Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions about learning to scuba dive.
Is it hard to learn to scuba dive?
Most people remark that learning to scuba dive was far easier than expected. Generally speaking, the more comfortable you are in the water and the more effort you dedicate to learning to scuba dive, the smoother the learning process will be. Almost everyone, including some instructors, may have had personal challenges during their open water class, and afterwards they feel proud of what they've accomplished. Because of Seascapes USA’s low student to instructor ratios, we can easily adapt for individual students' learning challenges. If a particular skill is difficult for one or two students, those students will work individually with the instructor or divemaster until they master that skill.
Do I have to meet any special physical qualifications or considerations before I participate in a scuba class?
Diving is a relatively relaxing activity, but gear, changing water conditions, and unplanned emergencies may require significant physical effort to overcome safely. You should be comfortable in water too deep to stand, and in reasonably good physical condition. You demonstrate this to us in part by completing the required swimming skills by the time you finish the course (swim 200 yards using any stroke with no time limit and complete a 10-minute survival float (tread water). In addition, you should be in good health with no medical condition that is incompatible with diving. You will be required to complete a medical questionnaire before beginning any in-water activities. If you answer yes to any of these questions, a physician’s clearance is necessary.
Is scuba diving expensive?
The actual cost of learning to dive and continuing to dive can vary tremendously, depending on what gear you want to purchase or rent, and where you want to dive. However, most people find it is less expensive than hobbies like golf or snow skiing. We believe in giving you the straight scoop up front, so we tell you what you should expect to spend on the "basics" (entry level training & personal gear), and give you a range of what you could spend if you go whole hog.
How long does a tank last?
This is probably the most commonly asked question - and the only answer is, "it depends!" How fast you breathe down that tank of air depends on your depth, muscle mass, fitness level, comfort in the water, how hard you're working, and what size tank you're using. On an "easy" dive to 50 feet, different divers may get 40 - 70 minutes on a single 80 cubic foot tank. The same dive to twice the depth should result in half as much dive time from the same tank. The better your personal fitness less is and how much experience and training you have, the longer your air will last!
My ears hurt when I dive to the bottom of a pool or fly in an airplane. Won't they hurt when I scuba dive?
You will learn and practice proper techniques for equalizing your ears to compensate for the increased pressure underwater. If you have problems in airplanes, you may find the techniques you learn in the course will help you there, too. Very few people are excluded from diving because their ears just won't equalize.
I'm afraid of sharks - don't they attack scuba divers?
In general, attacks by marine animals on divers are extremely rare. Some creatures will react defensively if you disturb them (keep your fingers out of that eel's den!), or they may be interested in any fish you have just speared. Few species of sharks are considered dangerous and even those are highly unlikely to mistake scuba divers for their usual prey of seals, sea lions, and large fish. A diver is generally more "at risk" driving their car to a dive site or dive boat than on the actual dive.
Is scuba diving dangerous?
Potentially, yes. But, well-trained and conscientious divers have a very low risk of dive accidents. You will learn the potential risks of scuba diving and how to reduce, prevent, and deal with these risks. Continuing your dive education by taking the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course and the PADI Rescue Diver course is a great way to further increase your dive safety and enjoyment.
I wear contact lenses or glasses - can I dive with them?
Diving is a visual sport - if you need more than the mildest vision correction above water, you'll want it underwater. If you wear contacts, you can dive with them with minimal risk of loss. If your contacts were very expensive, try wearing disposable soft contact lenses just for diving; even if one were lost the cost would be low. If you don't wish to wear contacts, you can order corrective lenses for your dive mask. As far as vision correction surgery (RK or Lasik correction), the jury is still out, but Divers Alert Network research indicates there is minimal risk of eye injuries while diving, so long as you properly equalize your mask.
Where and when do Seascapes USA scuba classes meet?
The academic "homework" can be completed in the comfort of your home and on your own schedule. The academic portion can be done through the traditional methods of a PADI Open Water Diver textbook and a PADI Open Water Diver DVD. You will meet with Seascapes USA’s instructor to review your chapter knowledge reviews and to answer any questions you might have. You will need to pass 4 quizzes that are 10 questions each and a 50 question multiple-choice exam.
The academic portion can also be completed through PADI’s new eLearning option. The eLearning option is online multimedia presentation that can be done at your convenience anywhere you have a connection to the Internet. You must be at least 13 years old to use the eLearning option due to international Internet laws.
