PADI Dive Certification Costs! Oh yeah baby!!!!
Added 2018-08-08 23:28:59 +0000 UTCHow much does it really cost to get PADI dive certified?
We've received a TON of questions asking about the costs associated with becoming Open Water SCUBA Diver certified...So here you go!
Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus....or SCUBA! Something Jeremiah and I never thought we'd be doing. We both aren't huge fans of sharks and all that nonsense...However, now that we've been playing around with this, we feel a lot better about it...Excited even! If you can imagine that. ;)
After deciding to go for it, we researched the available classes. We choose to take the Open Water SCUBA class to become PADI certified. Which meant we could dive pretty much anywhere in the world. Renting gear or doing guided dives and all...In addition to diving on our own boat! This was appealing since we plan to sail all over the place.
It all began with simply walking into a local dive shop and signing up. Then we started the scuba certification online. There's a regular course for SCUBA itself and then there's an additional for the Nitrox end of things.
The online course wasn’t too much fun honestly. It took hours to get through, plus the fact that we didn't even know what the heck they were talking about half the time. It was a little frustrating...Especially since I was second guessing doing it in the first place! Haha
Next we took to the classroom! This consisted of 6 hours of learning/group discussion and a surprise quiz. After spending time completing the online and classroom portions of the knowledge and development we were ready to hit the pool! This is where we actually started to breathe underwater for the first time. After completing 5 pool dives we'll hit the open ocean to complete 4 more dives which will allow us to complete the course and become fully certified.
So what's the cost for a class that will take a total of 5 days to complete (1 classroom, 2 pool, 2 ocean)? The grand total for the entire course was $487.42....Per person!
This price included all materials needed for the online and in classroom instruction. It also included SCUBA gear rentals, pool time and a trip to Catalina Island for the final day of diving. During my last post I spoke about some troubles we came across and how we had made the decision to switch to private lessons, that little decision was $250 more per person. So an additional $500 for the private lessons.
That's not all, however! There's more! We also had to purchase our own mask, snorkel, fins, booties and gloves before the diving began. The total we spent on gear between the both of us was $722.84. Now, maybe its cheaper on some island somewhere but we're in Southern California currently, we want to get this done BEFORE cruising begins in a couple of months so we decided to bite the bullet now.
So the total cost:
$2197.86 for both of us with private lessons and gear. ($1098.84 per person)
This will give us PADI certifications for air and Nitrox.
Now, your certified! Then comes the expensive part...The gear. That's if you want your own so you can go sailing with it...And guess what? We do...So we bought it!
I'll be doing a post that breaks down the gear we purchased plus how much it was soon!
You might ask why would you do this if you weren't really into it much...Great question!! Haha...No, to be honest...As I go along with this crazy idea that Jeremiah had (going sailing), I'm finding that as I step out of my shell I really enjoy things! Does SCUBA terrify me? Well, it did! Now that I'm learning the correct way to do it, I feel a little better and I feel like with time and experience, I'll really start to enjoy it. Plus the videos...We really feel that you'll enjoy it. Adding an underwater aspect to our videos is something that we think you'll appreciate. So we're going for it!
5 years ago I would've laughed about the sailing thing...So maybe in 5 years I'll feel the same way about SCUBA!
Jeremiah...He's all into it now...Watching SCUBA YouTube videos!
I hope you enjoy these little posts, I love when I hear back from you so don't be shy about commenting below or dropping us a line through the message feature!
