Where To Learn To Scuba Dive in Northern Virginia

Once you decide that you want to be a Scuba Diver you then have to decide where you want to complete your Scuba diving certification? There are many places to Learn to Scuba Dive Northern Virginia and like anything else some often many advantages that others do not.

There are three things that are necessary to become a Certified Scuba Diver.  These are known in the industry as the 3 E’s.  The first is Education, a place to learn to scuba dive.  The second is Scuba Equipment, the necessary scuba gear needed to safely scuba dive.  Last and just as important is the Environment or place to go Scuba Diving.

Which Scuba Certification Agency Should I Select To Earn My Scuba Diving Certification?

There are many very good Scuba Certification Agencies.  The Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) is the largest in the world and offers world wide course credibility.  PADI has by far the finest support materials, books, manuals, DVDs,  Videos and course variety than any other Scuba Certification Agency.

There are many others that are also worthwhile.  Scuba Diving International is fast becoming one of the more popular Scuba Agencies.  SDI, like PADI offer an assortment of both recreational and technical scuba courses that are very informative and well put together.  In addition there are other worthwhile organizations like the National Association of Underwater Instructors and Scuba Schools International.  In addition to Scuba Certification Agencies, the Diver’s Alert Network or DAN offers courses in First Aid and Scuba Diver Safety.  The finest of the Dive Centers that offer DAN Training are the DAN Training Centers, which offer the largest variety of DAN courses for both the scuba diver and the Scuba Instructor.

However, PADI followed by SDI are by far the more popular and more widely recognized Agencies.

In What Scuba Equipment Should I Invest?

The second necessary E of Learning to Scuba Dive is Scuba Dive Equipment.  Scuba Equipment ranges from simple masks and snorkels to the more complex Scuba equipment like the wet suit, buoyancy control device and scuba regulator.  Most scuba divers start with the personal equipment (mask, snorkel, boots and fins).  Once they learn to scuba dive they invest in the more traditional scuba equipment: scuba regulator, buoyancy control device (BCD) and computer gauge console.  These items not only make scuba diving easier but safer and in the long run they are very cost effective.

There are some very good brands of scuba diving equipment.  The most popular and most highly rated is Scuba Pro Dive Equipment.  Sherwood Dive Equipment, Zeagle BCD and Aeris Dive Computers are also very well regarded in the dive industry.

Where Should I Go On My Scuba Diving Vacation?

There are literally hundreds of locations that offer very good scuba diving vacations.  Knowing the best of these destinations and what resorts at these locations are the best is also very important.  It takes a specialist to know this and to know the best time of year at each of these destinations.  At Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy a Dive Center in Northern Virginia we specialize in Scuba Trips and Travel throughout the year.  Aquatic Adventures routinely offers scuba travel trips year round to many exotic destinations around the world.

At Which Dive Center Should I Learn To Scuba Dive?

Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy is a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Dive Center, which means that they train not only scuba divers but divers in how to be Scuba Instructors as well.  In addition Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy is a DAN Training Center, making Aquatic Adventures a Dive Industry Leader in Scuba Training, Certification and the important E of Education.

Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy is an authorized Scuba Dealer for Aeris, Dacor, Genesis, Mares, Sherwood, Scuba Pro and Zeagle Diving Equipment and Henderson Wet Suits and DUI Dry Suits.  Aquatic Adventures has a very extensive inventory of quality Scuba Equipment (the second E) and just as important: knowledgeable personnel to assist you in your selection and post purchase servicing.

Aquatic Adventures Award winning scuba travel program is second to none in quality and variety of scuba diving trips or Environment, the last E.  These trips are also lead by a very experienced Scuba Instructor to assist you while on that ever important dive vacation.

Whether you are new to the sport of scuba diving or a veteran with years of experience.  Aquatic Adventures can assist you in all of your scuba diving needs.

Scuba Diving Vacations: Live-a-board Dive Boats

Scuba Diving Trips or Vacations are the end goal of most scuba divers.  It is when the dedicated scuba diver gets to go scuba diving every day without the worry or cares of work or other distractions that makes Scuba Travel so popular.  For those scuba divers who want the most number of scuba dives that they can pack into a vacation then a trip on a live-a-board dive boat may be the perfect vacation.

The Bahamas Live A Board Dive Boat: Aqua Cat

A very popular Live-A-Board in the Bahamas, the Aqua Cat advertises that they offer a large variety of dives; shark feeding dives, blue holes, high speed drift dives, walls and shallow patch reefs. This week long cruise from Nassau, Bahamas to the remote islands of the Exumas, and especially the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, the most pristine area in all the Bahamas.

