Northern Virginia and then jump in.

The Best SCUBA Equipment in No Va – Selecting your SCUBA Regulator in Northern Virginia

Your Scuba Regulator is one of the most important pieces of Scuba diving equipment that you will purchase.   Start by selecting a Scuba Dive Center in Northern Virginia, Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy, that you trust and that has a good inventory of quality Scuba Diving Equipment in stock.   The exact type of Scuba Regulator or exact model will vary according to the type of Scuba diving you will do.  The following are some questions that you can ask to help you select that perfect Scuba Regulator.

Balanced or Non Balanced Scuba Regulator in Northern Virginia ?

The first decision that you need to make is whether or not your Scuba Regulator is balanced or non-balanced.  A non-balanced Scuba Regulator breaths harder the deeper you dive and as your Scuba Cylinder or Tank gets lower in pressure.   Most rental regulators that are used by Dive Centers and Dive Resorts are non-balanced.  They are less expensive and easier to maintain.  Most Scuba Divers, however, will prefer to use a balanced Scuba Regulator because it is easier to breath and is better preforming.

Environmentally Sealed Scuba Regulator in Northern Virginia or non environmentally sealed?

Another question regarding your Scuba Regulator that needs to be addressed is whether or not your Scuba Regulator is environmentally sealed or not?  Your Scuba Regulator needs to know how deep you are diving so it knows exactly how much air to pump.  The easiest way to have a hole in the first stage so that the water that you are diving in will push against the spring in the Scuba Regulator telling it how deep you are.  This works well but by having sea air enter the Regulator salt and grit can also enter. A very good Scuba Regulator that is not environmentally sealed is the Mares Diving Equipment Abyss Regulator.

In very cold environments this can lead to the regulator free flowing or pumping air out of control.  Divers who dive in colder climates, like Northern Virginia, will want an Environmentally Sealed Scuba Regulator.  This seal keeps the water out of the first stage but allows the water to press against a piston or diaphragm that will transmit the depth information.   Good examples of this is the Sherwood Diving Equipment SR-1 Scuba Regulator or the Zeagle Diving Equipment DS-V Regulator.  Another option for Scuba Regulators that are used in colder climates is to purchase a Scuba Regulator that has heat sinks built into it.   The Scuba Pro Diving Equipment Mk25 Scuba Regulator is one of the highest rated Scuba Regulators on the market and it is not environmentally sealed but does have heat sinks.  The SCUBA PRO Diving Equipment MK 25 regulator is used world wide including Canada and other cold water areas without problems.  The SCUBA PRO Diving Equipment MK 17 regulator is environmentally sealed for those who prefer that option, and is rated as an exceptional Scuba Regulator.

Nitrox Compatible Scuba Regulator in Northern Virginia?

The question about whether or not to dive with Nitrox or Enriched Air is an on going one.  Many divers prefer to use Enriched Air to obtain longer dives and to feel less tired when Scuba Diving.  Not all regulators can be used with Enriched Air.  Since the Northern Virginia area is reasonably close to a lot of good wreck dives it is very popular in this area.  When purchasing a Scuba Regulator in No Va it is worthwhile making sure that the Scuba Regulator is compatible with Enriched Air.

The Zeagle Diving Equipment DS-V Scuba Regulator is compatible with Enriched Air.  The Sherwood Diving Equipment SR-1 Scuba Regulator is also compatible with Enriched Air as are all of the SCUBA PRO Diving Equipment Scuba Regulators such as the MK25, MK 17 and the MK11.

How much can you expect to pay for a Scuba Regulator in Northern Virginia?

Scuba Regulators in Northern Virginia,  are available in a variety of different prices.  The non-balanced Scuba Regulator, that we discussed above, runs less then $300.00.  Good examples are the Sub Gear Diving Equipment Aruba Scuba Regulator that retails for only $230.00 and the SCUBA PRO Diving Equipment MK2 Plus Scuba Regulator that retails for $293.00.  Balanced Scuba Regulators can be broken down price wise into moderate price and high performance.  Perhaps the best moderate priced Scuba Regulator is the Sub Gear Diving Equipment Bonaire Scuba Regulator.  It retails for only $362.00 and is rated as a “Brest Buy” Scuba Regulator by Scuba Gear Reports.  High Performance Scuba Regulators tend to be more expensive.  The Sherwood Diving Equipment SR-1 Scuba Regulator sells for $650.00 at Aquatic Adventures while the “Best of the Best Rated”  SCUBA PRO Diving Equipment Mk25 Scuba Regulator sells for $695.00.  The environmentally sealed SCUBA PRO Diving Equipment Mk17 Scuba Regulator sells for $725.00.

Deciding on what is the Best Scuba Equipment in Northern Virgina and what Scuba Regulator to purchase?

Now that you have all of the facts at your disposal you should weigh the respective information as it relates to you and the Scuba Diving you will do.  Take into consideration the amount and type of Scuba Diving, the type of Scuba Regulator that meets your Scuba Diving needs, and the cost of the Scuba Regulator.  Now you should be able to select the Best SCUBA Equipment in No Va and be able to start by selecting what you feel is the Best SCUBA Regulator in Northern Virginia.