The confined water (pool) sessions are held at Seascapes USA located at 295 Robbins Lane, Syosset, NY 11791. The classes can be scheduled based on your availability and Seascapes USA’s instructor’s availability. Please contact Seascapes USA at (516) 433-7757 to schedule your class.
How old do you have to be to become a certified PADI Open Water Diver?
The minimum age is 10 for the PADI Junior Open Water Diver certification. When a PADI Open Water Junior Diver turns 15, may upgrade to PADI Open Water Diver certification upon reaching 15.
The minimum age for the PADI Open Water Scuba Diver certification is 15.
What equipment do I need for the scuba class?
You need to provide your own personal gear - that includes a mask suitable for scuba diving, snorkel, fins, booties and open-heel fins, and of course your swimsuit and towel. For pool sessions, Seascapes USA will provide scuba air tanks, weights, regulator setup and a buoyancy compensating device (BCD).
What scuba equipment/personal items will I need to bring with me for my scuba lessons?
You will need to bring your mask, fins, booties (if you have open heel fins), snorkel, PADI Open Water manual, logbook, towel and bathing suit or wetsuit.
What is the cost of the scuba course?
Please contact Seascapes USA at (516) 433-7757 for current pricing and to sign up for classes.
How do I sign up for the class?
Please contact Seascapes USA at (516) 433-7757 for current pricing and to sign up for classes.
Where and when are the open water certification dives sessions held?
Open water certification dives are generally scheduled on weekends throughout the spring, summer and fall to meet our students' needs. You will need to complete 4 dives over a two-day period. The days do not have to be back-to-back, but they need to be completed on two separate days. The dives are usually conducted at Oak Beach NY (near Captree).
I'm heading to a warm water location on my vacation - can I do my open water certification dives during my vacation?
Yes. This is called a "referral" and is very common. Seascapes USA’s instructors will give you a form stating that you've met the requirements of the academic and confined water training, and that you're ready for your 4 open water certification dives. We can also help you find an instructor or dive shop at your vacation destination. The dive shop at your vacation location will charge you a separate fee for the open water certification dives and for any gear you might need.
Is it hard to learn to scuba dive?
Most people remark that learning to scuba dive was far easier than expected. Generally speaking, the more comfortable you are in the water and the more effort you dedicate to learning to scuba dive, the smoother the learning process will be. Almost everyone, including some instructors, may have had personal challenges during their open water class, and afterwards they feel proud of what they've accomplished. Because of Seascapes USA’s low student to instructor ratios, we can easily adapt for individual students' learning challenges. If a particular skill is difficult for one or two students, those students will work individually with the instructor or divemaster until they master that skill.
Do I have to meet any special physical qualifications or considerations before I participate in a scuba class?
Diving is a relatively relaxing activity, but gear, changing water conditions, and unplanned emergencies may require significant physical effort to overcome safely. You should be comfortable in water too deep to stand, and in reasonably good physical condition. You demonstrate this to us in part by completing the required swimming skills by the time you finish the course (swim 200 yards using any stroke with no time limit and complete a 10-minute survival float (tread water). In addition, you should be in good health with no medical condition that is incompatible with diving. You will be required to complete a medical questionnaire before beginning any in-water activities. If you answer yes to any of these questions, a physician’s clearance is necessary.
Is scuba diving expensive?
The actual cost of learning to dive and continuing to dive can vary tremendously, depending on what gear you want to purchase or rent, and where you want to dive. However, most people find it is less expensive than hobbies like golf or snow skiing. We believe in giving you the straight scoop up front, so we tell you what you should expect to spend on the "basics" (entry level training & personal gear), and give you a range of what you could spend if you go whole hog.
How long does a tank last?
This is probably the most commonly asked question - and the only answer is, "it depends!" How fast you breathe down that tank of air depends on your depth, muscle mass, fitness level, comfort in the water, how hard you're working, and what size tank you're using. On an "easy" dive to 50 feet, different divers may get 40 - 70 minutes on a single 80 cubic foot tank. The same dive to twice the depth should result in half as much dive time from the same tank. The better your personal fitness less is and how much experience and training you have, the longer your air will last!
My ears hurt when I dive to the bottom of a pool or fly in an airplane. Won't they hurt when I scuba dive?
You will learn and practice proper techniques for equalizing your ears to compensate for the increased pressure underwater. If you have problems in airplanes, you may find the techniques you learn in the course will help you there, too. Very few people are excluded from diving because their ears just won't equalize.
I'm afraid of sharks - don't they attack scuba divers?
