Harry York

Top Scuba Diving Certifications Programs for 2021

If you are interested in taking up scuba diving as a hobby or job, you probably have already started looking for certification programs. Each program has its own unique aspects and qualities that make them unique. The programs are also continually evolving and enhancing their curriculum. Let’s dive into some of the top scuba diving certification programs for 2021, as featured on Trip Savvy.

PADI

The Professional Association of Diving Instructors was started by Ralph Erickson and John Cronin in 1966. Based in the U.S., it is currently the biggest and most recognized scuba diving training program in the world. To date, it has issued 27 million scuba diving certifications by 137,000 PADI professionals around the globe. There are many different courses, from promoting marine life conservation to learning to take photos underwater to diving with sharks and more. The membership fees are considerably more expensive than other competing agencies, but the experience and knowledge gained are well worth the cost.

SSI

In 1970, Scuba Schools International was founded in Colorado. It is the second-largest and best scuba training agency after PADI. There are more than 2800 dive centers in 110 different countries. The courses are accessible in over 30 languages, and the academic portion is available exclusively online for free. This agency is more flexible and much cheaper than PADI; however, some students prefer to stick with a traditional in-person classroom environment. There are various levels of courses, from entry-level to extended range. In addition, as an SSI professional, you are privy to SSI job listings for free. This contrasts with PADI, which charges professionals a monthly membership fee for career opportunity access.

NAUI

The National Association of Underwater Instructors is the oldest agency on this list. It is based in the U.S. and was founded in 1959. NAUI has pioneered most of the scuba training concepts that are used today in various agencies. Their motto is “Dive Safety Through Education,” as safety is their top priority within each course. There are not many specialty courses and much fewer dive centers worldwide than the other two agencies, but you are guaranteed to learn diving skills with precision and utmost security.

Top Places to Scuba Dive in the U.S.

Scuba diving is an adventure that will prompt divers to travel all over the world. Beautiful scuba spots are spanning the globe, but there are also amazing dives to be had right in the U.S. Let’s take a look at the top 4 places to scuba dive in the United States.

Monterey Bay, California

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is home to Point Lobos State Marine Conservation Area, one of the most concentrated marine habitats in the United States. This dive spot is only open to 30 divers per day, especially in the areas of Whaler’s Cove and Bluefish cove, so be sure to make reservations in advance. There are beautiful sights that are rare to see in any other locations in California, such as leopard sharks, rock cod, and harbor seals. This dive spot is accessible to divers of all levels.

Channel Islands, California

The Channel Islands National Park contains the islands of San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacapa, and Santa Barbara. This bio-diverse environment is a mix of cold, nutrient-rich currents from the north and warm water from the south. This dive is also a photographer’s dream due to the incredible water clarity. The nudibranchs and garibaldis create color shots, and the harbor seals and California sea lions make their appearances as well. This dive features sightings such as wild sea bass, stingrays, and small wrecks. Due to the windy conditions creating some challenges, Santa Rosa and San Miguel are more fit for advanced divers. However, Cathedral Cove on Anacapa Island is perfect for divers of all levels.

Florida Keys

The Florida Keys is an exciting diving spot that features “The Shipwreck Trail,” which is a span of different shipwrecks from over time, some of whom are famous. The wrecks prompt conditions that are safe for divers of all levels, beginning with the USS Spiegel Grove and finishing with Vanderberg in Key West. This dive will allow you to see gorgeous reefs, barracuda, and oceanic jacks.

Bonne Terre, Missouri

This dive is entirely different from the ones previously featured. An hour south of St. Louis is the Bonne Terre Mine, an abandoned mine once used to extract lead for ammunition. Today there are 24 different routes you can dive through in this large area of freshwater. You will make findings such as geology labs, offices, and even a movie theatre. The water temperature remains at 62F all year, so bringing a wetsuit is highly advisable.

Debunking Common Scuba Diving Myths

While the Covid Crisis has obviously created significant change and upheaval globally it’s still worth looking at some of the silver linings that have come during a year of turmoil. It can be easy to look only at the downsides which are full of feelings of isolation and fear. But with a little bit of positivity, you may have actually turned 2020 into a year for self discovery and growth. One of the biggest trends of the year has been exploring nature more for more people seeing as it’s a fairly safe socially distanced activity. As the year comes to a close and you start to look for new or exciting places to explore, look no further than the ocean. The biodiversity and visual experiences provided by diving are second to none, and the communal experience keeps people coming back. The biggest impediment to getting people into scuba diving are the myths surrounding scuba. Here are a few of the biggest myths and misconceptions debunked for you so that you can enjoy your first scuba diving experience free from needless concern.

