FAQ's
A brief history of Scuba Diving:
SCUBA stands for Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. In general, this is a unit that consists of a scuba tank, the cylinder that holds the compressed air that we breath underwater and a regulator, the device that we use in our mouth to breath air from the scuba tank. The modern day equipment that we use for scuba diving was invented in 1942 by Jacques Eves Cousteau and Emile Gagnan. They are known to be the pioneers of scuba diving.
Why should I learn to scuba dive?
The best reason why is because it’s fun! Underwater you will see fish and corals of every color of the rainbow. You can visit old wrecked ships, boats and even airplanes that have met their end under the sea. There is a peaceful quietness underwater with just the quiet sounds of your exhaled bubbles rising to the surface. The underwater world is our last frontier to explore. What diving will do for you is open up entire new vacation destinations for you, your family and friends. And remember, Continental flies to some of the most exciting dive destinations in the world.
Do I have to be a good swimmer?
No, but you should be a reasonably good swimmer. You should feel relaxed being in the water. Is learning to dive difficult? No, not at all. It’s easier than you think. As long as you feel comfortable in the water, are in good health and have a desire to explore the underwater world, it’s as easy as taking a bath.
What does it take to become a certified diver?
The best way to become a certified diver is to go to your local dive shop and tell them you want to learn to scuba dive. There are many different certification agencies that you can get your scuba diving certificate through, (PADI, NAUI, YMCA, SSI, NASDS to name a few) all of which are good. Dive lessons may be with a group or privately at your own pace. The time it takes to achieve your certification varies. In general, lessons consist of 4-6 class and pool sessions. It may take 4-6 days or 4 or 6 weeks, or something in between depending on your needs. A swimming requirement may be apart of the certification process, consisting of a 200 yard nonstop swim and a 10 minute tread/float. Once done with the class/pool lessons, your final open water check out dive to achieve your certification will be done in the ocean or nearby lake. Being a lucky airline employee, you can arrange for this open water check out dive to be done with an instructor in fun places like Cozumel. In the future, CADC hopes to have an in-house instructor that will be able to offer dive instruction. In the mean time, contact us to see if we have arrangements with an instructor
Is scuba diving expensive?
Learning to dive will probably cost from $100-$300. It depends on where you get certified. You will want to invest in some of the basic equipment like a mask, fins, and snorkel ($50-$200). The other equipment can be rented allowing you to buy further equipment over time, as your budget allows. Also, CADC will try to obtain discounts for our club members at dive shops and hotels for equipment and travel. What equipment do I need? The basic equipment you will want is a mask, fins, and snorkel. All of the other equipment should be supplied by the instructor. Once certified, you can rent the rest of the equipment.
Is scuba diving dangerous?
Not really. The lessons you take to become certified will be structured to make you feel comfortable and confident with yourself in the underwater world. Certainly there are hazards, but that is what the training is all about. But like most other activities, as long as you follow the rules and use common sense, it’s pretty safe.
Will I get eaten by a shark?
Not likely. It is extremely rare to hear about a diver being molested by a shark. If a diver does get bit, it’s probably because he provoked or bothered the shark. Diving has a lower incident rate than football, baseball, water-skiing, soccer, volleyball, racquetball, tennis, swimming, and bowling. As a matter of fact, most divers think it’s a thrill to see a shark in the water and they go out of their way looking for sharks. (which, unfortunately, is not a common sight on most dives)
Read Continental Dive Club's Vision...
Back to top