In general, attacks by marine animals on divers are extremely rare. Some creatures will react defensively if you disturb them (keep your fingers out of that eel's den!), or they may be interested in any fish you have just speared. Few species of sharks are considered dangerous and even those are highly unlikely to mistake scuba divers for their usual prey of seals, sea lions, and large fish. A diver is generally more "at risk" driving their car to a dive site or dive boat than on the actual dive.
Is scuba diving dangerous?
Potentially, yes. But, well-trained and conscientious divers have a very low risk of dive accidents. You will learn the potential risks of scuba diving and how to reduce, prevent, and deal with these risks. Continuing your dive education by taking the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course and the PADI Rescue Diver course is a great way to further increase your dive safety and enjoyment.
I wear contact lenses or glasses - can I dive with them?
Diving is a visual sport - if you need more than the mildest vision correction above water, you'll want it underwater. If you wear contacts, you can dive with them with minimal risk of loss. If your contacts were very expensive, try wearing disposable soft contact lenses just for diving; even if one were lost the cost would be low. If you don't wish to wear contacts, you can order corrective lenses for your dive mask. As far as vision correction surgery (RK or Lasik correction), the jury is still out, but Divers Alert Network research indicates there is minimal risk of eye injuries while diving, so long as you properly equalize your mask.
Where and when do Seascapes USA scuba classes meet?
The academic "homework" can be completed in the comfort of your home and on your own schedule. The academic portion can be done through the traditional methods of a PADI Open Water Diver textbook and a PADI Open Water Diver DVD. You will meet with Seascapes USA’s instructor to review your chapter knowledge reviews and to answer any questions you might have. You will need to pass 4 quizzes that are 10 questions each and a 50 question multiple-choice exam.
The academic portion can also be completed through PADI’s new eLearning option. The eLearning option is online multimedia presentation that can be done at your convenience anywhere you have a connection to the Internet. You must be at least 13 years old to use the eLearning option due to international Internet laws.
The confined water (pool) sessions are held at Seascapes USA located at 295 Robbins Lane, Syosset, NY 11791. The classes can be scheduled based on your availability and Seascapes USA’s instructor’s availability. Please contact Seascapes USA at (516) 433-7757 to schedule your class.
How old do you have to be to become a certified PADI Open Water Diver?
The minimum age is 10 for the PADI Junior Open Water Diver certification. When a PADI Open Water Junior Diver turns 15, may upgrade to PADI Open Water Diver certification upon reaching 15.
The minimum age for the PADI Open Water Scuba Diver certification is 15.
What equipment do I need for the scuba class?
You need to provide your own personal gear - that includes a mask suitable for scuba diving, snorkel, fins, booties and open-heel fins, and of course your swimsuit and towel. For pool sessions, Seascapes USA will provide scuba air tanks, weights, regulator setup and a buoyancy compensating device (BCD).
What scuba equipment/personal items will I need to bring with me for my scuba lessons?
You will need to bring your mask, fins, booties (if you have open heel fins), snorkel, PADI Open Water manual, logbook, towel and bathing suit or wetsuit.
What is the cost of the scuba course?
Please contact Seascapes USA at (516) 433-7757 for current pricing and to sign up for classes.
How do I sign up for the class?
Please contact Seascapes USA at (516) 433-7757 for current pricing and to sign up for classes.
Where and when are the open water certification dives sessions held?
Open water certification dives are generally scheduled on weekends throughout the spring, summer and fall to meet our students' needs. You will need to complete 4 dives over a two-day period. The days do not have to be back-to-back, but they need to be completed on two separate days. The dives are usually conducted at Oak Beach NY (near Captree).
I'm heading to a warm water location on my vacation - can I do my open water certification dives during my vacation?
Yes. This is called a "referral" and is very common. Seascapes USA’s instructors will give you a form stating that you've met the requirements of the academic and confined water training, and that you're ready for your 4 open water certification dives. We can also help you find an instructor or dive shop at your vacation destination. The dive shop at your vacation location will charge you a separate fee for the open water certification dives and for any gear you might need.
295 Robbins Lane Syosset New York 11791
(516) 433-7757
(516) 433-7757
Seascapes USA
Long Island's Premier Scuba Diving Facility
Long Island's Premier Scuba Diving Facility
Store Hours:
Mon. - Wed. 12pm - 8pm Thurs. Closed Fri. 12pm - 5pm Sat. 10am - 5pm Sun. 10am - 3pm
Mon. - Wed. 12pm - 8pm Thurs. Closed Fri. 12pm - 5pm Sat. 10am - 5pm Sun. 10am - 3pm