Myth: Diving Is Dull

There are plenty of people who dive once in a shallow water situation and never really get the thrill of diving. It’s safe, secure and you’re never to far from shore. Further the fish you’re observing are small and you could probably see them snorkling without a scuba mask. But that deosn’t mean that all scuba is simple or so accessible. The really skilled and exciting diving comes when you head out to open water. With proper training and equipment, their’s a bevy of thrilling options for you with your diving. You can hand feed sharks, explore flooded caves, and reach depths and darkness you’ve never experienced before. Guess what: the ocean is vast and has infinite adventures for your to engage with–so get tht open water certification and start diving in places where you can’t even see land.

Myth: You Need Warm Water to Dive

Easily the biggest myth of all is the assumption that diving has to take place in tropical waters. Granted we associate warm waters with the best swimming conditions when we’re at the beach on vacation: but that doesn’t mean that diving only has to take place in those spaces. Because of the nature of wetsuits, diving in cold water can provide as many experiences as warm water can. Consider the great lakes, with countless ship wrecks at the bottom of them theirs plenty to explore even though they rarely creep above 65 degrees.

Myth: SHARK!!!!!!

Taking Great Diving Videos Under Water

The underwater world is filled with fascinating plants, animals, and other subjects. However, capturing them accurately can be a challenge due to the low light and underwater distortions. Those who want to take great underwater videos need to follow these tips.

Get to Know Equipment Above Water

When underwater, videographers will be needing to focus on swimming, breath control, and a lot of other variables. Therefore, it is important to be extremely familiar with the equipment. When everything is instinctual, the cameraperson is less likely to miss impressive shots.

Hold the Camera Correctly

A shaky camera can ruin otherwise excellent footage. It takes a little practice to get used to moving smoothly underwater with a camera. The best option is using two hands on the camera, holding arms rigid, and slowly kicking feet to move. This helps the swimmer stay steady.

Take Videos With the Sun Behind the Camera

The majority of shots do best when the sun or other light source is coming from behind the camera. This will light up the subject beautifully without resulting in a lot of distracting shadows or lens flares.

Shoot Looking Up, Not Down

For most underwater video, the most appealing angle is holding the camera parallel or slightly lower to the subject. This works well because most of the light underwater is coming from above and there is less overall distortion.

Take Longer Videos

A common mistake among beginners is just trying to shoot the 10 to 15 seconds of exciting action they notice. However, this often misses things like the subject swimming into frame. Instead, try to shoot clips of around at least 30 seconds. Remember that it is always possible to edit them down, but one cannot add missing footage in later on.

Regularly Fan the Front of the Camera

When shooting underwater, it is very easy for bubbles, a drifting piece of seaweed, or the photographer’s own hair to get in the way of a great shot. Use a hand to gently brush the water in front of the camera in a fanning motion. This can dispel anything right by the lens that was blocking the video.

Diving in Cozumel

Even in today’s tumultuous world, it is still possible to go diving in Cozumel. While some things have changed, others remain the same. Those who fly into Cozumel will find that each guest was being monitored for possible fevers. Thanks to a thermal camera, it is easy to instantly identify anyone who has a fever of a certain temperature.

Resorts are taking extra precautions as well. Most, if not all, are sanitizing every bag that each guest arrives with. They also take the temperature of every guest entering the resort and provide them with hand gel.

These days, going diving in Cozumel involves local operators organizing the excursion beforehand. Dive sites are now offering to pick guests up and transport them between the sites and their hotel. The vast majority of sites suitable for diving can be reached with a single 25-minute ride on a boat. With fewer people traveling these days, boat rides in Cozumel are not nearly as crowded as they used to be.

When it comes to diving excursions, visitors are paired up with a divemaster to guide them through it. In addition, divemasters are experts at spotting any sea life they might encounter during an excursion.

Currently, some of the most popular dive spots in Cozumel include the San Francisco Wall, Santa Rosa Wall, and Yucab. They each boast excellent visibility averaging 100 feet or more, though most divers don’t go down more than 60 to 70 feet. A dive at the Santa Rosa Wall often includes sightings of barracudas, stingrays, jellyfish, dogfish, loggerhead turtles, and even king crabs.

For some calmer waters, divers are also visiting Palancer Garden. A more scenic dive than many others, it features towering coral formations that have to be seen to be believed. With no current and multiple swimt-hroughs, this can be a relaxing experience that many divers enjoy. However, it lacks the diverse marine life of the Sanat Rosa Wall.

Those who have recently gone diving here have pointed out that the weather can be very unpredictable. This means that regardless of the time of year someone is visiting, he or she should plan to stay at least one extra day in case the weather interferes with their plans.

