Learn to Scuba Dive in Northern Virginia – The PADI Divemaser

When you decide to Learn to Scuba Dive Northern Virginia you start your Dive Training by finding a local Dive Center in Northern Virginia.  There you take the Open Water Course.  If you are like me you will become “hooked” on scuba diving and will want to continue your scuba diving education.

If there is any one scuba diving certification level that has a magic ring to it, that would be the Divemaster Certification.  This is true where ever you scuba dive, not just in Northern Virginia.  The Divemaster is regarded at the epitome of scuba diving skill, knowledge and perfection.   The PADI Divemaster is the first rank of  scuba diving professional in the PADI system of scuba diving education.

Completing PADI Divemaster Training

Prior to starting your scuba training for PADI Divemaster you will have needed to have completed the PADI Rescue Diver course and have logged at minimum of 40 dives.  When you are ready to begin your Divemaster Training you start by selecting a Dive Center.  Any PADI Dive Center can train a PADI Divemaster but only a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Dive Center, like Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy, in Alexandria, Virginia can also train Assistant Instructors and PADI Instructors as well.

Once you begin the PADI Divmaster course you will be working closely with a PADI Instructor.   In the Divemaster  program you expand your dive knowledge and hone your skills to the professional level.  PADI Divemaster training develops your leadership abilities, qualifying you to supervise dive activities and assist instructors with student divers.  PADI Divemaster is the prerequisite certification for both the PADI Assistant Instructor and PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor certifications.

During the PADI Divemaster program, you learn dive leadership skills through both classroom and independent study. You complete water skills and stamina exercises, as well as training exercises that stretch your ability to organize and solve problems as well as help others improve their scuba. You put this knowledge into action through a structured internship or series of practical training exercises.  Practical training exercises include assisting in teaching both entry level and continuing education level, supervising certified divers, and experience in both search & recovery and deep diving.

The Training is very thorough and is an enjoyable learning experience.

Duties of a PADI Divemaster

After becoming certified as a PADI Divemaster you will be authorized to:

• Supervise both training and non-training-related activities by planning, organizing and directing dives
• Assist a PADI Instructor during the training sessions for any PADI Diver course
• Conduct the PADI Skin Diver course and PADI Discover Snorkeling program
• Conduct the PADI Discover Local Diving experience
• Conduct the PADI Scuba Review program
• If qualified as a Discover Scuba Diving Leader, independently conduct the PADI Discover Scuba Diving program.
• Earn the PADI Digital Underwater Photographer Specialty Instructor rating to be able to teach the PADI Digital Underwater Photographer specialty.
• Independently guide Open Water Diver course students on the tour portion of Open Water Diver course Training Dives 2, 3 and 4 at a ratio of two student divers per certified Divemaster.
• Accompany Open Water Diver students under the indirect supervision of a PADI Instructor during:
  • surface swims to and from the entry/exit point and during navigational exercises
  • when the instructor conducts a skill, such as an ascent or descent, a Divemaster can remain with other student divers (with an individual student or buddy team)
• Accompany student divers during Adventure Dives or Specialty training dives under the indirect supervision of a PADI Instructor.
• Conduct the PADI Seal Team Aqua-Missions.
• Conduct subsequent dives under an instructor’s indirect supervision for Discover Scuba Diving participants after participants have satisfactorily completed the first dive with a PADI Instructor.
• Teach Emergency First Response courses after successfully completing an Emergency First Response Instructor course

PADI Divemaster is only the first step into what can be a fun and very rewarding way to spend countless hours of scuba diving enjoyment.

Scuba Diving Equipment - the Scuba Mask

For most of us the first piece of scuba equipment that we purchase is the Scuba Mask.  Most of the major pieces of Scuba Dive  Equipment like the scuba regulator, buoyancy control device or BCD, scuba cylinder and the scuba diving wet suit are loaned to you when you are taking your initial scuba lessons.  The personal items, your scuba mask, your snorkel, scuba boots and scuba fins are not.  You are expected to purchase these items.  At Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy, my Dive Center in Northern Virginia, this is exactly what we do in our Open Water Scuba Course, which is the beginner scuba course.

Why Do You Need A Scuba Mask?

Your eyes require an air space in front of them so that your eyes can focus properly.   When we swim or are in the water we no longer have that air space.  Therefore while you can still see, your eyes cannot focus properly and everything is blurry.  Your scuba mask creates this air space in front of your eyes and thus you are able to see while in the water whether your are snorkeling or scuba diving.  It is an essential piece of Scuba diving equipment.

How to fit a Scuba Mask?

