Diving Courses in Cairns

Scuba diving, or simply diving, is one sport that is fast gaining popularity among an increasing number of people. This is because the sport has many beneficial effects that are not usually gained in most traditional sports activities. Chief of these is the thrill of discovery that each diving affords every individual diver.

Before getting into the water, however, a prospective diver should first learn the basics of the sport. Regardless of the type of diving that one is interested in, the first step to take before actually engaging in this sport is to take formal diving lessons or courses. There may be slight differences in approaches as some countries may have certain prerequisites before teaching anyone the basics, prerequisites that may not be required in other countries. In Cairns, Queensland, for example, pre-diving experiences are not actually needed, although some diving centers ask for the student divers to be initially capable of swimming for at least 200 metres. Additionally, a Cairns diving medical clearance is usually asked from prospective divers, which they have to secure first before they can be taught the most basic of all diving courses, which is the Open Water Certification Course.

Otherwise called the entry level course for all scuba diving enthusiasts, the Open Water Certification Course has been specifically designed for novice divers and is usually completed with the issue of a certification from PADI or the Professional Association of Diving Instructors. It is generally divided into two components namely the theoretical component and its practical counterpart. The former involves a study of the sport including the many physiological factors that are involved. The latter, meanwhile, is focused on developing actual diving skills.

Diving courses

Securing an Open Water Diver Course is dependent on the diver's performance, which simply means that earning the needed certification will depend on how well one performs during the many diving tests that will be provided for the entire duration of the course. Simply put, if one is able to demonstrate mastery of the various diving knowledge and skills, then a PADI certificate will be issued.

In general, the course can last anywhere from three to four days starting with its theoretical aspect, where one is taught basic diving concepts in a classroom-like setting. Afterward, confined pool diving will follow, where students take the initial steps at mastering the skills taught to them. Finally, diving in open water concludes the entire course, with classes in Cairns being particularly special since the open water component is carried out in the famous Great Barrier Reef. 

Once a diver learns to master his diving skills, he can opt to take more advanced diving courses like the Advanced Open Water Course, followed by the Stress and Rescue Course, then the Divemaster Course, before finally opting for the Diving Instructor Course, which is considered as the ultimate and the highest of all diving courses.