So what's the big deal about diving? Why is it the fastest growing sport this side of in-line skating? For a lot of us, the answer is "Because it's there. You can't know the ocean by sailing on top of it. That's like exploring a forest from an airliner. Below the water's surface lies an alternate reality where you trade the tyranny of gravity for the freedom of weightlessness. You also trade this gaseous topside world for a liquid environment 800 times more dense than air, reducing your movements to those of a slow-motion mime.

Like any sport, you have to learn how to scuba dive. That means getting certified (know in the biz as "getting your C-Card). The card proves to dive-boat operators and Dive Shop owners that you have completed an approved educational course. You can't make a dive from a boat, or even get scuba tanks filled with air, without flashing the card.

Return to Getting Certified
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