Planning a Drive-and-Dive

Taking a trip to go diving can be a fun and adventurous experience. However, it is always better to be prepared for a trip like this. Some pre-planning will help the trip go smoothly and make it as enjoyable as possible.

The first step in planning a trip is choosing what route to take. Ideally, one route will include several places where diving can take place. At this point in the planning process it is time to find places to stay between diving sites, and reserve a room at each place. Some choose to stay in hotels part of the time and campgrounds the rest of the time. Depending on where one is staying it is easy to plan other activities to engage in between diving expiditions.

When these plans are in place, the next logical step is to get in touch with dive shops in the areas one is stopping at. Dive shop owners are a valuable resource because they can guide people to the spots where dives have been scheduled for the near future. They can also provide information on where and how to rent diving equipment or have it repaired.

The following step is to prep the car to transport the needed diving equipment. Most divers keep their gear from smelling bad by spraying on it a solution that consists of water and vinegar. It is also advisable to pack dry bags that the used equipment can be put in when returning from the diving trip. An ice bucket or plastic tub is a great way to catch any water that is dripping off the gear, so the car’s interior doesn’t get wet.

One’s car should be packed with everything they need to make their dives a success. This includes not only the necessary equipment, but also non-perishable foods, hydrating drinks and conveniences such as car chargers for phones and other electronic devices that one will need to use during their trip. Many divers bring an underwater camera with them so that they can record their adventures. It is also recommended that divers bring with them a drying line so that they can let their gear sit in the sun after being used.

These are the best ways to go about planning for a drive-and-dive trip.

Top Spots to Scuba Dive in Australia

Australia is globally famous for offering some of the most gorgeous and unique scuba diving entities in the world. It is best known by scuba enthusiasts as the home of the long Great Barrier Reef nestled in pristine aqua waters home to endless marine life and amazing locations to scuba dive. There are truly endless breathtaking places to go scuba diving in Australia, meaning it often be difficult to choose a location or multiple locations for your scuba trip. Here are some of Australia’s most exciting and interesting scuba diving spots to explore the ocean’s natural beauty.

The Great Barrier Reef

First, let’s start with the famous Great Barrier Reef, expanding over 1,400 miles and providing divers with close to 3,000 unique reef locations to explore. Stunning corals, rare marine species, and a network of caverns offer exploration opportunities for all divers. Many divers choose to take a day trip, while others stay on a liveaboard boat for a multi-day dive.

Whitsunday Islands

The Whitsunday Islands is highly unique and is often a perfect choice for beginners because it can be reached and explored directly coast. It is also a great choice for explorers who wish to see a great deal of variety in marine life. It is also very close to the Great Barrier Reef, but is in more shallow waters that are still full of marine life and stunning corals.

South West Rocks

Located in New South Wales, this is the perfect location for scuba divers who are passionate about exploring an extensive series of underwater caves. The cave system is one of the best in the world for scuba divers to focus on exploration, as there is something to find with every turn. If you’re looking to see the elusive loggerhead turtles, this is fantastic place to scuba in Australia.

Townsville

If your scuba priorities include exploring one of the world’s most renowned shipwrecks, the SS Yongala can be explored in Townsville. The ship sank in 1911 and wasn’t found until 50 years. Divers aren’t able to explore the inside of the ship, but they can explore the outside while swimming alongside an abundance of marine life that are drawn to the 350-foot shipwreck. This is also one of the most popular places for a night scuba dive.

Protecting Ocean Life

Human activity over the past years has interfered with aquatic life in the oceans. Scientists have pointed out that dominant human activity has influenced dramatic climate changes to the environment, which has led to a mass extinction event. Iconic ocean creatures are disappearing, and the loss of one of these species can affect the whole habitat. Here are six endangered oceanic creatures and how they can be protected.

Manta Ray

These iconic ocean creatures have pectoral fins that measure up to 29 feet across. Mantas have been harvested by humans to be used as traditional medicine mostly by the Chinese. To help save these creatures, divers are encouraged to take pictures of mantas to support monitoring efforts by the government.

Oceanic Whitetip Shark

These species of shark have large, rounded pectoral fins. Commercial fishing has led to a decline in the species across the Gulf of Mexico. The Haiti ocean project has encouraged fishers who have caught these sharks to release them back into the ocean to help save their numbers. Other efforts include curbing the finning of sharks and introducing better shark handling and release practices.

Hawaiian Monk Seal

These seals are classified as endangered species by the US government and are found in the Hawaiian Islands. They face extinction due to factors like changes in the climate, overfishing, and human interference in the sea. Divers are encouraged to take photographs and report sightings to the monk seal sighting hotline.