Scuba diving masks do not come in sizes like other pieces of diving equipment.  Scuba Masks, do however, come in a variety of different shapes and colors.  It is essential to find a scuba mask that fits properly to prevent water leakage or rubbing.  The trick is to simply try the scuba mask on without the strap.  While it is in place inhale.  While inhaling the scuba mask should stay in place properly without leaking air.  If it does fit properly the next step is to check and make sure that it does not rub on any place on your face that has a bony prominence, like your nose, eye brows or checks.

If it passes these two tests then you can narrow your search by taking into consideration any special features that the ask might offer.

What Features to Look For in a Scuba Mask?

Two Lenses or One Lens?

There are a wide variety of features available in scuba masks.  Some masks have two separate lenses some only on large lens.  Many of the scuba masks with two lenses, but not all, accept prescription lenses.    If you wear glasses a Prescription Mask is a very nice option.  The single lens scuba mask does let in more light.  Many scuba divers feel the extra light lessons any feeling of claustrophobia.  The single lens scuba mask has a lower volume so it is somewhat easier to clear when you flood it with water.

Side Windows or No Side Window?

Some scuba masks offer side windows.  These side windows allow a degree of peripheral vision.  Many divers like this option and many do not care.  Side windows on a scuba mask do tend to increase the price of the mask by about $10.00.  The side windows also increase the volume of the scuba mask and thus it is somewhat harder to clear when flooded.

Swivel Buckles

Another option that is available on a scuba mask is swivel buckles.  The swivel buckles allow the scuba diver to more easily tilt the mask away from your face when you are letting water in the mask to help defog it.  The swivels are nice but not essential.

Comfort and Fit

The single most important feature of a scuba mask is comfort and fit.  If your scuba mask is not comfortable you will find yourself purchasing a new scuba mask far earlier then you might need to do so.  Always try on several scuba masks and when you narrow down the scuba masks according to the available options let comfort and fit be the tie breaker to help you decide.

How to Care For Your Scuba Mask?

When a scuba mask is manufactured the entire mask is sprayed with silicone spray to coat the mask frame and to make it shiny.  This silicone spray also gets on the glass lenses and should be removed.  The best way is to use either some toothpaste or a product called Sea Buff.  Put a little on your finger tips and rub it onto the scuba mask lenses inside and out.  Rinse it off and you are good to go.

Every time you scuba dive or snorkel you need to rinse the mask prior to putting it away.  Be sure and dry the mask and then store it in the hard plastic box that came with the scuba mask.  If you put it in the box without drying it first the scuba mask will mildew.

There are many very good manufacturers of quality scuba masks.  Scuba Pro Diving Equipment, Sub Gear Diving Equipment, Mares, Sherwood Diving Equipment and Aeris Diving Equipment are only a few.

Scuba Dive Equipment in Northern Virginia or anyplace else is expensive but with a little extra care it will last many years.   Equipment care should be a part of any Scuba Classes Northern Virginia or Scuba Classes anywhere for that matter.

Scuba Diving Equipment in Northern Virginia: Scuba Fins

When you first learn to scuba dive in Northern Virginia or anywhere else for that matter most scuba equipment is provided for you during your scuba certification classes.  Your personal scuba equipment: scuba mask, snorkel, boots and scuba fins are not.  You are expected to purchase these items from your Dive Center in Northern Virginia at which you are taking your scuba classes.  Today we want to look at the different types of scuba fins and their differences.

Full Foot and Open Heel Fins

Scuba fins can be broken into many different types: Full Foot Fins and Open Heel Fins.  The full foot fins come with their own foot pocket or shoe.  They usually have a smaller fin blade, which means that you have to work harder.  Full foot fins can only be used in very warm areas and are known as snorkeling fins.

The Open Heel Fins are by far the more popular scuba fin.  Since they have an open heel or open fin pocket scuba divers wear scuba boots or booties with them.  This has several advantages.  First the fin fits more snugly giving the scuba diver more control over the fin.  Second, the boot is a safety item.  It provides warmth and since scuba divers lose body heat 20-25 times faster in the water then on land this is a very big advantage.

It also is a safety factor.  Scuba divers do not walk with scuba fins.  If scuba diving from shore the diver would walk into the water bare footed until it was deep enough to don the fins and swim.  Sea urchins and sharp coral can easily harm the bare foot so the boot is much safer.  Those scuba divers who dive from a boat have to hand  up their fins before climbing a ladder.  Those in full footed fins then have to climb a wet and often slippery ladder in bare feet, which is uncomfortable and possibly dangerous.  The diver wearing the open heel scuba fin has a boot with a non skid sole for safety and comfort when climbing the ladder.  Thus the open heel scuba fin is by far the most popular and safest of the two.  At Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy, Northern Virginia’s Premier PADI 5 Star Dive Center, we only carry open heeled fins.