The Aqua Cat is a 102 foot long catamaran, offering stability and comfort.  This is the ultimate escape aboard your own private luxury yacht. Imagine sinking your toes into sugar sand, snorkeling or diving among the lemon sharks and sting rays, or hiking the trails of pirates and bootleggers of years gone by. No crowds, no set itineraries, nothing to do but sit back, relax and choose from an incredible variety of live-a-board activities including scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, fishing, sunbathing, and island exploring.

Caribbean Live A Board Dive Boats: The Aggressor

The Aggressor Fleet offers live a board dive boats in many areas of the Caribbean and the Pacific.  They advertise that many experienced divers feel that live-aboard dive boats offer the best value in diving. In most cases, we are inclined to agree. These vessels have been designed, from the keel up, with the diver in mind.

A good live-aboard trip can provide maximum diving pleasure with a minimum of hassle, and take you to dive sites inaccessible from land-based operations. On a quality live-aboard, the facilities for diving are top-notch, the food is great, and the service effective but also relaxed.

For all of us hard driving “Type A’s,” a live-aboard offers plenty of time for much needed rest and relaxation, reading, videos, improving your photography, dining, and pleasant interaction with fellow divers. Of course, that’s AFTER you knock off your four or five hours a day in the water!

Live A Board Dive Adventures: Galapagos

Live A Board Dive Boats have become so popular that many Dive Resorts, like Buddy’s Dive in Bonaire, have expanded to offer live a board dive adventures in more exotic locations like Galapagos.  They now have two fully equipment luxury boats dedicated to touring and scuba diving in the Galapagos Islands.

Scuba Diving Vacations & Travel: Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy

Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy, a Dive Center in Northern Virginia, specializes in Dive Travel.  Scuba Diving Trips are offered 4-6 times a year at Aquatic Adventures. Live A Board Dive Trips are very popular and are offered by Aquatic Adventures every year if possible.  Live A Board Dive Vacations offer the ultimate in diving experience and an opportunity to complete up to 5 dives a day.  There are a number of very good and reputable Live A Board Dive Boats to choose from.  They all offer an opportunity to dive to your hearts content.  The slogan for the Aggressor Fleet to describe live a board diving is: Eat – Sleep – Dive.  And that about sums it up, Live A Boards offer a great Aquatic Adventure.

Scuba Diving Equipment: Maintaining Your Dry Suit

Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy is a Dive Center in Northern Virginia that sells and services Scuba Diving Equipment.  Scuba Diving in Northern Virginia is often done in cold water so Dry Suit Scuba Diving is fairly popular in this area.  Scuba Diving with a Dry Suit allows scuba divers to dive in areas that are often too cold to dive with a wet suit.  It also allows scuba divers to scuba dive earlier or later in the dive season when the weather has turned cold.  Like any other piece of scuba diving equipment, the Dry Suit needs periodic care and some routine maintenance.

Clean Your Drysuit After the Dive

After diving with your drysuit you should make a point of giving it a thorough cleaning before storing it away.  Start by rinsing the outside of the drysuit with fresh water.  Try not to use any cleaners or detergents if possible on your drysuit.  Wipe the inside out with a moist sponge to remove perspiration.  If the dry suit leaked during the dive you might need to hose out the inside of the dry suit as well.  Gently brush the zipper with a soft brush to get grit and sound out of the zipper.  Wash the wrist and neck seals to remove suntan lotion, body oil and any dirt or grime.  Once it is rinsed and wiped clean hang the drysuit upside down to drain and to dry.

Storing Your Drysuit

When you are ready to store your drysuit away, lightly lubricate the zipper with bees wax or zipper lubricant.  Lightly dust your wrist and neck seals with pure talcum powder or corn starch.  Do not use baby powder or other scented powders as they may have petroleum based scents in them that could cause the seals to break down or degrade.  If you store your dry suit on a hanger make sure the zipper is open and let the suit breath to control odors.  If you fold your suit and store it in a bag close the zipper and make sure that you do not fold the suit over the zipper when folding or rolling the suit.  Always keep the zipper flat if possible.

Special Notes Regarding Drysuits

Get special scuba diving training before scuba diving with a Drysuit.  Courses like the PADI Dry Suit Specialist Course will teach you the basics of safely diving with a dry suit.

When diving with a drysuit it is important to use appropriate insulated underwear.  Regular underwear, even if warm enough, is not advisable.  You need underwear that will wick away moisture and perspiration to keep the surface of your body dry and warm.