Selecting the Best SCUBA Dive Equipment – Northern Virginia

Most SCUBA Divers initially learn to scuba dive with rental equipment.  Once they start to become more experienced and more proficient the majority of them make the decision to invest in better quality SCUBA Equipment for themselves.   At this point they really become a SCUBA Diver and should be congratulated and welcomed to the SCUBA diving community.

The Best Scuba Dive Equipment – is found at the Best Dive Center

Since there are so many quality brands of SCUBA Equipment deciding what to choose can be a daunting task.  One of the best ways to start is to select a Dive Center that has quality SCUBA Diving Equipment and whose advice you can trust.  You can search for Dive Centers on line and you can ask your friends who dive, what Dive Center they recommend.  A Google search for Dive Center in Northern Virginia would be one such way.  When you located a few local Dive Centers look to see if they are highly rated.  One of the highest Dive Center ratings is the PADI 5 Star Instructor Development  Dive Center rating.  This signifies a Dive Center that not only teaches SCUBA diving but trains divers to be SCUBA Instructors as well putting them well ahead of the most dive centers.  The Instructor Training is done by a PADI Course Director, the highest rated SCUBA Instructor there is.  Ask if the Course Director on staff works there full time or part time.  A full time Course Director indicates that they are serious about Instructor Training and is very desirable.  Last ask your friends and look for reviews to see if the Northern Virginia Dive Center is highly rated.  Testimonials on their webpage can be an indication of the best Scuba Dive Center in Northern Virginia.

What Brands of Scuba Dive Equipment should you select?

There are a lot of very good brands of Scuba Dive Equipment available.  Which is the best one for you?  This is another area that the Dive Center that you select can be of great assistance.  They probably carry a few highly rated brands and can help you select which is best for you individually.  Scuba Pro Dive Equipment is the highest rated line available.  They make several different Scuba Regulators so which Scuba Regulator is the best one for you?  A knowledgeable sales person at the local Scuba Dive Center can assist you in making that decision based upon the type of diving you do and how often you will Scuba Dive.

Besides Scuba Pro Diving Equipment, some of the other better brands of Scuba Diving Equipment are Sherwood Diving Equipment and Zeagle Diving Equipment.

Most important is that quality Scuba Diving Equipment requires annual servicing and you want to make sure that they Dive Center that you selected is able to accommodate this for you.  Make sure that you have your Scuba Diving Equipment serviced annually.  At Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy-Northern Virginia, we even send out reminders to our customers when it is time to have their Scuba Diving Equipment serviced.  In addition we routinely teach our customers  Scuba Diving Equipment Care that they purchased from us.

Now that we have looked at how to get started the next step is selecting what items to purchase.  Scuba Diving Regulator, Scuba Buoyancy Control Device or BCD and Scuba Diving Gauge Console or Scuba Diving Computer are the three items that most divers will  start with.  We will look at how to select these in our next discussion.

The Best SCUBA Diving Equipment in Northern Virginia – Underwater Cameras

One of my favorite aspects of SCUBA diving is being able to take photographs underwater.  I love photography in general and Underwater Photography is just my favorite.  It allows me to relive my SCUBA diving vacations again and again.  In order to become an Underwater Photographer you first have to get certified as a SCUBA Diver.  In this area you would start by finding a Dive Center like Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy a Dive Center in Northern Virginia. Aquatic Adventures offers both Scuba Classes in Northern Virginia and Scuba Dive Equipment in Northern Virginia.
Once you are Certified as a SCUBA Diver you can start taking underwater photographs right away.  However, some additional Scuba Diving Skills will come in handy.  PADI Specialty Scuba Diver Courses like the PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy which will help improve you buoyancy in the water allowing you to take better photographs without stirring up the bottom.  Needless to say other courses like PADI Underwater Digital Photography will also allow you to learn to take underwater photographs safely and to prevent common underwater photography mistakes.

Now that you have obtained your SCUBA Certification and have taken some PADI Specialty Diver Courses you are ready to start taking photographs underwater.  Good underwater photographs start with good underwater cameras.   Selecting your underwater camera or camera system is not overly difficult.  Locally you find a Dive Center in Northern Virginia like Aquatic Adventures that not only carries Dive Equipment but underwater cameras and underwater camera systems but understands them and can help you and answer you questions regarding both the cameras and underwater photography in general, and will be able to pass on some tips enabling you to take better underwater photographs.

You can start with a housed camera like the Sealife DC-1200 underwater camera and housing which will allow you to start taking underwater photographs almost immediately.   Later on you can add an underwater strobe light and or a wide angle lens to allow you to get closer and thus have more color in your underwater photographs.  You can also start off with a complete underwater camera system like the Sealife DC-1200 Elite Camera System, which contains the camera, housing, strobe and wide angle lens in a deluxe carry bag.

Which ever way you choose the next thing to do is go diving and start taking underwater photographs.  The more you take the better underwater photographer you will become.  Some of the best opportunities to take underwater photos is on one of Aquatic Adventures Scuba Diving Trips.  Remember your next Aquatic Adventure starts with Aquatic Adventures.