Learn to Scuba Dive: The Scuba Diving Merit Badge

Scuba Diving is an activity that appeals to people of all ages.  For years almost all scuba divers were young adults.  Now as our population ages, and we marry and have children of our own, it is only natural to want to do things as a family.  Since the minimum age to obtain Junior Scuba certification is ten years old, more and more children are enrolling in scuba diving training.

Since the Boy Scouts of America have long promoted outdoor adventures, Sea Base, the Boy Scouts Florida and Bahamas based summer camps have provided opportunities for Boy Scouts and Adventure Scouts to enjoy scuba diving.  It was only a matter of time, but after much research, The Boy Scouts of America instituted a Scuba Diving Merit Badge in December of 2009.

At Aquatic  Adventures, a Dive Center in Northern Virginia, Children and Youth Scuba Diving Lessons are very popular.  With the popularity of Sea Base our programs for Scuba Diving for Scouts is also becoming very popular.

Scuba Diving Merit Badge Requirements

Just becoming a Certified Scuba Diver is not sufficient to earn the Scuba Diving Merit Badge.  In addition the Scout needs to learn about Scuba Diving problems and potential injuries and their prevention and first aid.  The First Aid Merit Badge is also required.  The Scout will also learn about possible careers in scuba diving and the importance of the buddy system and underwater communications or sign language.  Lastly, the Scout learns about the ocean ecosystem and how they might impact us.

The Boy Scouts of America Scuba Diving Merit Badge is a worthwhile endeavor for the young Boy Scout or Adventure Scout.  Scuba Diving is a hobby that youth can partake of with their parents for many years to come.  Beside learning fun skills, it often opens up avenues for future career endeavors.

Frequently Asked Questions About Learning to Scuba Dive

Learning to Scuba Dive is not difficult and is fast becoming more and more popular.  There is some confusion about the process and that often keeps prospective scuba divers from taking the plunge.  To help avoid this problem today we will discuss some of the more popular questions that prospective scuba divers often ask.

Do I Need To Be A Good Swimmer To Learn To Scuba Dive?
Not at all.  You be able to swim non-stop for 200 yards using any stroke or combination of strokes that you prefer.  You should also be able to tread water or float in place for ten minutes.  It is not necessary to be an Olympic swimmer, just that you not be afraid of the water.

Do I need to have a physical examination before taking scuba lessons?
Once you have enrolled in your scuba course you will be given a student folder with a “Medical History” questionnaire.  If none of the conditions listed pertain to you, then no further action is necessary.  If, however, you answer, “yes” to any of the questions, you will be given a “Medical Release” to take to your physician.  It is required that this release be signed by a physician prior to starting your pool or open water training.  The purpose of the “Medical Release” is for your safety, to ensure that you would not be putting yourself at risk.

How long does my certification last?
Your certification card has no expiration date.  It is, however, recommended that you stay proficient in regards to your scuba skills.  If you have not scuba dived in awhile it would be prudent to take a “Scuba Review Course” to refresh both your scuba knowledge and skills.

What is involved in Learning to Scuba Dive?
In order to learn to scuba dive and obtain your Scuba Certification, you take the Open Water Scuba Course.  This course has two distinct parts.  The first is class & pool where you learn the dive theory necessary to safely scuba dive and the basic skills involved in scuba diving.  Once you complete the class and pool portion you will complete 4 open water dives with your Scuba Instructor.  This is like the road test and you will demonstrate that you have mastered the skills enabling you to scuba dive without an Instructor.

What happens during the Open Water Certification Dives?
The Open Water Certification Dives are not a test.  You can only accomplish so much in the limited space of a swimming pool.  The Open Water Dives are an opportunity for you to experience the vastness of open water and simultaneously perfect your scuba skills.

There are four dives for the Open Water Certification.  While all of the dives are fun, the first dive is strictly a “fun dive.”   You are taken on tour by your Instructor so that you can see what scuba diving really is.  The next three dives will start with a few of the basic skills that you learned in the swimming pool.  You will not be asked to do anything that you have not done before.  After completing the few skills you will again go on a “fun tour” of the dive site, being accompanied by a member of our highly trained professional staff.

Where do I go To Learn To Scuba Dive?
You will want to find a reputable Dive Center in the area that you live or near where you will be traveling.  The Professional Association of Dive Instructors or PADI is the largest scuba certification agency in the world and a PADI Dive Center is a good place to start.  Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy, a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Dive Center in Alexandria, Virginia offers not only beginner certification but also offers all levels of PADI Scuba Certification from beginner through Instructor Level.

After obtaining my Open Water Certification, what course should I take next?
No question, take the Advanced Open Water Course (AOW) as soon after as you can. The AOW course is not restricted to advanced divers; it is a continuation of the Open Water course and is perfect for the newly certified diver.  It is only one night of classroom and five dives under the supervision of your instructor.  In one short weekend you will not only double your experience, but you will encounter new types of diving.  Underwater navigation, night diving, deep diving and other areas of diving interest, such as photography and wreck diving await you.

Scuba Diving Equipment: The Snorkel

The snorkel is perhaps the simplest piece of Scuba Diving Equipment and also one of the most controversial pieces of Dive Equipment.  The snorkel itself is simply a plastic tube approximately 16 – 18 inches long and about 7/8 inches in diameter.  It is usually has the overall shape of the letter “J”.

