Common Q n A (written in a very simple form :)
Q1: I'm not yet a diver, which course should I sign up first?
A1: Open Water Diver Course.
Q2: What are the stages to complete an Open Water Diver Course?
A2: Sign up (diver student's info, understanding of diving safe practices, medical information...) - get the dive manual, get into training pool / safe beach for basic and emergency skill, get the knowledge development done (either self study or assisted by DVD, your instructor), do 4 actual dives, done the final exam and get certified.
Q3: What are inclusive in the price of a complete dive course package?
A3: Well, the essential things - Dive manual and Log book, instructor fee, pool/confined water training facility and equipment, quiz and exam, open water dive trip (if it's at more distanced area, then it should consisted of transfer, accommodation, meal and 4 dives), certification
Q4: What is the most important thing to be considered when sign up a course?
A4: Safety - not only safety during the course, but the education of dive safety at all time
Q5: Do I need to be a good swimmer to be a good SCUBA diver?
A5: It's best if you are good swimmer but not a must. Know your limit, buoyancy control, understand, familiar and proper use with your dive equipment, good decision making, good knowledge about the environment for a SCUBA diver are more important than good swimming skill.
Q5: How do I know if my dive instructor is right for me?
A5: being FUN is not right enough for an instructor - it's education, and we are talking about getting into the sea, where man kind know less than 10% of it...
Before the course - is he/she answering all your question with logic and acceptable explanation? Does he/she consider your fitness or other medical consideration? Does he/she concern more on making you understand the course or trying to sell hard on dive equipment or accessory that you don't even understand about how to use it?
During the course- does he/she always put safety as first priority? does he/she understand about your learning pace? Does he/she spend more time in education than 'get the course done'? do you have fun and interested to learn more with him/her in the course? has he/she convince and encourage you to be a competent diver for safe diving in future?
After the course - does he/she follow up with your application? Does he/she still giving your further dive education in other dive trip?... you may add your own judgment, please be demanding.
Q6: What dive equipment do I need to buy prior to become a certified diver?
A6: A wetsuit, if you consider your self 'sensitive to cold'. A proper training centre should have sufficient equipment provided to you during the course - and by then you will get to know about your diving better in order to purchase the 'right' equipment that suits your taste, the function versus your muscle, your traveling convenience, and your budget. You can have longer time to seek for more information with your dive instructor along the course.