‘How To Learn To Scuba Dive?’ And Other FAQs By Non-Divers

Fancy discovering the underwater world in all its natural beauty? (and picking up a really cool hobby!) Scuba diving makes this a possibility. Not sure how to get started? The following guide answers all.

How Do I Start Scuba Diving? Is It Difficult?

As obvious a point as it is, the very first thing you’ll need to do is learn to scuba dive. Before you can begin diving by yourself, you’ll need certification from an officially licensed scuba diving course. Once you’ve passed this, you’ll have met the first and most important requirement to begin diving at your own leisure!

You’re also going to require diving equipment. Your diving instructor should explain exactly what you need but the basics include a cylinder, fins, weights, buoyancy control device, diving computer, regulator, exposure suit and mask. Your instructor will tell you all about what these pieces of kit are for as you learn to scuba dive - these items will be provided on your course, meaning you don’t need to buy them yourself when learning. The only piece of kit we’d recommend buying before your course is a mask to ensure you’re using one that’s comfortable for you.

Once you’ve completed your course, you’ll be able to head out with your fellow divers to start making some epic memories - diving in a group ensures you can keep an eye on each other, whilst ensuring someone snaps some cool shots of you (#DoItForThe Gram). The best way to get started is to join a club like Aquanauts, where you’ll meet like minded people, of all ages, sexes and diving levels etc. to share your new hobby with.

What Are The Health Benefits Of Scuba Diving?

Aside from picking up a really cool hobby, if you learn to scuba dive, you’ll also experience a range of physical and mental health benefits - a win-win really. 

One of the (many) things divers love about this hobby is that it keeps you active with minimal effort involved. As we like to put it, it’s the laziest extreme sport in the world. Yes, diving equipment is heavy, however when you step into the water, the buoyancy creates a feeling of weightlessness, enabling you to move through the water effortlessly.  

Mentally speaking, diving is proven to have a positive impact on mood, and many diving enthusiasts claim to experience a sense of calm and clearness of mind akin to meditation. The calm and natural atmosphere, as well as the focus on breathing are known to have a significant impact on levels of stress and anxiety. So, if you need some relaxation and a bit of zen in your life, you should absolutely learn to scuba dive. 

Is Scuba Diving Dangerous? What Are the Risks?

Whilst there are minimal risks to diving, as there are with any sport, injuries or incidents are incredibly rare, and so this isn’t something to be nervous about. Within your training you’ll be taught how to ensure you don’t end up in a sticky situation, or, in the unlikely event that you do, how to safely react calmly to this.  

Scuba diving is an amazing experience, but it’s essential that you learn to dive with a certified organisation so that you learn your skills safely and to the standard required.

What Are The Physical Requirements for Scuba Diving? 

Before you learn to scuba dive, you’ll be asked to complete a short medical questionnaire by your course organiser. This is to check if you have any existing health conditions that may impact your ability to withstand underwater pressure. There are some considerations you need to take into account before you embark upon your diving career, but if you have any pre-existing medical conditions, we recommend that you check yourself into a diving doctor to book a diving medical. 

Children can learn to scuba dive from the age of 8 on junior courses. On the opposite end of the spectrum, there is currently no such thing as being ‘too old’ to dive. So long as you’re physically fit, with no preventative medical conditions, anyone can learn to scuba dive!

Where Should You Learn To Scuba Dive? 

When deciding where to learn to scuba dive, it’s essential to find a certified diving agency with an instructor that you get on well with and that has a whole lot of passion about what they’re doing. If you’ve heard good reviews from friends then this is a great place to start. Finding an instructor that you trust and gel well with will ensure you learn your skills safely, whilst having fun in the process. It’s also important to consider the options the club offers to dive socially, and for you to progress your skills once you’ve nailed the basics. 

Why Choose Aquanauts to Start Your Diving Experience?

Built on our own love of diving, our mission is to ensure diving remains accessible whilst protecting the ocean that’s home to our hobby in the process. We’ve taken pleasure in teaming up with some amazing local charities over the years, such as Shark’s trust and the Cuttlefish Conservation, to name a couple. We offer a range of PADI courses, from beginner’s open water courses to specialist courses, all taught by our dedicated and experienced team. 

Aside from providing the highest quality training, we’re also a very sociable bunch. We run regular trips in the UK and abroad, offering the chance to meet like-minded people and progress your hobby. We’ve been to Malta & Gozo, Egypt, Tenerife, and in the UK, Scapa Flow and Porth Kerris are just a couple of our favourite spots.  As an Aquanauts member, you’ll receive free basic kit rental on all our trips, as well as free air fills, cheaper boats, cheaper courses, ocean clean up events, club BBQs, reduced nitrox and more!  We’ve invested a lot of money into our school kit recently, with different styles, shapes and sizes giving divers more scope to try that new piece of equipment they’ve been toying with buying. As part of our Aquapoints system, you can also collect credits when you make a purchase - these can be used to contribute to the cost of new equipment, or your next adventure!

Keen to get started? Please don’t hesitate to give us a call or drop us a message. In the meantime, why not check out our most recent adventures on our Instagram?