Q:  How long is scuba certification good for?
A:   It never expires, but you should dive at least twice a year to stay active.

Q:  Does it matter if I got certified in a freshwater spring or in the ocean?
A:  Your certification card is exactly the same regardless of where your checkout dives took place.  The
     difference is your own personal experience on the trips, which is why we offer both as options.

Q:  Where is my NAUI scuba certification accepted?
A:   NAUI is accepted worldwide!  Any legitimate dive operation in the world will accept your card.

Q:  What is NAUI?
A:   NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors) is the oldest scuba diving agency in the US.
      They have the highest minimum standards which are set forth in the development of the course material
      (such as your textbook), they print and issue the certification cards, and regulate the instructors and dive
      professionals within the agency.  NAUI is also the exclusive agency used by Disney’s Dive Quest dive team.

Q:  What if I lose my card, can I still dive?
A:   In most cases, yes.  Your record of certification can be checked online at www.naui.org
      You can also replace a lost or stolen card through one of iDive Florida:  www.idiveflorida.org/contact

Q:  What is the cost to get Scuba Certified?  Other classes?
A:  The cost changes with the season, and special promotions may run from time to time.  We offer ONLY an
     all-inclusive price, meaning you will not get hit with extra charges for things like your card, books, entry
     to the springs, boat fees, tank rentals, gear rental, etc.  The only thing a typical course requires the diver
     pay for outside of the course fee is their own food, swimsuit, towel, and transportation.
     Divers are, however, required to provide the basic gear (mask, fins/booties, snorkel).  We offer all of those
     items here, with a great selection, quality brands and products, with even a discount for new divers.
     The number of students you have in your group, your scheduling flexibility, and many other factors affect
     the pricing.  Bundling with other courses may also yield better rates.  The best thing to do is simply tell us
     what you want, when you want to be certified, and what your scheduling situation is by going to the
     contact page and submitting your request.  We also strive to keep our prices competitive, fair, and
     reasonable.

Q:  What is MINIMUM AGE to get certified?
A:   As of January 2012, the minimum age is 10.  The diver will be considered a “Junior” Scuba Diver, which
      allows all the same privileges, but requires them to dive with an adult 18 or older.  Once the Jr Diver
      turns 15, he or she may request a new card by contacting their instructor.  They may also bring their ID
      with them as proof they meet the standard age of regular diver if they still have their old card.  The
      transition is automatic.

Q:  I am an elderly person, but in reasonably good shape.  Can I learn to scuba dive?
A:  Yes.  While basic levels of fitness and medical health must be met, there is no age limit on diving.  We have
     had many divers come through beyond their 60's!  Scuba diving can be a very relaxing, tranquil, even
     therapeutic recreational experience for people of all ages.

Q:  What does it mean, “Open Water” certification?
A:   Open Water certification is the standard scuba certification issued through all major certifying agencies.
      It allows to dive in similar conditions to those you were trained.  It is the generally accepted level for
      typical scuba diving conditions.  To dive beyond 60 ft, at night, in shipwrecks, low visibility or other
      specialized conditions, seek further certifications through education:  www.idiveflorida.org/forward

Q:  What does a certification card allow me to do?
A:   It allows you dive worldwide on charters, excursions, dive resorts, etc.  It also allows you to rent gear,
     tanks, equipment and so on.  Many marine-related jobs require scuba certification before or during
     employment, or may require it to advanced to elevated positions.  Sea World, Disney, Georgia Aquarium,
     Marineland, Fire and Marine Rescue Departments, Underwater Engineering Firms all have positions
     that make scuba certification a prerequisite.

Q:  Is it illegal to dive without a certification card?
A:   No.  Scuba certification is regulated by industry standards and liabilities.  However, many parks or nature
     preserves may require proof of certification to enter, or may restrict diving in certain areas or times.
     Remember, there is also no laws against jumping out of a plane with a parachute without certification!

Q:  What does the scuba c-card (certification card) look like?
A:   It has your color photo, as well your name and certification date on it.  It also has the facility who certified
     you, your instructor’s name and member number, and level of certification.  The agency issuing the card
     will also have their specific graphic and info clearly labeled.  (I.E. NAUI, PADI, SSI, etc.)

Q:  What are some common medical issues that prevent people from diving?
A:   Diabetes, Pregnancy, Seizures, Heart Conditions, current diagnosis of Asthma, and other
      issues.  The only way to be sure is discuss this issue with your instructor.  In some cases, certain
      medical conditions can be accommodated with written approval from a Doctor.  However, not all
      conditions approved by doctors will guarantee you will be permitted to enter a training course.
      the simplest solution is to start by contacting your instructor.  All information will remain private
      and confidential.

Q:  Will the Scuba Certification course be physically demanding?
A:   In some instances, yes.  While most diving activities can be relatively low-stress and even relaxing, a
      certain degree of physical ability may be required in an emergency situation, or on specific dive locations.

Q:  Is there a swim test?
A:  Yes.  There are a few different styles of swim tests, including an underwater breath hold and tread-water
     activity.  While basic swim skills are required, most consider these tests relatively easy.