Hawksbill Sea Turtle

They have jaws that look like raptors that they use to eat sponges. Hawksbills can be found in coral reefs where they help to preserve reef varieties. Turtles are targeted for their shells. The sale of shell products is discouraged by many conservation organizations and companies in the tourism sector. Divers are urged to look for alternative mementos other than shells to help conserve Hawksbill populations.

Nassau Grouper

They are found in the Caribbean Sea and parts of the North Atlantic oceans. They can camouflage according to their surroundings and suck prey into their gaping maw. Ocean life face the danger of overfishing from fishers. More laws are needed to protect them from spawning aggression.

Whale Shark

These giant sea creatures are the biggest fish species to be recorded spanning at 39 feet and weigh over 40 tons. Increased finning of sharks has threatened the whale shark numbers in the sea. Increased weapons tests, including nuclear bombs in the 1950s and 60s that have shortened the lifespan of these whales by releasing an isotope called carbon-14. People who go for whale watching are advised to do so in smaller communities.

Travel Tips All Divers Should Know

As a diver, traveling to different parts of the world provides an opportunity to experience entirely different underwater ecosystems. While an experienced diver knows how to stay safe in the water, regardless of the location, other aspects of the trip also bring their own sets of hazards. Here are a few ways to protect yourself out of the water.

Research is Essential

Planning your trip involves researching everything from your hotel accommodations to the dive organizations and businesses you’ll be using. You’ll want to look into the past experiences other divers have had with these companies before committing to using them. Additionally, collect important emergency numbers for your trip destination. If you’re traveling outside of the country, this will mean getting the phone number for the U.S. embassy in that country in addition to searching for the numbers for area hospitals, police departments, and the number for the Divers Alert Network office in that location.

Get Traveler’s Insurance

Travelers insurance provides compensation for your travel expenses under a variety of different situations. In particular, talk with your insurance agent to ensure your policy will cover your lost or damaged diving equipment. Your investment in this equipment represents a significant cost, so you’ll want to ensure your insurance policy will cover it. Additionally, make sure you’ll be covered in the country to which you’ll be traveling. A policy that offers “cancel for any reason” coverage can help you get back up to 75% of your trip expenses if you do need to cancel.

Keep Vital Information Secure

Those important documents you keep with you as you travel should be guarded just as securely throughout your vacation. Documents, such as your passport, return plane tickets, and proof of identifications, should be kept with you at all times. When they’re not with you, or if you fear losing them, store them in the safe at your hotel. It may also be helpful to save your flight confirmation number in your phone, so you’ll have it with you in the event that you do lose your ticket.

Rely on Professionals for Help

While locals may seem friendly, any information they provide will usually be the result of hearsay and gossip. Your best chance to get the help you need is to turn to professionals, such as the cruise director on the live aboard charter boat, or the hotel desk clerk. In emergencies, seek out federal government agencies, or international corporations, to ensure you’re getting the most reliable and up to date information available.

Understanding the PADI reactive course

People often choose to take up scuba diving as a fun and enriching pastime. To begin diving, there is a training and certification process to go through. This process ensures divers’ safety. When people are trained divers but stop diving for various reasons, they can take a PADI ReActivate course.

Why Choose This Course?

The premise of this course is reacclimating formerly trained and certified divers to diving. Many times, groups of family members or friends will dive together. When one has become rusty, this course can help the individual feel comfortable to dive with loved ones again.

Training is done in a place that feels safe, like shallow water or a pool. This makes it much easier to work toward going back into open water at each person’s own pace.

How Does The Course Work?

The PADI ReActivate course begins with lessons about the basics of diving. Knowledge-building lessons will be online. This part of the course includes 2 to 4 hours of videos and information reviews. There will then be a final quiz to pass before moving into the water.

Once the divers get into the water, they go over 5 important driving skills:

Regulator recovery
Mask removal and replacement
Hovering
Fin pivot
Emergency weight drop

At this point in the course, students have an opportunity to work on any of the five skills listed. They also work on any other diving concerns they have. This portion of the course is left open intentionally because each student has different strengths, weaknesses, and concerns.

Everyone is given the opportunity to work on the skills they need to focus on until they rebuild their confidence with diving. Going through the online knowledge review, in-water skill review, and extra practice allows students to be fully ready to get back into scuba diving again.

Prerequisites For The Course

This course is designed for a specific need. It’s for retraining those divers who’ve already been certified. The first prerequisite of the course is having been trained already. It’s not an introductory course.

The next suggested prerequisite of the PADI ReActivate course is that it’s recommended for divers who’ve stopped diving for a minimum of two years. This isn’t always required, but it’s helpful.