Love,
Brittany
Comments
Good morning Jim! I'm so sorry to hear about your accident...Goodness that is awful but at least you got to experience it for a little while and can continue forward with the beautiful memories <3 You absolutely right about the price and we knew it would be expensive but I don't think we knew the extent of it...With that being said, the amount of training, quality of gear, piece of mind, knowledge and understanding that has come along with it makes it all worth it. The instructor has spent 5 full days with us doing all he can and I must say the amount of confidence that I have built in myself, Jeremiah (buddy) and my gear is all worth it in the end. I now feel fully equipped to continue taking baby steps into this new world :)
Lazy Gecko Sailing
2018-08-16 16:47:00 +0000 UTCWow that is a crazy amount of money for some thing that easy. I know every thing is crazy expensive these days. Before I get jumped on (not from you) I know that there is a lot to know but once you know it its no big deal and I hear there is dive computers now that do most of the figuring for you. I got my dive certification back in 1973 I paid about 150.00 and about that much for the gear. Back then NAUI was the one to have PADI was around but I don't remember any one having it. I went on to get deep water certifed but a motorcycle accident in the late 70's left me with lung damage and ended my diving.
2018-08-15 17:25:52 +0000 UTCYeah the boat ride to Catalina was part of the cost. It's a pretty cool program they're running...The ocean dives are at different spots and they're pretty popular. Yes, the gear is expensive and we weren't shy about it. We wanted to get good stuff so we feel confident and it lasts...hopefully.
Lazy Gecko Sailing
2018-08-11 18:26:13 +0000 UTCGood article. Those costs are not too out of line. Especially with boat dives involves. Most dive agencies standards require students to purchase their own mask, snorkel, fins and boots. Since you’re out on your own boat that only makes sense. I’ll be interested to see what you have to say about gear. Scuba Pro is the best but it’s also the most expensive. SSI AOW instructor 500+ dives. I know a little and I’m still learning.
2018-08-10 22:44:48 +0000 UTCWe're so happy you did!! We hope it inspires you!!
Lazy Gecko Sailing
2018-08-10 17:15:24 +0000 UTCBig fan of YouTube channel love boating never had an interest in sailing till I stumbled on ur channel
2018-08-10 02:37:25 +0000 UTCHi Brandon! Yes we know it was expensive. Everything out here is! It doesn’t include the AOW but we are taking it right after this for a fraction of the price. It’s all good and we’re excited!! We’ll check out Drenched for sure!!
Lazy Gecko Sailing
2018-08-10 01:04:20 +0000 UTCSounds good your got certified. It will change your life on the seas. Now I got to say I think you got hose on the classes. My OW and AOW along with Nitrox in all private classes was only $950 dollars and AOW is another 4 deep ocean dives and a whole another set of books. I hope you got AOW certified as well because without it, most dive resorts won't let you use Nitrox. Keep in mind Nitrox is really for those long dive days where you are doing 3-4 dives a day and want to get more bottom time. Holler if you got any questions, I'm fairly new to the diving world, but in 4 short years have dove in some of the best places to dive in the world. Watch the channel Drenched, hands down the best diving channel on Youtube and some Nat Geo level filming they do underwater
2018-08-09 23:42:40 +0000 UTCI've broken that rule twice already but at least it was in the pool!! LMAO! Trying my best to get better...the more we do it the easier it gets to find a sense of calmness :) Thank you for your thoughtfulness in giving us some tips!! We <3 you Teddy!!
Lazy Gecko Sailing
2018-08-09 19:59:55 +0000 UTCDon't worry! I just keep repeating that in my head...it can be so quiet down there!!
Lazy Gecko Sailing
2018-08-09 19:58:30 +0000 UTCThe second rule of SBUCA diving...DON'T FREAK OUT!!! Seriously. I've seen too many divers on guided dives freak out for some reason or another. This usually leads to breaking the first rule and scorching to the surface holding your breath. If you ever have anything that leads to fear underwater just STOP, and BREATHE. In this sense it's a lot like meditation, yoga, or whatever else you might do to relax and calm yourself. Take 10-20 seconds to clear your mind and breathe and you'll always be okay.
Sail Loot
2018-08-09 02:58:06 +0000 UTCThe first rule of SCUBA diving...NEVER STOP BREATHING.
Sail Loot
2018-08-09 02:57:46 +0000 UTC
