How to Become a Certified Scuba Diver, Step by Step
Brian Vaccaro Sep 14, 2026
People overthink this. Getting certified to scuba dive is a well-worn process that thousands of people go through every year with no prior experience at all. Here's exactly what it looks like, start to finish.
1Decide if diving is actually for you
You don't have to commit to a full certification just to find out if you like breathing underwater. Our Scuba Discovery Experience ($40, ages 10+) puts you in shallow water with an instructor, no certification required. If you'd rather ease in even further, the Snorkeler course ($45, ages 4+) is a lighter first step.
Neither is required before Open Water certification. They're just a low-cost way to be sure before you book the full course.
2Work through online study at your own pace
Your certification journey starts at home. You'll go through self-paced online material covering the basics: how pressure affects your body underwater, how your gear works, dive planning, and safety procedures. There's no clock running here, you do it on your own schedule before your in-person sessions.
3Attend a classroom session
Next you'll meet with an instructor in person to review what you learned online and go deeper on anything that didn't quite click. This is a normal part of the process, and instructors expect questions, that's what the session is for.
4Get in the pool
This is where it gets real. In pool sessions, you'll practice the actual physical skills of diving: clearing your mask underwater, controlling your buoyancy, sharing air with a buddy, and managing your gear, all in a controlled, shallow environment with your instructor right there.
5Complete your open water training dives
Once your pool skills are solid, you'll do four open water training dives, typically over two days. These are where you demonstrate, in real conditions, everything you practiced in the pool. We also cover basic compass navigation during these dives. You can complete these locally, or on a referral basis if you'd rather finish certification on a warm-water vacation.
6Get certified and start diving
Once you've completed your open water dives, you're certified. Your Open Water Diver card is recognized for diving anywhere in the world, not just where you got certified.
Total course fee for all of the above starts at $450, and includes course materials, your classroom and pool sessions, and use of life support equipment (regulator, computer, BC) plus tanks and weights during training. Personal gear like your mask, snorkel, fins, and boots aren't included, but buying it from us gets you properly fitted and a $50 credit.
How long does the whole process take?
It depends on your schedule and how quickly you move through the online material, but many people go from first sign-up to certified diver in a matter of weeks. The online portion moves at your pace, and the classroom, pool, and open water sessions are typically scheduled over a couple of weekends.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to know how to swim?
Yes, basic swimming comfort is a prerequisite for Open Water certification. If you're not confident in the water yet, our swim lesson programs are a good place to start first.
Is there an age minimum?
Junior certifications are available for younger divers with some restrictions, and full Open Water certification is generally available from around age 10-15 with parental consent depending on the specific course. Ask us about the right starting point for your age.
What if I'm nervous about being underwater?
That's extremely common, and it's exactly what the Scuba Discovery Experience and pool sessions are designed to work through gradually, with an instructor present the entire time. Nobody is thrown into deep water on day one.
Can I finish my certification on vacation instead of locally?
Yes. Your open water certification dives can be completed locally with us, on one of our sponsored group travel destinations, or through a referral to finish them on your own vacation destination.
Ready to start? Book your Open Water course or contact Diver Dan's in Kenosha, WI with questions.