Full Bladed Scuba Fin or a Split Scuba Fin?

Scuba Diving Fins come in two  blade styles:  Full Bladed Scuba Fins and the Split Fin.   The split bladed scuba fin is know for its propulsion.  It is perhaps the fasted type of scuba fin.  It does not, however, corner or maneuver very well.  The full bladed scuba fin, in contrast may not be as fast but it does maneuver very well.

Snorkelers who tend to snorkel in a straight line very often prefer a split fin.  Many scuba divers do as well.  They tend to the be scuba divers that like to cover large areas of the reef.  An excellent fin in this category is the Twin Jet Max Pro by Scuba Pro.  It is fast, made of very good quality materials and has a spring steel heel strap for durability.

Those scuba divers who like to explore the reef or wreck in depth (no pun intended) prefer a scuba fin that maneuvers well, thus the full bladed fin.  There are several excellent fins in this category.  The Jet Sport Fin by Scuba Pro is a moderately priced full bladed fin that has an excellent reputation.  The Volo Power  Fin by Mares is known not only for its great maneuverability but for being the fastest of the full bladed scuba fins.

Wreck or Cave Diving Fins

Scuba divers who enter ship wrecks or underwater caves and caverns are concerned with silting or stirring up the bottom silt in these enclosed environments.  They will usually use a very stiff bladed fin and an altered fin kick to control this.  A frog kick instead of a flutter kick is a very common technique when diving in an enclosed environment.  The Bat Fins by Hollis are very popular with this type of scuba diver.

Care of Your Scuba Equipment – Fins

Which ever scuba fin you select you need to maintain it by taking proper care of them.  The fins come with a pocket protector in each pocket.  You remove these when you are scuba diving but should put them back in when not scuba diving.  It is also important to rinse your scuba fins with fresh water after scuba diving.  Inspect the fin straps periodically and always keep a spare fin strap assembly on hand for emergencies.  With a little extra effort your scuba fins will become your best friends and give you many years of devoted service.

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

One of the most important pieces of SCUBA Diving Equipment is the Buoyancy Control Device or BCD.  The purpose of the BCD is to hold your SCUBA cylinder in place.  In addition the BCD provides positive buoyancy on the surface enabling the scuba diver to float with less effort.  At depth by adding air into its bladder it helps the scuba diver achieve and maintain neutral buoyancy, enabling the scuba diver to float effortlessly at depth.  This in turn helps keep the scuba diver at a given depth to maximize enjoyment and minimizes bumping into the coral or wrecks that the diver may be exploring.

The Buoyancy Control Device: A Personally Fitted Piece of Scuba Diving Equipment

Many Scuba Divers ask “What piece of scuba diving equipment should they buy first?”  My response is usually the BCD since it is a personally fitted item.  When ever you go scuba diving it is very important that your BCD fits properly.  If it is too big the BCD will move when you put air in it the BCD, the BCD will move but you will not since it will slip around.  This is not only frustrating but can cause you to over exert, in turn creating other problems.  If it is too small it will squeeze the scuba diver.  This is not only uncomfortable but can prevent the scuba diver from breathing properly.  This can lead to shortness of breath which can be dangerous under water.

Types of Buoyancy Control Devices – Jacket Style & Rear Inflation:

There are two main types of BCDs available today.  The jacket style BCD and the rear inflation BCD.  The jacket style is very popular and is the one most commonly used in Dive Centers for training.  They come in sizes from extra small to extra large.  Proper fit is very important.  Because the jacket fits around the scuba diver, it does increase bulk creating a little more drag and resistance in the water.  You can also feel the air as it goes into the jacket style BCD letting you know how much air you are putting in.  Some of the more popular manufacturers of jacket style BCD’s are Sherwood Diving Equipment, Mares Diving Equipment and Scuba Pro Diving Equipment.

The Rear Inflation BCD is the other main type.  It is becoming increasingly more popular.  Because the rear inflation BCD has its bladder behind you it is much more streamlined then the jacket style and has less drag and resistance in the water.  In addition, since the bladder is behind you and not around you like in the jacket style BCD you do not feel the air going into it.  This takes a little getting used to but in the long run is much more comfortable.  The rear inflation BCD also floats you more horizontally when scuba diving creating much less drag and resistance.  While many scuba equipment manufacturers now make rear inflation BCD’s, like Sherwood and Scuba Pro,  Zeagle Diving Equipment is probably he most well known.

While scuba diving in Northern Virginia is very different then scuba diving in the Caribbean.  Therefore SCUBA Diving Equipment in Northern Virginia, and specifically your Buoyancy Control Device will need more lift in climates then southern climates to offset the thicker wetsuits used in Northern Virginia Scuba Diving.

