If you are interested in learning to scuba dive, should you take lessons in your own country or can you come to Varadero, Cuba and learn with Scubalibre Varadero.
Diving usually starts with Discover Scuba diving. Normally this was nearly always a pool only experience. Here in Varadero and the bay of pigs we have a pool like area which allows access to the sea direct allowing fish life etc into the area.
What is there to see down there?
A whole new world of incredible sights awaits the scuba diver, no matter what the underwater environment — fresh or saltwater; tropical or temperate; ocean, quarry, lake, or river. What most non-divers don’t realize is that there is plenty of life in non-tropical environments as well. The temperate waters along both coasts of Cuba support many times more life than warm seas. The nutrient-rich waters are thick with the microscopic creatures that form the basis of the entire food chain. The warm Caribbean sea surrounding the south of Cuba is a magnet for scuba divers due to its astonishing visibility. and the famous Cenotes (sinkholes).
Is there an age limit for when you can start learning?
Minimum age restrictions do apply, although these have recently been lowered by some scuba certification agencies with the development of non-certification programs for children as young as 8 years old. These programs allow enthusiastic kids to get a taste of scuba diving under strict supervision and depths not exceeding about 6 feet (2 m).
In general, children must be 10-12 years old, depending on the agency, to be certified as “Junior” divers, who may dive only under restricted conditions (i.e., limited depths and supervision by a scuba professional or certified adult diver). At 15 or 16 years old, students receive the same certification as adult divers. Of course, children mature at varying rates and only parents can decide whether their child is emotionally and physically ready to shoulder the responsibility inherent in scuba diving.
Handicapped individuals can also participate in diving activities with the help of specially trained buddies.
Do you need to purchase your own
equipment?
At Scubalibre Varadero we are able to provide all the basics needed to learn scuba dive – Scuba Equipment, including cylinders and weights.
Manuals and the theoretical material should be purchased by the student from the local dive shop or authorized diving store before departing its country. No material is required to experience the Discovery Scuba program.
Do you have to be fit to dive?
I have been told asthmatics cannot scuba dive is this true? Asthma is a tricky one and you should really consult a doctor who is familiar with diving. Fitness to dive is not based on physical strength, although the equipment can be quite heavy out of the water. Once in the water, we become neutral and move freely, so no stress, no impact, and only exerting as you want it to be. As we age our physical abilities decline and we may not exercise regularly or adequately. And like the rest of the country, our waistline may be growing. Did you know that the average person gains about 3 pounds (1.4 kg) per decade starting at age 20? Being overweight may not itself be a restriction to diving but it may indicate a lack of physical fitness and certainly can put you at greater risk for cardiac incidents.
How much does it cost to learn scuba diving?
Costs for scuba diving compare favorably with those inherent in other active recreational pursuits. Pricing for Open Water scuba training varies widely according to the local market but should include the cost of training materials. Use of scuba equipment for the duration of the course is included with us at Scubalibre Varadero. you can check all of our prices here.