If you would like to dive into the open waters, and think that basic scuba training and certification will take quite a while, think again. There is no specific timetable to follow and can generally occur as fast as you want it to.

But remember that your dives will be supervised, and your instructor has the option to require you to perform more dives if necessary. Your instructor will be well aware of how quickly you are mastering the skills during the training, and even if it takes you longer than other people, once you have mastered them, he or she will know. Safety is always a priority with your instructor, and your ability to master and perform certain skills must be at a certain level for they will feel confident you will be safe in the water.

Open water scuba certification is the place that every beginner starts. Ascertaining the most experience possible would be the next important thing. With enough experience and confidence, then you can think about furthering your diving education, skill level and certifications. It is possible to gain further training which will aid you in becoming a better and more skilled scuba diver. Additional certifications are possible like master level training, dive master, instructor levels and rescue diving. More training can be had such as cave diving for the individuals who have bravery.

The goal of confined water dives is to be able to successfully accomplish at least five dives in the pool. Each time you pass a confined water dive, then next dive will be more challenging. Basically, you will have to demonstrate the ability to do more and more things on each dive to proceed to the next. An example of this is requiring you to clean your mask while you are underwater opposed to being on the surface. To handle regulator malfunctions underwater, you learn to share yours with a buddy and vice versa. As a prerequisite to being able to actually dive in the ocean or a larger body of water, trainees must learn these essential skills.

Once you have gone through your five successful dives, and practiced your underwater skills, your trainers will move you to the ocean. The next phase of the training curriculum is to demonstrate a minimal amount of competency with open water skills. You will be tested on how well you can swim; they will ask you to go about 200 yards without your gear to test your endurance and physical capabilities. You will then be asked to put on your snorkel, mask, and the fins that you brought with you and go about 300 yards or meters for the next segment of the training. Once your swim is completed, you will then have to tread water for 10 more minutes to complete this segment of your training. There is no need to worry about how long it will take you to do distance swim as it is not timed by the instructors.

There are many aspects to scuba training that most people do not realize until after they begin. Part of the overall experience is forming relationships and a bond or two with special people that you meet during the training. If you go on vacation to some exotic locale, then you will always make new friends if you include scuba diving on your itinerary. Without a doubt, over time, you will meet quite a few people that you otherwise would never have known without this type of training.