When you are ready to scuba dive with your dry suit again, make sure to lubricate the zipper and dust the seals with powder to ease getting into the suit without damaging it.

Following these simple suggestions will help you enjoy your scuba diving dry suit for years to come.

Diving with a Drysuit is fun and can open up a whole new world of Aquatic Adventures.

Underwater Photography: Camera Care & Maintenance

Everyone loves to have photographs to help remember those great times.  Scuba diving is no exception and if you are like me you even enjoy underwater photography almost as much as the scuba diving vacation itself.  At Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy, a PADI 5 Star Dive Center in Alexandria Virginia, we offer underwater photography courses on all of our Dive Center sponsored Dive Trips.

Underwater Photography: Camera Care Well Prior to Your Scuba Diving Vacation Trip

Just like you regular scuba diving equipment your underwater camera needs some regular maintenance and care.  Well prior to your trip you need to make sure that your camera and your underwater camera housing are intact and working properly.  This will give you ample time to obtain repairs or replacements prior to your scuba diving vacation trip.

Make sure that the camera functions properly and that you have an ample supply of batteries or extra rechargeable batteries for your dive vacation.   Very carefully remove the camera “O” ring.  You can use a plastic credit card if needed but do not use any metal pics that can scratch the “O” ring groove or the “O” ring itself.  Carefully inspect your camera housing “O” rings for wear.  Replace them if necessary.  Inspect your underwater camera strobe to make sure that it functions properly and that any cables are intact.

Underwater Photography: Camera Care Just Before Your Scuba Travel

Immediately prior to your scuba diving vacation clean your camera housing thoroughly.  Do this while relaxed at home rather then just prior to your scuba dives to prevent errors from rushing or excitement.  Remove the “O” Ring and lightly lubricate it if the manufacturer specifies that it be lubricated.  Some underwater cameras use “O” rings that do not have to be lubricated.  If it does use very little lubrication – only enough to moisten the “O” ring not grease it up.  It should not feel greasy but have a light shine to it.  Too much silicone lubricant can attract grit or sand which can cause the housing to leak.

Use a cotton tip applicator to clean the “O” ring groove.  Use a clean soft lens cloth to clean the camera port both inside and out.  Make sure that dust, lint and finger prints are removed from both the lens port and strobe port.  Protect you camera housing with a protective coat of UV Tech or something similar.  This puts a very thin layer of preservative on the outside of the housing and helps protect the housing from sand and salt residue.

Underwater Photography: Test The Camera

Once you have completed the appropriate service you will want to test the camera housing.  Put a paper towel inside the the housing and submerge it inside a bath tub or swimming pool.  The paper towel will absorb any leakage and it will be readily visible.  If it does not leak you are good to go at this point.  If there is any leakage at all you need to check and find the cause.  I will even test a brand new camera housing just to be on the safe side, before diving with the unit.

Underwater Photography: Traveling With Your Camera

If you underwater camera system is very large then you will want to house and protect it with a hard sided locked case.  If it is smaller the preferred method of travel is to carry the underwater camera system on board the airplane with you to prevent it from being banged around.  I usually with check my underwater camera strobe but always carry the underwater camera and housing on board with me.

Underwater Photograph: If the Worst Happens

In the event that you should experience a leak in your camera system during a scuba dive keep the underwater camera system pointed down.  This keeps the electronics higher and possibly dry.  Surface immediately, making sure that you complete your safety stop, etc.  Once you are out of the water remove the camera from the underwater housing and remove all batteries and the SD Memory Card.  Dry your camera and keep it in a cool air conditioned environment.  Once it is dried it may, if you are very lucky still work.  If not it may need to be repaired by the manufacturer or even replaced.  If you send it back to the manufacturer they may offer you a special replacement price should it not be repairable.

Underwater Photography: Avoid Camera Mistakes & Be A Ecological Photographer

Check out my article Avoiding Underwater Photography Mistakes for some helpful suggestions.   Being an underwater photography also carries a responsibility of being careful and ecologically minded.  For some suggestions check out the article Ten Environmentally Friendly Tips for Underwater Photography.

Underwater Photography: Learn the Right Way

Taking the PADI Underwater Photography or PADI Digital Underwater Photography Courses will help you learn camera basics in a safe and controlled manner.  You will learn many techniques to improve your photography and camera handling.  By taking the PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy course you will learn to better control your buoyancy thus improving your buoyancy and underwater photography as the same time.  The best way to learn is to practice and there is no better place to learn then on your next great Aquatic Adventures.