Hi Todd,
Let me also give you some recommendations on learning to dive.
                      HOW TO BECOME A SCUBA DIVER
Why Take Scuba Lessons?
Taking recreational  Scuba  diving  lessons  and  becoming a
certified Scuba  diver  is   fun,  exciting,  easy and safe.
Upon   completion   of   your   course,   you'll   receive a
certification card  (known  as  a  "C-card") from one of the
Scuba certification agencies   (PADI, NAUI, SSI, YMCA, etc.)
It's your ticket to the underwater  world.  With a c-card in
hand, you can rent  or  purchase  Scuba  equipment, have air
tanks filled, and take dive  trips  around the world.  As an
example,  the  PADI  certification   card  (and  others)  is
recognized worldwide and never  expires.  Nearly anyone over
the age of twelve who is  in  average physical condition and
who is comfortable in the  water  can learn to dive and join
the thousands of  kids,  and  adults  young  and old who are
currently enjoying this spectacular pastime.
When, Where and For How Long?
At most  dive  centers  regularly  scheduled  classes  start
every month, all year long.    Most classes are scheduled to
meet a couple of times a  week  for  about three weeks.  The
typical   introductory   class   includes   three  classroom
training sessions for about three hours each, three training
sessions in a swimming pool  for about two hours each, and a
weekend of diving to try  out  your new skills.  The classes
are usually offered in the  evenings, but private courses to
fit your schedule  can  be  arranged  with  your  local dive
center.  The weekend of  diving  will either be conducted in
your local diving area,  a  lake,  quarry, ocean, or perhaps
you would prefer to make  your  open water checkout dives as
a  part  of  a   vacation   in   an   exotic  tropical  dive
destination.   To  ensure  quality  instruction and personal
attention, class size is  generally limited to 8 new divers.
Private instruction is available  from most dive centers for
an additional fee.
How Much Does It Cost?
The cost of learning  to  dive  will  vary by area, but here
are some basic  guidelines  you  can  follow.  The basic fee
should include  your  registration  materials, your textbook
and course  materials,  certification  fees,  and the use of
all  scuba  equipment  needed  for  the  course.    Students
usually have to  purchase  their  own  mask,  fins, snorkel,
wetsuit booties and weightbelt for the course, and most dive
centers will give  their  new  students  a discount on these
items.  Most dive  stores  charge  around  $300 for the open
water introductory class as  described above, but if you see
a class advertised for a whole  lot less, check carefully to
see what is *NOT* included  in  the  price.  Call several of
the dive centers in your area,  and then visit them and talk
with their  instructors.    The  most  important  factors to
consider when choosing where  to take your lessons should be
the quality of the instruction and a sense of
"comfortableness" with the dive center and your instructor.
How Well Do I Have to Swim?
For recreational sport diving,  it's more important that you
are comfortable in the water  than  to have Olympic swimming
skills,  but  you  do  need  to  have  some  basic  swimming
ability.  The swimming  evaluation  involves  treading water
for a brief  period  of  time  and  a  short  swim using any
swimming stroke that you choose.
Are There Any Medical Issues To Consider?
To become a recreational  Scuba  diver,  you must be in good
physical health.  There   are    some   medical  conditions
that  could  present  problems,  to  any    diver  under the
water.  Most dive instructors  will ask  their  students  to
complete a medical questionnaire   and  if  any   potential
problem  areas  are uncovered,  the  student  will  need  to
get  a  physician's clearance before diving.
Where Can I go Diving After Being Certified?
Diving opportunities  exist  all  over  the  world, and your
local dive center will likely  sponsor trips to a variety of
destinations.   Your  dive  center  may  also sponsor a dive
club where  you  will  have  the  opportunity  to meet other
divers and participate in diving-related activities.
What Other Training Opportunities Exist?
Your introductory  course  is  just  the  beginning  of your
knowledge about  the  sport  of  Scuba  diving.   Additional
courses are  available  to  teach  you  the  skills of wreck
diving, underwater photography,  night  diving, deep diving,
underwater hunting, etc.  Check  with your local dive center
for more information.
See you underwater!
             OOo O                     Steve Elliot
             O oO                 FidoNet Scuba Moderator
              o                   [\] Diver Down BBS [\]
       _____ o o                    Ft. Lauderdale, FL
      (_/-\_)..                        954-436-3937
     ===(O).                        selliot@attmail.com
--- Babewatch patrol
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