Question 1

How old do I need to be to learn scuba diving?

Accepted Answer

PADI Discover Scuba Diving and PADI Junior Open Water Diver both begin at age 10. Students ages 10–14 earn Junior Open Water certification and must follow age-specific depth and supervision limits. At age 15, the Junior certification can be upgraded to Open Water Diver. Ask Splash about the best experience for your child.

Question 2

What are the steps to become a certified PADI diver?

Accepted Answer

Start with PADI eLearning at your own pace, practice scuba skills during instructor-led pool sessions, then complete four qualifying open-water training dives. Splash can arrange local checkout dives at regional quarries or help with a referral to a PADI dive center at your vacation destination. You earn certification after successfully completing all requirements.

Question 3

Should I try Discover Scuba or get certified?

Accepted Answer

First Adventure (PADI Discover Scuba Diving) is a supervised pool experience for curious beginners. It starts at $59, and no certification is awarded. If you already know you want to dive on vacations and beyond, enroll in PADI Open Water Diver. The standard course starts at $629 and leads to an internationally recognized certification after all requirements are completed.

Question 4

Do I need previous scuba diving experience?

Accepted Answer

No. Both Splash's Discover Scuba experience and the PADI Open Water Diver course are designed for beginners. An instructor will explain the equipment, safety procedures, and skills you need.

Question 5

Do I need to know how to swim to get certified?

Accepted Answer

For PADI Open Water Diver certification, you must demonstrate basic water skills, including a 200-meter or 200-yard continuous swim (or a 300-meter/yard swim with mask, fins and snorkel) and 10 minutes floating or treading water. You do not need to be a competitive swimmer. Contact Splash if you are unsure about your comfort in the water.

Question 6

What happens during Discover Scuba?

Accepted Answer

In Splash's guided First Adventure experience, you learn the basics of the equipment and safe breathing underwater, practice simple skills, and enjoy a supervised pool session. This introduction starts at $59 and does not result in scuba certification.

Question 7

Can I complete my certification dives on vacation?

Accepted Answer

Yes. With a PADI Open Water referral, you can complete eLearning and pool skills with Splash in Pittsburgh, then arrange the four qualifying open-water dives through a participating PADI dive center at your vacation destination. The destination operator schedules and charges for those dives separately. Ask Splash to coordinate your referral paperwork before traveling.

Question 8

Are there health or medical requirements for scuba training?

Accepted Answer

All participants complete a diver medical questionnaire. Depending on your answers, a physician's evaluation may be required before in-water training. Contact Splash in advance if you have a medical question so your class is not delayed. Your physician, not the dive shop, determines medical fitness when clearance is required.

Question 9

What equipment do I need for Open Water training?

Accepted Answer

You will learn to use a mask, snorkel, fins, regulator, buoyancy-control device, cylinder and other scuba equipment. Exactly what is included in the class fee versus what you need to own, rent or purchase depends on the course package. Check with Splash before booking or buying gear so you get the right fit and know the full cost.

Question 10

Can I learn to scuba dive in Pittsburgh?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Splash teaches pool skills locally and offers qualifying open-water training dives at regional quarries. You can complete certification locally or use a referral to finish the open-water portion while traveling.

Question 11

How much does beginner scuba training cost at Splash?

Accepted Answer

Splash's First Adventure (Discover Scuba) starts at $59. The standard PADI Open Water Diver course starts at $629. A lower price may apply to a specific referral-training arrangement, but that is not the regular full-certification price. Confirm equipment costs and any separately paid destination referral dives before booking.

Question 12

How do I book a class or get help choosing?

Accepted Answer

If you want to try scuba first, book Splash's Discover Scuba experience. If you want to earn a certification, choose an Open Water Diver class from the online booking schedule. For personal guidance, call Splash Water Sports at 412-531-5577.

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First Adventure

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Open Water Diver

Vacation Referral Option

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