How to become a Certified Diver

I can't tell you how many times people have asked me how to get their scuba diving license.

If you're interested in trying scuba diving, let me share a few quick pointers.

1.  There is no such thing as a "scuba diving license."  We should all count our blessings that the U.S. government hasn't found a way to control how we breathe.  Although I'm sure someone in Washington would be happy to build a $300 million dollar website to administer recreational diving.

2.  Scuba "certification" is really an industry standard, not a legal license.  The way it's supposed to work, is that a dive shop will not fill your tanks with air, and a boat will not allow you to dive off of it, unless you can provide proof of your training.  That proof is your certification card.  You take the class, you get the "C" card, and you can get air in your tanks and go on dive boats.

3.  "My friend said they'd let me borrow a tank so I can dive without a 'C' card."  My recommendation is to avoid that "friend," because his or her actions are likely to get you injured.  Look, scuba diving isn't difficult to learn, there are only half a dozen really strict rules.  But unlike most above-water rules, if you break the rules of scuba diving, you better have a really good plan or you're dead.

I found this really helpful short video about how to get certified.  I hope you enjoy it: