SCUBA DIVING FAQs

You’re looking for a new fun and exciting adventure! Learning to SCUBA dive is the opportunity of a lifetime that will open your eyes to the world’s largest treasure and playground waiting for you to discover. Can you see yourself swimming with the seals off the Isles of Shoals, searching for historical artifacts of 1600s, 1700s, 1800s, and 1900s, seeing lobsters, founders, and crabs along the Portsmouth Channel/Harbor/waterways of the Piscataqua River? SCUBA diving offers countless ways to see and experience aquatic life in its natural environment, and will open doors to new relationships and memories that will last a lifetime.

Still not convinced? Our staff at Portsmouth Scuba is at your disposal to answer your questions and to help make your SCUBA diving goals a reality. We will offer you the opportunity to participate in Discover SCUBA, giving you firsthand experience swimming and breathing air underwater in full SCUBA diving apparatus. Our instructor(s) will work closely with you to teach you the basic skills to experience life underwater. When you are ready, our instructor(s) will teach you how to SCUBA dive safely through the PADI Certified Open Water Scuba Diving course.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How old do you have to be to get certified?

PADI requires you to be at least 10 years old to become a Junior Open Water Diver.

• Ages 10–11: Must dive with a certified parent, guardian, or PADI professional and stay within a maximum depth of 40 feet.

• Ages 12–14: Must dive with a certified adult.

• Age 15: Your Junior certification upgrades automatically to a regular Open Water Diver certification.

Why do I need to get certified to dive?

Certification is important for your safety. In a PADI course, you'll learn how to dive safely, manage risks, and handle your equipment properly.
Your PADI certification card is proof of your training. Without it, dive shops won’t rent you gear, fill your tank, or allow you to join guided dives.

How long will I be certified?

Your PADI certification never expires. However, it’s important to keep your skills fresh by diving regularly—at least once a year is recommended.
If you’ve been out of the water for a while, a SCUBA Tune-Up or Refresher Course is a great way to get back in the game.

Will the fish bother me?

Most fish are curious or shy—they won’t bother you. Many will keep their distance, while others, like seals and barracudas, may follow you around out of curiosity. Remember, you’re a visitor in their world—respect the marine life and enjoy the view!

How expensive is scuba diving?

Scuba diving does have some upfront costs:

• Basic personal gear (mask, snorkel, fins, boots): ~$210

• PADI Open Water certification course: $500–$600 (includes some rental gear)

• Full gear rental (BCD, regulator, wetsuit, etc.): ~$110 per day

• Purchasing full scuba setup: ~$1,000+

Once you own your gear, your ongoing costs are mainly annual maintenance, air fills, and travel to dive sites.

Is it hard to learn to scuba dive?

Not at all! The PADI Open Water course is designed for beginners and includes:

1. Knowledge development (classroom or eLearning)

2. Confined water (pool) training

3. Four open water dives
   You'll progress at your own pace until you're ready for certification.

Can I get certified in just three days?

It’s possible, but it depends! The course is performance-based. If you complete the academics, pool work, and open water dives in a few days, you can earn your certification in as little as three days—though most people complete it in 4–5 days or over several weeks.

How deep can I dive?

As an Open Water Diver, you can dive to 60 feet. With additional training, like the Advanced Open Water course, you can dive to 100 feet.
Recreational limits stop at 130 feet—but it’s always important to dive within your training and comfort level.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer to get certified?

You just need to be comfortable in the water. Certification requires:

• A 200-yard swim (any stroke, no time limit)

• A 10-minute float/tread

What’s in a scuba tank? Oxygen?

Most tanks contain compressed air, the same air we breathe every day (about 21% oxygen). Specialized gas mixtures like Nitrox or Trimix are used for specific diving applications, but recreational divers typically use air.

How long does a tank of air last?

It depends on the diver, depth, and conditions.
For example, a diver sightseeing at 20–30 feet with an 80-cubic-foot tank might expect about an hour of air. Your air consumption will vary based on depth, exertion, and breathing rate. That’s why you’ll always monitor your air gauge!

My ears hurt when I dive to the bottom of a pool. Won’t they hurt when I scuba dive?

They can—but in your scuba course, you’ll learn how to equalize pressure by using simple techniques, just like when you pop your ears on an airplane.

Is scuba diving dangerous?

Scuba diving is very safe when you follow your training and dive within your limits. Like driving a car, there are risks, but with proper instruction and common sense, scuba diving is a safe and enjoyable activity.

Do I have to buy scuba gear?

No, you can rent most of your gear—BCD, regulator, tanks, wetsuit, weights—from a dive shop. You’ll want your own mask, snorkel, boots, and fins because they’re personal fit items.
A full set of rental gear usually costs about $110 per day.

What are “the bends”?

Decompression sickness (the bends) happens when nitrogen bubbles form in your body due to improper ascent or missed safety stops. You’ll learn how to avoid this in your scuba course. Following safe dive practices makes “the bends” rare and preventable.

I lost my certification card—how can I get a replacement?

No worries! Contact Portsmouth Scuba, and we’ll help you request a replacement from PADI for a $40 fee. If you’re traveling, you can also verify your certification online or by calling 1-800-729-7234.