 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Open-Water Scuba Diving Certification
 PADI Scuba diving is a great activity whenever getting out from the working stress environment but most of the time. PADI is the world’s largest and most popular diver training organization, with over 100,000 professional members and facilities in more than 175 countries and territories. The PADI certification is being held in the beautiful island of Pulau Perhentian, Terengganu, Malaysia. However, for those who don't want to participate in PADI certification, they can join the trip too by getting into snorkelling. What a wonderful way to explore the world underneath us. Since 70% of our earth is water, what a waste if we don't explore what's underneath. Indeed, Scuba diving is a very rewarding sport and to learn is very easy - if you can spare 4D/3N on the island, you can complete the course and be on your way to explore the underwater beauty of Malaysia and the world! Your open water certification allows you to dive anywhere in the world, up to 18m depth with no expiry date.
We are the only dive centre in Perhentian that are both PADI and SSI affliated. Both organizations are reputable and ranked world's first and second largest dive certification agency in the world. The differences are very minimal, both PADI and SSI certification are recognized worldwide. In PADI, you will complete a total of 4 open water dives to complete the course while SSI, you will complete a total of 5 open water dives. For more info on the courses, visit www.padi.com and www.divessi.com
 As we firmly believe in "practice makes perfect", as our students, you will stand to enjoy lifetime flat rate of RM50 per dive anytime (Feb-Oct), 20% off continuing education course and 15% discount for any of our special trips. We also organize overseas dive trips during off season. In fact, as a diver, your world will be so much more exciting with so many places to explore.
Typical itinerary works out like this:
Below are the excerpts of what you can expect during the course. Normally, we will do the theory portion on the first day. Second day will be the confined water skills.
Third and fourth day will be completing the 4 open water dives (2 dives on each day).
We can also arrange for accommodation and boat transfers. Depending on what kind of accommodation you want - price varies from a cheap bungalow (fan) to aircon room. Prices start from RM30 to RM240 per room. Depending on where you like to stay (there are many resorts and chalets spread out between both big and small islands) and budget, we can recommend Arwana Resort for aircon rooms and Samudra or Fauna chalet for budget rooms.
Additional costs would be return boat transfers which costs RM60 per person. Getting to Perhentian is very easy. From KL, the cheapest way to go is via overnight bus which departs daily from Hentian Putra station at 9pm, arriving Kuala Besut jetty around 6am. You can take the first boat to the island which is around 7am. Another way is to fly. Air Asia has daily flight to KOTA BAHRU from KL, from the airport, we can arrange for a taxi to wait for you - costs RM56 per taxi.
If you can spare 4D/3N on the island, we recommend to take the course entirely on the island. Not only it is cheaper, but also, you will get a more thorough training. The amount of time saved is really 1 day vs taking some of the course in KL.
If you are keen, we can pass you the manual first before your trip where you do start reading and do the "homework" before coming to the island. That reduces even more time spend in the classroom and more time diving :-)
We have also compiled some FAQs on scuba diving. If you have any other questions not covered under the FAQ, don't hesitate to email me. Look forward to hear from you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your PADI/ SSI SCUBA certification does not expire. It is highly recommended that you keep in practice. You should dive more than once a year. You may take a SCUBA Tune Up from any PADI/SSI instructor. PADI/SSI offers continuing education classes which are very informative. Continuing with your SCUBA education is an excellent way to keep in practice and learn more safe diving skills.
PADI/SSI requires you to be at least 10 years old to become a PADI certified Junior Open Water Scuba Diver. 10 and 11 year olds must dive with a certified parent, guardian or dive professional to a maximum depth of 12m. 12 to 14 year olds must dive with a certified adult. At age 15, the Junior certification upgrades to a regular Open Water Diver certification.
In the scuba class, you will learn how to dive safely and correctly. Your PADI/SSI SCUBA certification card is proof that you have taken and passed the SCUBA course. No reputable Dive Center will rent you gear, fill your tank , or let you dive at their facilities unless you are a certified SCUBA diver.
