Can You Teach Yourself to Scuba Dive?

When you’re looking to get into scuba diving, one of the first things you might wonder is whether or not you can teach yourself to scuba dive.

The answer? No.

There are two primary reasons for this answer, firstly it is extremely hazardous and secondly if you did teach yourself then without a certification card you would not be able to purchase any scuba equipment, get air fills or go out on a dive boat.

While diving may look easy from the surface, it is actually a more complex sport that demands a good understanding of the science and skills involved before you can dive safely, even in shallow water. That's why divers are trained to a high level before they gain a certification card and are allowed to go off diving without the direct supervision of an instructor. Diving is an extremely safe sport because of the certification process.

It's not hard learning to dive with an PADI instructor. You commence with eLearning that makes it easy to fit scuba lessons into a busy schedule. Learn about scuba diving principles and terminology whenever, wherever it's convenient for you. It's your course on your time. Study offline, or online using a computer or mobile device. Connect with your instructor whenever you have a question.
Once you have completed the theory, you will then move onto learning how to use scuba gear in a pool (or pool-like environment) with your instructor until you feel confident. The confined water training involves learning more than twenty specific skills and practicing "mini dives" to help you build confidence in your new abilities before making four dives in open water in the ocean.

If you're interested in getting into scuba diving, it would be unwise and dangerous for you to attempt teach yourself. It is far wiser to be instructed by a PADI Instructor from a nearby dive shop.

What Recently Certified Divers Say: