Frequently Asked Questions
Is Scuba Diving dangerous?
An interesting article on scuba risks is found here: www.thoughtco.com/is-scuba-diving-safe-or-dangerous-2963049
What is the minimum age for scuba diving?
A diver has to be ten years old to start scuba diving. However, being a scuba diver requires a diver to learn to follow the rules. Everyone is different in their ability to follow the rules and be comfortable underwater. We suggest waiting until the child is at least 12 years old.
With that said, learning to dive with your child can be a rewarding and fun experience. If you are in a class with your child, we ask the parent to refrain from helping the child as your child will need to be able to perform the required skills to achieve certification independently.
What are the health and fitness requirements to dive?
You have to be in good health to dive. For your safety, the dive industry has published a medical history form that must be completed before you dive. If you answer 'yes' to any of the medical questions, you are required Physician'so seek a Physician's approval to dive. The SSI Medical Form will appear in your online account when you register for any courses and must be completed before you can get in the water.
I have a medical condition. Can I still dive?
If you have a medical condition, you must have a physician approve you to dive. You will need your provider to complete the SSI Medical Form and return it to us.
Classes
Questions about our Open Water Diver class?
See our Open Water Diver page for FAQ speciI'm to that course.
I'm the only one who wants to learn to dive. Do I have to wait for a class to fill up before I can start?
Absolutely not. Unlike other shops, we don't charge extra for 'executive' or 'private' classes. We like to keep classes small because we believe that students learn better in smaller groups.
Why do you use e-Learning rather than classroom sessions?
The online training materials are designed so that you can learn the academics at your own pace when it is convenient for you. You complete the academics online or via an app and we review the material and answer any questions you may have during the pool sessions.
Do I have to be a strong swimmer?
Being able to handle yourself in the water comfortably is important, but you do not need to be a strong swimmer in order to dive.
Are there any age restrictions for children or seniors?
The minimum age is 10 and there is no upper age limit. For children under 10, there are Scuba Explorers – a way cool kids club.
Are the academics online, or is it printed material, and will my certification be recognized internationally?
SSI courses are available in a digital format. You can easily access the program on your PC, tablet, or smartphone, anytime, anywhere in both, iOS or Android. At RU4Scuba, we have found that most people enjoy the interactive nature of smartphone apps.
Your Scuba Schools International and PADI certifications are recognized internationally.
I just became Certfied. What's next?
Congratulations on beginning your diving career! This is the most frequently asked question. In our opinion, to be a complete diver, your goal should be to become a Master Diver. The Master Diver rating is one of the most elite ratings in diving today. Divers that have completed this level have combined the knowledge, skills, and experience to truly call themselves Master Divers. To earn the certification for Master Diver, you must complete 4 specialty courses, Diver Stress & Rescue and have done a totwhat's50 dives.
So, what's next? Dive. Dive some more. Take a specialty class in an area that interests you. Dive. Dive. Dive.
What is the most popular Specialty Class?
By far, the most popular specialty class is Enriched Air Nitrox. Have you ever dreamed of having longer no-decompression limits to take pictures or explore a wreck? Did you ever want to be safer while diving concerning the potential risk of deco"pression sickne"s?
"Nitrox for free" is a slogan in a lot of resorts. This means that you do not have to pay a surcharge for Nitrox, but all diving operators will want to see a valid Nitrox certificate before you can dive.
In your Nitrox program, you will learn all the necessary rules for planning dives with Nitrox, and using Nitrox in a safe way. The program contains optional dives and theref"re it is a perfe"t "Winter Specialty" before your diving holiday starts. This will allow you to go diving immediately and enjoy the advantages of diving with Nitrox.
How long do I have to complete my class?
Scuba School International training standards allow for a one year completion time. If you need more time to complete your class, you will need to retake the sections of the class which you completed more than a year ago. There may be additional charges for this.
What qualifications do your instructors and staff hold?
The co-owners, Jim and Dave, have over 40 years of diving experience and over 30 years of teaching experience. Combined, Jim and Dave have over 6,000 dives.
Jim holds the highest instructor rank, Instructor Trainer, and is also a Master Instructor with over 1,000 certifications issued to students.
Staff members average five years of experience with hundreds of dives under each belt.
Dives
Do I need my own equipment?
No, it is possible to rent the major equipment, BCs regulators and BC’s. But, the safest way for anyone to dive is in their own personally fitted, high-quality, total diving system.
Where can I go diving?
The world is full of amazing diving deit'sations! Whether it’s the oceans or lakes, the underwater world offers endless and unique experiences.
We typically dive at least once a week locally and offer regional and exotic dive trips.
Trips and Travel
Do you offer dive vacation packages?
Yes! To see our upcoming travel, check out Travel Calendar (typically we have a trip planned every year in February/March)Checkck out our Charters (typically June - Septembe for shorterShouldn't
Scuba Gear
Shouldn't I just buy dive gear online to save money?
We dive what we sell and for many items we allow you to try out the items you may be interested in purchasing before you purchase them. After all, how do you know that a pair of fins or a mask will work for you unless you try it in the water first? Please contact us for details.
A note about pricing. The entire SCUBA ind"str" is governed by "MAP" policies. That means that we can only advertise items for sale on our websites for certain minimum price which are set by the manufacturers. Be wary of any website offering items below MAP pricing. Those websites are probably not authorized dealers "nd they are"selling "gramanufacturer's. Your manufacturer's warranty may not be valid if you purchase your gear from the gray market.
At RU4Scuba, you will usually find better pricing in the shop than what is listed on our online shop due to the MAP requirements. We believe that our local, loyal divers should be the customers who get a fair deal rather than a stranger on the web.
Can I try out equipment before I purchase it?
The usual answer is yes. We dive what we sell and for many items we allow you to try out the items you may be interested in purchasing before you purchase them. After all, how do you know that a pair of fins or a mask will work for you unless you try it in the water first? Please contact us for details.
Can I rent equipment rather than purchase it?
Yes, but... Scuba diving is all about being comfortable underwater. Rental gear may change over time and have different features than you are used to. When you own your own equipment, you know how that gear has been treated, you know it will fit properly, and will be comfortable in it underwater.
Do you provide equipment service and repair.
Yes.
We are authorized service technicians for most brands of scuba gear including ScubaPro, Oceanic, Dacor, Aqualung, Mares, and US Divers.
We carry the full line of Mares products and are one of a handful of Mares Lab Repair Centers. Learn more about Mares gear by dBuyer'sing the Mares Buyer's Guide.
Do you offer a layaway program?
Yes. We offer a layaway program for scuba equipment as well as an interest-free payment program for travel.