Q:  Will the water be cold?
A:  It depends on many factors, but we always provide wet suits of appropriate lengths and thickness.  Most of
     the year water is warm everywhere, and springs stay a constant 72 degrees F year round.  We also use
     a heated pool when needed.  Instructors don’t like to be cold either, so we avoid getting chilly as much
     as possible!

Q:  I feel pressure in my ears when I go to the bottom of the pool or freedive, is that normal?
A:  Yes.  It is perfectly normal to fee pressure build up on your ears as you descend, and very easy
     fix.  You can even try the technique in your own pool or sitting right there reading this sentence:
     You have an airspace called an eustachian tube that connects your throat to the back side of your ear.
     The deeper you dive down, the greater the pressure on the outside of your eardrum.  To counter
     that increased pressure on the outside, you need to increase it on the inside.  All you have to do is
     gently force a little air into your eustachian tubes.  You can do this right now by closing your mouth,
     pinching your nose closed, and exhaling GENTLY until you feel your ears sort of pop.  Imagine trying
     to force air into your nose but since you’re pinching your nose it can only go out your ears.
     this is the same technique you will be taught to do in the water as you descend.  It will allow you to
     comfortably go as deep as your certification allows!  Before you even feel the pressure, you can do this
     trick early and often to continue your descent.  Repeat as necessary.
      *Be sure never to force it.  If you cannot equalize ascend and try again by doing it more frequent.  If you
        still cannot, ascend slowly and seek assistance with your professional dive leader.

Q:  I wear glasses or contacts, can I still dive...and actually see anything?
A:   Yes!  There are many simple remedies for this very common issue.  For one, your vision will improve
      drastically underwater just from looking through the mask.  The refractive properties of water when viewed
      through a mask actually cause everything underwater to be magnified, thus producing a larger, sharper and
      greatly enhanced image.  However, you can also add prescription lenses to many scuba masks, or simply
      wear your contact lenses with a regular mask.  As a bonus, prescription lenses are considered to be very
      inexpensive.

Q:  What if my mask comes off while I’m deep down underwater?
A:  No problem at all!  We learn a simple skill while in the safety of the pool that allows us to quickly and easily
     remove and replace a mask while continuing to breath underwater.  We also learn how to clear that pesky
     water that sneaks into the bottom from time to time.  This skill will become second nature by the time you
     complete the course.

Q:  What if my gear stops working while I’m deep down underwater?
A:  Although it is rare for gear to malfunction while diving, you will be taught how to handle such a situation
     during the scuba course.  You will also learn how to properly care for and maintain your gear to reduce the
     chance of such an incident.  Always diving with a buddy is essential to reducing this risk, therefore the skills
     of sharing air and using contingency gear will be emphasized throughout the course.  You will also learn
     how to swim to the surface in the event you found yourself alone and out of air.

Q:  What about SHARKS?!
A:   Unless you have gills, you are not on the menu.  Sharks only bite when they confuse people with food.
      This usually happens in water with low visibility, noisy, turbulent conditions where a lot of splashing takes
      place.  Those conditions are found primarily in the surf zone of the beach, where they are will extremely
      rare.  As a Scuba Diver, you’ll be immersed in the environment wearing a large metal tank on your back.
      Big metal tanks are not part of a shark’s normal diet.  In addition, you are the only thing blowing strange,
      noisy bubbles.  This is why you will almost never hear of a Scuba Diver getting attacked by a shark.  In
      the rare instances this has happened, someone was usually chumming the water (such as on a shark dive)
      and they lured the shark too close to their hand, or they were spear fishing in shark infested waters.
      Most divers, after their first ocean dive, feel so comfortable when diving that they actually want to see a
      shark on the second dive they make!   This is probably the most overblown fear of all when it comes to
      Scuba diving.

Q:  How long does a scuba tank of air last?
A:  That depends on your depth, water temperature, your experience level, physical fitness, exertion during
     the dive, size of your tank, and other factors.  However, the most common size aluminum scuba tank
     (80 cubic feet of volume filled to 3000 PSI), in comfortable water temperature, on average will last a
     diver 30-45 minutes on a typical 40’ dive.  The more you dive, the lower your air consumption rate and
     better you will become at predicting bottom time.

Q:  What other courses are offered through iDive Florida?
A:  We offer everything from Try Scuba through Leadership courses.  Open Water Scuba Certification is the
     first and most common level of certification.  Many also bundle Nitrox Certification into their initial
     Open Water course, or take it soon after.  The next level is Advanced Scuba Diver Certification.  This
     is essentially a “fun” course because all of our learning primarily takes place on-site, and we simply do
     number of different dives with the guidance and help of an instructor.  Courses following this are Rescue
     Scuba Diver, Master Scuba Diver, and Divemaster.  We also can provide many divers with the path
     to becoming a Scuba Diving Instructor.  Finally, we offer Technical Diver courses from Cavern to Cave
     Diver.  These courses, such as Cave Diving, require that you become a proficient recreational diver prior
     to entering the course.  A minimum of Advanced Scuba Diver is recommended.