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General SCUBA Diving Questions
Questions about SPE Dive School, LLC Courses
Questions about Cayman Dive Travel
Just how difficult is it to learn to dive?
It's a lot easier than one would expect. The pool skills are brief and simple for those who are comfortable in the water. Every individual will move along according to his or her mastery of the skills. Individual assistance is always provided by our qualified and attentive 12-person teaching staff.
Are there special requirements that I have to meet before taking a course?
Anyone in good health who is 12 years or older can participate in a SCUBA course. You will be asked to complete a medical statement at the time of registration.
Do I need to be an excellent swimmer to take a SCUBA course?
Basic swimming ability is all you need. If you like water, you will love diving! (You must be able to complete a 200 meter swim and a ten minute survival float.)
If my ears hurt when I swim to the bottom of the pool, will that prevent me from SCUBA diving?
No. One of the things you will learn in your SCUBA course is how to relieve the pressure that water exerts on your ear drums (just like you would do on an airplane).
If I wear contact lenses or glasses, can I still SCUBA dive?
Yes, you can wear soft contact lenses while diving, or you can have us install custom-made prescription lenses in your mask.
I completed a SCUBA course at a resort on a vacation a few years ago. Does this mean I'm certified?
Some vacation resorts offer courses that last a few hours but most of these are not certification programs. If you did not complete the classroom work, exams, practical pool skills sessions, four open water dives and receive your diving photo identification card, you are not certified!
Your entry-level course is a PADI Certification program. What does this mean?
PADI stands for Professional Association of Diving Instructors. It is the largest SCUBA franchise in the world, certifying more than half of all divers worldwide. Once you are PADI certified, you will get a computerized identification card (it's waterproof!). With this card, you will have international recognition enabling you to go diving, rent equipment and fill your tank with air (if you buy your own gear) just about anywhere! Learn more about our entry-level courses.
I want to get certified for an upcoming trip but I'm not sure that I have time for the lecture course. What are my options?
Since both the written work and pool sessions can be time consuming, we recommended that you try to complete these before, not during, your vacation. If you don't have time for the lecture course, try to study the text on your own and do the pool training with us before you go. This way, you only have to complete your check-out dives on vacation. More enjoyable for you! Learn more about self-study options.
How long will it take me to become certified?
We offer SCUBA courses that take place over a 3-day holiday weekend or you can sign up for a course that meets 2 nights a week for 3 weeks. You may complete your certification dives on a weekend, anywhere, once you have completed the course. See our course calendar for upcoming classes.
When should I take the course?
SPE Dive School, LLC caters to busy professionals. Some of our students have had to wait several years to find time to take the course. We recommend that you enroll in a course as soon as your schedule allows, regardless of when you plan to go on your dive trip. If you complete the course several months before your dive trip, we'll invite you to participate in a free of charge "brush up" before your departure. Check out the course calendar to find a course that fits your schedule.
What kind of gear do I need to take the course?
You will need to supply your SCUBA-rated personal gear (mask, snorkle, fins, boots, weights, and weight belt) and the course manual/video. We recommend that you do not buy anything until you have attended the "Gear Selection Mini-Clinic" presented at our orientation meetings. Though we are not a retail dive shop, we do offer the best equipment at discount prices as a service ONLY available to our students.
I'm planning to complete my open water dives on my next business trip and I don't have time for a course, but I would like personal training. Do I miss the opportunity?
Not at all! We offer private SCUBA training, which enables the course to be condensed and taught in a fraction of the time a regular course takes. If this doesn't work for you, we'll enthusiastically refer you to another dive educator that might be able to accommodate you. Contact us to learn more about private training options.
I want to do my open water dives in Grand Cayman, but my husband is not into diving. Is there anything for him to do?
Grand Cayman offers something for everyone, not just divers. There is plenty of shopping, beautiful beaches to relax on and for those who don't mind getting their hair wet, a myriad of excellent water activities like snorkeling, jet skiing, para-sailing, deep sea fishing, submarine rides ... the list goes on.
Where would we stay in Grand Cayman and how much does it cost?
If you let us know after you make your plans, we will gladly make arrangements for you to stay at the Sunshine Suites, a hotel where we have special arrangements. It's across the street from the most beautiful beach in Grand Cayman (7-mile beach) and a steal at $110 per room per night. Each room sleeps two, has a full kitchen and includes complimentary breakfast by the pool. Visit our dive travel page to learn more or check out the Sunshine Suites web page.
I'm already a certified diver, and my best friend is taking the course. Can I tag along?
We encourage it! We want our students to make great dive buddies as well as great divers. You can join in on the pool work! As a certified diver, you might also want to take the opportunity to get an advanced certification or take a specialty course such as Rescue Diver.
What is DAN?
 DAN stands for the Divers Alert Network. It is a nonprofit safety organization affiliated with Duke University Medical Center. Many of our students become members of DAN to take advantage of their travel insurance benefits and assistance. Learn more about DAN and join today.
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