Frequently Asked Questions

---

The basic equipment for scuba diving includes a diving mask, fins, snorkel, wetsuit, buoyancy control device (BCD), regulator, dive computer, and a tank of compressed air.

Yes, you can scuba dive if you wear glasses. You can either wear a prescription diving mask or use contact lenses while diving.

Neutral buoyancy control is one of the most essential skills that you can learn and perfect as a scuba diver.  It is a critical skill that will fine tune your diving efficiency and make your diving fun and effortless.  It is an important skill to master to eliminate a diver’s frustration in regard to moving and disturbing marine life and destroying our fragile underseas environment and ecosystem.

Nitrox diving is a type of scuba diving where the diver uses a breathing mixture that contains a higher percentage of oxygen than air. This allows for longer dives and shorter surface intervals while the lower nitrogen amounts reduce the chances of developing decompression sickness (DCS).

Like all dive certification agencies in the world, NAUI, SDI and PADI certification standards are governed by the World Recreation Scuba Training Council (WRSTC) and European Underwater Federation (EUF).

Therefore,  NAUI, SDI and PADI are international certifications that assure the students they will be able to scuba dive in any part of the world.  Both academic contents have many similar resources: videos, diagrams, summaries, and e-learning platforms for those who wish to do their theoretical training online, as well as confined water training and open water training.

There are some little differences:

• A not-for-profit agency, NAUI's main focus is on educating divers about safety. NAUI training teaches divers how to plan, develop, organize, and lead their own dives. NAUI certification requires divers to be at least 18 years old by the water phase of the course.
• In SDI training, there is a strong focus on the early development of neutral buoyancy and horizontal trim. The students in all courses use dive computers.
• However, PADI focuses on neutral buoyancy training when the diver is more advanced.
• PADI follows a fixed teaching scheme and SDI training is more tailored to the students’ needs.

NAUI, PADI and SDI certifications are interchangeable. In other words, you can first be NAUI certified for Open Water and Interchange your certification with SDI and/or PADI; or vice-verse. There are some exceptions with certain specialty courses being interchangeable between organizations.

All three of these first responder certifying associations are recognized and/or accepted by OSHA, The American Heart Association (AHA), the US Coast Guard and public service first responders (Fire, Police, etc.). 

These first responder course providers are primarily associated with their parent diving associations, for example, FRTI under TDISDI and EFR under PADI; the course curriculums are frequently taught in vast array of public, residential, commercial and industrial workplace environments.

NAUI, SDI and PADI Open Water divers are certified to dive to a maximum depth of 60 feet. Each organization offers specialty classes/courses that qualify you to dive to depths of 130 feet and beyond.

Bottom line short...Scuba diving can be dangerous... With proper training the majority of the dangers associated with scuba diving can be greatly reduced or eliminated. Common risks include decompression sickness (the bends), drowning, arterial air embolism, marine life, and preexisting health conditions. Unfortunately many of the scuba diving accidents are due to diver error. The best way to lower your risk is to be properly trained by a certified and reputable diving professional.

Basic open water certification is a prerequisite for the majority of specialty diving courses.  NAUI, SDI and PADI's website list the prerequisites for specialty dive courses.