Q: What are the levels of diving certifications?
A: Diving certifications from various diving systems generally include Basic Diver, Advanced Diver, Rescue Diver, Dive Leader, and Dive Instructor. Before participating in a Basic Diver course, it's recommended to try introductory diving to see if diving suits you. For higher-level courses, it's advisable to accumulate sufficient diving experience before enrolling. Diving certifications affirm one's diving abilities and experience; it's not recommended to consecutively take different level courses without proper experience accumulation.
Q: How many days does the Basic Diver certification course take?
A: Currently, Basic Diver courses offered by various dive shops typically span 3 days with 16 hours of instruction. Ocean Channel Diving offers a 4-day, 26-hour course that includes theoretical and practical sessions with four scuba tank dives, and video documentation of practical exercises for post-dive review.
Q: What are the differences between diving certification systems?
A: When diving is not considered a profession, there is generally no difference between certifications issued by different international associations. All certifications are internationally recognized and widely accepted. The key is to choose a reputable instructor and dive shop that suits your needs. It's similar to choosing a telecom provider; all can provide service, but some may offer better signal quality than others.
Q: How do I choose a suitable instructor or dive shop?
A: You can conduct online searches for reviews or ask for recommendations from friends. Personal preference usually plays a significant role. You can also communicate with dive shops to evaluate if they are suitable for you.
Q: Which diving system does Ocean Channel Diving certify under?
A: Ocean Channel Diving is certified under the International Confederation of Underwater Activities (CMAS), established in 1959 with headquarters in Rome, Italy. It is a member of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). CMAS is the only diving organization recognized by the International Olympic Committee to organize world diving competitions. It plays a crucial role in coordinating member countries and establishing diving competition rules.
Q: For a 4-day Basic Diver course, how should I arrange my arrival and departure times to and from Penghu?
A: Penghu is an outlying island of Taiwan, and diving is constrained by flight schedules. It's recommended to arrive in Penghu before 10:00 am on the first day and depart after 5:00 pm on the fourth day. Alternatively, plan for a vacation of five days or more.
Q: What specialized skills are taught in the Advanced Diver course?
A: The Ocean Channel Diving Advanced Diver course includes skills such as buoyancy control, navigation, deep diving, boat diving, and night diving.
Q: How long does the Advanced Diver course last?
A: The course spans 2 days with a total of 18 hours of instruction. Please consider Penghu flight schedules for your travel arrangements.
Q: If I decide to quit the course midway, can I get a refund?
A: Course fees are non-refundable if an individual cannot continue for personal reasons. Before enrolling in a Basic Diver course, it's recommended to try introductory diving to see if it suits you. For higher-level courses, it's advisable to accumulate sufficient diving experience before enrolling. Diving certifications affirm one's diving abilities and experience; it's not recommended to consecutively take different level courses without proper experience accumulation.
Q: Will diving courses be canceled due to bad weather or rain?
A: Rain does not affect diving activities unless heavy rain affects on-land transportation safety. Coaches evaluate suitable instructional dive sites based on weather and wave conditions. If the dive shop cancels courses due to weather and wave conditions, they will notify you in advance and arrange alternative suitable course times.
