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Scuba Diving/how do i get started in scuba diving
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Question
hey, i live in NC and i love to snorkel and always have, i have family in puerto rico and thats all i do. How do i get started in in scuba diving in my area and where could i go to get certified
You can look for dive centers in the phone book, online, or through diving periodicals. Looking in the phone book under "diving instruction" or "scuba instruction" will give you an idea of the number of dive centers in your area. You can do Internet searches for North Carolina dive centers or scuba instructors. Magazines listing dive centers may be found in stores. Those are the easiest ways to find available instruction.
But, you don't just want what is necessarily close by you, but rather quality. Sometimes the best dive instructor is just down the street and other times he or she might be found a bit further afield. Once you've located possible dive centers or instructors you should visit the dive centers and talk to the instructors and find one with a resume you admire and whose personality makes you feel comfortable. You may want to search through message boards related to diving and look at profiles of scuba instructors in your area and send them e-mails or messages inquiring about training.
Try to find an instructor who will give you more time in the pool or confined water and do more open water dives than others. The more class, pool and open water time you get the more time you'll have to learn and improve your skills. Diving can be a lifelong adventure and it is much more enjoyable when you are well-trained and comfortable. Good luck!
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Answers by Expert:
Trace Malinowski
Expertise
I can answer questions about freediving, also known as apnea or breath hold diving, as well as questions concerning recreational and technical SCUBA diving including cave diving, mixed gas diving, DIR philosophy and career development.
Experience
I began snorkeling as a child and then I began SCUBA diving in 1982 at the age of 14. Presently, I'm 40 years old and the Technical Training Director for PDIC International. I've worked professionally in the diving industry since 1989 and I've completed over 6000 dives in all marine and aquatic environments. I'm a certified full cave diver with NSS-CDS and IANTD. I've had various levels of technical training with PDIC, GUE, NSS-CDS, NACD, TDI, and IANTD. I'm also a YMCA Lifeguard Instructor. I teach the PDIC Tek Prep, PDIC Tek 1, and PDIC Cave 1. I'm also currently authoring the technical manual for PDIC International. I teach a variety of specialties including extended range freediving, advanced rescue, tek prep, nitrox, tek nitrox, decompression procedures, night, deep, wreck, drysuit and navigation.
Organizations
United States Lifesaving Association
National Speleological Society - Cave Diving Section
National Association for Cave Diving
Global Underwater Explorers
Hydronautics - Diving for Science & Adventure, Inc.
Education/Credentials
B.A. English, Marywood University, 1993; SCUBA Instructor Trainer, PDIC International, 2006; Apnea/Freediving Instructor Trainer, PDIC International, 2001; SCUBA Instructor, PDIC International, 1989; Extended Range Freediving Instructor, PDIC International, 1996; Cave Diver, NSS-CDS, 2006; Cave Diver, IANTD, 2006; Apprentice Cave Diver, NACD, 2005; Intro to Cave Diver, NACD, 2004; Intro to Cave Diver, TDI, 2004; Advanced Nitrox, TDI, 2004; Decompression Procedures, TDI, 2004; Solo Diver, SDI, 2005; Nitrox Instructor Trainer, PDIC International, 2006; Nitrox Instructor, PDIC International, 1996; DIR-F, GUE, 2000 and GUE Tech 1 Trimix 2008.
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