What features to look for in a Buoyancy Control Device?

There are many worthwhile features that are available for your new Buoyancy Control Device.   Your SCUBA Instructor is someone who may be able to advise you on what to look for.  Weight Integration is a very nice asset.  A scuba diver must wear a weight belt and weights when scuba diving to offset the natural tendency to float.  Some Buoyancy Control Devices are weight integrated and the weight belt is actually built into the BCD.  This is much more comfortable then the old style weight belt and weights.  Another worthwhile option is Trim Weight Pockets in the back of the BCD.  Trim weights allow the scuba diver to adjust the placement of weights to effect his or her trim in the water.  This in turn makes is easier to scuba dive and saves energy.

A third option is really part of the scuba diving regulator: an inline alternate air source.  This replaces the octopus or extra second stage on a scuba regulator.  Many scuba divers like this option since it removes a hose from your scuba regulator making it more streamlined.  Some of the more popular in line alternate air sources are the Air 2 from Scuba Pro Diving Equipment and the Octo Z from Zeagle Diving Equipment.

Where to purchase your Buoyancy Control Device?

Since proper fit of a BCD is so critical, you will want to try it on before buying one.  It is an item that comes in many different styles and sizes, thus you will want to try several different styles on before deciding which one is right for you.  The best place by far to purchase scuba equipment is in the local dive center.  Thus if you live or scuba dive in Northern Virginia you will want to go to a Dive Center in Northern Virginia.  They will have the widest selection on hand for you to try on.  They can often customize and properly fit you with the appropriate piece of scuba diving equipment and instruct you on the proper use and care of the scuba equipment.  At Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy, a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Dive Center in Alexandria Northern Virginia we pride ourselves on our extensive scuba diving equipment inventory, and our ability to not only find the best equipment for each scuba diver but to make sure that they know how to use it properly.

Learn to Scuba Dive in Northern Virginia – The PADI Enriched Air Nitrox Course

Once you learn to scuba dive in Northern Virginia or anywhere else you will eventually want to scuba dive beyond what you already know.  That is why scuba diving continuing education is so popular.  The single most popular PADI Specialty Diver Course is the PADI Enriched Air Nitrox Course.  Nitrox is popular since it allows the diver to stay submerged longer then if diving with air.  This particular PADI Specialty Diver Course is classroom only and does not require any dives, making it easier to complete then almost any other PADI Scuba Courses.

How does Enriched Air Nitrox allow you have longer scuba dives?

Normal breathing air contains roughly 20.9% oxygen and 79% nitrogen.  The amount of time that a diver can stay submerged is determined by the amount of nitrogen that the diver absorbs while scuba diving.  When the scuba diver has absorbed a maximum amount of nitrogen he or she must ascend and end their dive or risk the possibility of decompression sickness.  Since Nitrox has less nitrogen and more oxygen then regular compressed air the diver breaths in and absorbs less nitrogen then when diving with air and can stay submerged longer.  That is the primary reason that the PADI Enriched Air Nitrox course is the most popular of all PADI Specialty Diver Courses.

What are the Benefits of scuba diving with Enriched Air Nitrox?

While longer bottom times is the primary benefit of  scuba diving with enriched air nitrox, there are many other worthwhile benefits as well.  The benefit that I enjoy the most is that I am far less tired when scuba diving with enriched air then when scuba diving with air.  It is very common to see athletes breathing oxygen on the side lines between plays.  They do that since pure oxygen helps them catch their breath faster then breathing air and the oxygen gives them an energy boost so to speak.  Breathing enriched air nitrox during your dive has a similar effect.  Some people have even reported not feeling as cold during the dive when breathing enriched air.

Scuba Equipment and Enriched Air

Most brands of scuba diving equipment in Northern Virginia can be used with enriched air that is less then 40% oxygen without modification.  Scuba Equipment Manufacturers like Mares Diving Equipment, Zeagle Diving Equipment and Scuba Pro Diving Equipment all offer scuba regulators that can be used with enriched air without modification.  Sherwood Diving Equipment has modified all of their new scuba regulators to do the same.  You should, however, check with the manufacturer of your scuba diving equipment to make sure that it is compatible with nitrox.  This is also something that your Northern Virginia Dive Center can do.

Scuba Diving Computers and Enriched Air Diving

Another piece of important scuba diving equipment to consider when diving with enriched air nitrox is a nitrox compatible dive computer.  Manufacturers like Aeris Diving Equipment and Scuba Pro all make scuba diving computers that are compatible with nitrox and make calculating your oxygen and nitrogen exposure very easy to do.  Scuba Dive Computers also make scuba diving much safer.

Enriched Air Nitrox was once considered a fad, it is now a very important part of scuba diving courses and will continue to be so.