PADI/SSI is a recreational SCUBA organization. The maximum depth for a recreational SCUBA diver is 40m. I do not recommend you ever dive the maximum depth. You should not dive deeper than 18m without proper training. In the PADI/SSI Advanced Open Water course, divers are shown the correct and safe way to make a deep dive.
Most fish are afraid of you or will ignore you. It is very exciting to see fish. The larger the better. The prettiest and most abundant fish are in the ocean. The best place to see fish is near shipwrecks and reefs. Some fish will let you get close to them but will stay out of your reach. Some fish are curious and will follow you around. I have been diving for a long time and have seen many sharks, eels and barracudas. The sharks and eels are very shy and are difficult to see. Barracudas are curious and might follow you around making it easy to photograph them.
How expensive is SCUBA diving?
Once you are certified, SCUBA diving costs about as much as 18 holes of golf, or a good ski-lift ticket. After certification, you should invest in your own mask, fins, and snorkel (collectively known as personal gears). Scuba equipments such as BCD and Regulator are recommended to own once you’re committed to pursue this sport – cheapest model ranges fromRM2,400 for full set. You don't have to buy all your gear. Most dive shops have gears for rental. As ex students, you will enjoy a flat rate of RM50 per dive inclusive of equipment rental, 20% discount off continuing education courses and 15% off any trips we organize. The more you dive, the better you will get.
No, in fact, it's probably easier than you imagine -- especially if you're already comfortable in the water. PADI/SSI entry-level diver course is split into knowledge development, confined water (pool) skill training and four/five scuba training dives. The course is "performance based," which means that you progress as you learn and demonstrate knowledge and skill.
How long does it take to complete a course?
Scuba courses are "performance based," which means that you earn your certification when you demonstrate that you have mastered the required skills and knowledge. Some people learn faster than others, so how long it takes you may vary. The PADI/SSI Open Water Diver course (beginning scuba) is typically split into five or six sessions with tremendous flexibility. The course is normally scheduled over three or four days.
No. All you need to be is a reasonably proficient swimmer who is comfortable and relaxed in the water. The swimming requirement for certification is an easy 200m nonstop swim (with no time or specific stroke requirement) and 10 minute tread/float.
Recreational divers breathe air, not oxygen. It's filtered to remove impurities, but otherwise, it's air like you're breathing now.
This is a common question that, unfortunately, doesn't have a single answer. People breathe at different rates, and you breathe faster when you're swimming than when you're resting. Also, the deeper you go, the more you use your air, and, you can get different size tanks. So, the answer is "it depends;" this is why divers have a gauge that tell them how much air they have at all times. As an approximation, a diver sightseeing in calm, warm water at 10-12m deep can expect the average tank to last about an hour.
Your ears hurt because water pressure pushes in on your ear drum. In your scuba course, you'll learn a simple technique to equalize your ears to the surrounding pressure, much like you do when you land in an airplane, and they won't hurt at all.
Not really. Statistics show that recreational scuba diving is about as safe as swimming. Certainly there are potential hazards -- which is why you need training and certification -- but like driving a car, as long as you follow the rules and use common sense, it's pretty safe. To put it in perspective, the drive in your car to go diving is more dangerous than the diving.
The price difference is some instructors/dive centers do not tell you about all the costs. Be careful, if the lessons price sounds very inexpensive it might not include everything.
-Does that price include the four Open Water Dives? Where? -Does that price include the book? The book, log book and dive tables retail for about (compulsory) -Does that price include the SCUBA gear or free rental for the four Open Water Dives? -Does that price include the PADI registration and your Scuba Certification card? A long time ago when the workers were breathing compressed air while working underwater, sometimes they would get decompression sickness or "the Bends". Their joints would hurt and make them bend over. This is caused by staying under water too long and coming up too fast. Tiny bubbles would form in their joints, something like the tiny bubbles form in a soda bottle when you open it. Just like the soda bottle, if you shake it and open it too soon or fast too many bubbles will form. With all the new technology "the bends" is easily avoided. PADI divers are recreational divers. I will teach you how to safely dive within the limits so you will never get the bends. Don't worry diving is fun and safe. I will teach you how to relax and enjoy your dive.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