Snorkels are used by scuba divers on most every dive.  A snorkel makes diving easier and more enjoyable.  Quality scuba snorkels, such as those by AERIS Diving Equipment, Mares Diving Equipment, Sherwood Diving Equipment and Scuba Pro Diving Equipment are constructed of high impact plastics.  They are slightly longer in length than a snorkeling snorkel to compensate for the scuba diver being slightly lower in the water.  Good snorkels have smooth inner surfaces to reduce drag and enhance ease of breathing.  The snorkel is usually purchased by the diver when they learn to scuba dive and is a required piece of Scuba Diving Equipment in almost all Dive Training.

Snorkel Options:
Snorkels with Purge Valves:

Snorkels are available in a variety of styles.  Most snorkels today have a Purge Valve.  A purge valve is a thin membrane or wafer that forms a one way valve at the bottom allowing water to drain out but not re-enter.  The purge valve makes a snorkel much easier to clear water from and thus easier to use.

Flexible or Contour Shaped Snorkels

While the overall shape of a snorkel is always a “J” shape the shaft can be either contoured to lock in the “J” shape or it can be flexible so the mouthpiece portion of the snorkel falls away when not being used.  The contour snorkel is used primarily by snorkelers who do not scuba dive since the snorkel is almost always in their mouths.

Scuba divers alternate between having a snorkel or the scuba regulator in their mouth.  The contour snorkel very nicely falls out of the way when using the scuba regulator so scuba divers usually prefer the Flexible Snorkel.

Snorkel Tops:
Open Top - Semi Dry Snorkel - Dry Snorkel

Open Top Snorkel: The least expensive snorkel has an open top.  This is probably the most commonly used snorkel due to the lesser costs involved.  This works well but in heavy rain or in waves water can run down the top of the snorkel barrel.

Semi Dry Snorkel: Many snorkels have a deflector on the top of the snorkel barrel.  This deflector is designed to deflect rain or waves and to keep the water from running down the barrel of the snorkel.  This is a useful feature and only adds about $10.00 to the price of the snorkel.

Dry Snorkel: Many snorkelers prefer to have a Dry Snorkel.  These snorkels have a lever or rotating piece that actually seals the top of the snorkel if the diver’s head goes under water.  This is a very useful feature for those who are just not comfortable with water in their snorkel.  This feature adds about $15.00 – $20.00 to the price of the snorkel but is well worth it if water in the snorkel bothers you.

Why Use A Snorkel When Scuba Diving?

At the very beginning of this article we stated that the snorkel was a controversial piece of scuba diving equipment.  Scuba Divers routinely use a snorkel to get from the back of the boat to the anchor line where they will descend.  The snorkel allows the divers to conserve their air supply while on the surface.  If the scuba diver is diving from shore he will snorkel out until he gets to deep water and will then submerge.  Again the snorkel saves air in the cylinder allowing for longer and safer bottom times.

All of the major scuba certification agencies require the use of a snorkel during scuba diver training.   This is for both practical and safety reasons.  Many scuba divers, however, prefer not to use a snorkel.  The reasons for this is to just carry one less piece of equipment.  The snorkel, however, is a safety item.  If the diver has a long surface swim or needs to wait a long period of time for the boat to pick them up the snorkel is not only convenient but can be life saving in the presence of severe waves or chop.  I personally, always scuba dive with a snorkel.

Dive Computers – What to look for when buying a Dive Computer

A few years ago most scuba divers thought that at some point in their scuba diving  experiences, if they were lucky, they would scuba dive enough to justify the purchase of a dive computer.   Now it is not a question of if, but more a question of when to buy that dive computer.  Dive computers are a very popular piece of Dive Equipment.

Why Dive With A Dive Computer?

Scuba divers need to know how deep they are diving and how long they can stay at that depth to avoid problems with decompression sickness.  Historically Dive Tables have been used to supply that information.  As scuba diving has progressed Scuba Diving computers simplify that chore and does it much more accurately and definitely faster.  Now most recreational scuba divers have already either purchased a dive computer or are planning to do so.  A dive computer makes diving simpler and due to the accuracy of computers it also makes scuba diving safer.  Aquatic Adventures, a Dive Center in Northern Virginia, offers Scuba Travel and Trips throughout the year.   Almost every diver on these Dive Trips uses a dive computer.

What to Look For in a Dive Computer?

Scuba Diving Computers come in many different configurations.  They can be in a console and can include other items like an underwater compass and air gauge.  They can be a wrist model or even built into a wrist watch.  We will look at these options in a later article.  Today we will just look at routine dive computer functions.

Computer Display Size

Your dive computer will double as a timing device, depth gauge and dive planner.  You will use it both on land and underwater.  It is important that you be able to read the display in all of these environments.  I have a prescription mask but many scuba divers do not.  Make sure that you can see the display and can easily read it.  Various dive computers have smaller or larger displays.

Compatible with Enriched Air Nitrox

Enriched air is becoming more and more popular among scuba divers.  Enriched air allows you to dive longer at given depths.  It does, however, require more calculations then diving with air does.  Today most dive computers are Nitrox Compatible.  This feature is well worth the extra few dollars that it costs.

Computer Downloadable

Scuba Divers routinely log or record their dives in a Diver’s Log Book.  This is a way of keeping track of the number of dives that you do.  It also helps you track what weight you used and what thickness wet suit you used in different water temperatures.  A nice dive computer feature is to be able to download this information to your laptop computer.  This allows you to maintain a digital log book and is a very popular feature today.

Adjustable Conservatism

Many dive computers allow you to adjust the computer to determine what degree of conservatism it has.  A more conservative computer gives a greater degree of safety but offers somewhat shorter dive times.  Some computers allow you to adjust the PO2 or oxygen build up in your body.  A higher PO2 allows for longer dive times but then they offer a lower degree of safety.