No. While we may sometimes invite friends and family members to join us for the last open water dive, the rest of the training dives are for students only. In training situations, it is best to maintain the integrity of the classroom atmosphere without additional distractions.

Yes, children age 10 and 11 may experience introductory dives and earn the Scuba Diver certification. Children ages 12 and up may complete all levels of certification through Rescue Diver. Minimum age for Divemaster candidates is 18.

Students & guided divers must provide their own transportation to and from our shop and all dive sites. Please do not have someone drop you off, as we will be unable to transport you.

To replace a lost card you can contact MDDC ( dive@mauidreamsdiveco.com ), or you can go to the replacement card area at padi.com. It takes about two weeks to replace a certification card so if you are diving sooner than that, have the PADI Dive Center or Resort you're diving with call PADI. PADI will transmit your certification information. If you were certified after 1984 in PADI Asia Pacific, PADI Americas, PADI Canada, PADI International Limited or PADI Europe territory, PADI Dive Centers or Resorts can usually verify your certification through the computerized Dive-Chek system at any time.

Absolutely. The PADI Discover Scuba Diving experience allows you to make a shallow scuba dive supervised by a PADI Professional. This usually takes a few hours.

The dive medical community offers the following recommendations for flying after diving, whether you’re using the RDP, another table or a dive computer:

For Dives within the No-Decompression Limits:

• Single Dives - A minimum preflight surface interval of 12 hours is suggested.
• Repetitive Dives and/or Multiday Dives - A minimum preflight surface interval of 18 hours is suggested.

For Dives Requiring Decompression Stops:

• A minimum preflight surface interval greater than 18 hours is suggested.

With all dive tables and computers, no flying after diving recommendation can guarantee that decompression sickness will never occur. These guidelines represent the best estimate presently known for a conservative, safe surface interval for the vast majority of divers. There may always be an occasional diver whose physiological makeup or special dive circumstances result in decompression sickness despite following the recommendations.

No. Wearing soft contact lenses shouldn't be a problem while you dive. However, if you wear hard contacts, you'll want to dive with gas permeable lenses. See your eye doctor for more information. Another option is to have prescription lenses put into your mask. See a PADI Professional about this service.

No, but there are potential hazards, which is why you need proper training and certification.

Most aquatic animals are passive or timid. A few do bite or sting, but you can avoid these by not touching them. Divers aren't natural prey for sharks and therefore shark attacks are rare.

Your ears hurt because of the water pressure on your eardrum. In your scuba course, you'll learn simple techniques to equalize your ears to the surrounding pressure, much like you do when you land in an airplane.

Since people breathe at different rates and as you go deeper you consume air faster, there isn't any one answer. Because of this, divers carry a gauge that lets them know how much air is in the tank. However, divers in calm, warm water from 5-10 metres/15-30 feet can spend about one hour underwater with an average tank.

Recreational divers breathe air, not oxygen. The air in a scuba tank is like the air you're breathing but is also filtered to remove impurities.

It's best to check with your instructor ahead of time to see what equipment is provided in your scuba course. Generally speaking, you'll want to own a mask, snorkel and fins. MDDC can help you select quality equipment that fits properly. Most scuba equipment is very durable, so you won't have to replace it often.

No. Like any hobby or recreation, you can invest however much you want, depending upon your interest level. Because most dive centers and resorts rent equipment, you can invest in equipment over time, renting what you don't have. There's probably good diving not far from where you live, so travel costs can be flexible enough to accommodate even the tightest budget. Most people find the costs of scuba diving similar to the cost associated with snow skiing or mountain biking.

No. You need to be a reasonably proficient swimmer and comfortable in the water. You must swim 200 metres/200 yards nonstop, without a time or specific stroke requirement or a 300 metre/yard swim with mask, fins and snorkel. You'll also perform a 10 minute tread/float.

No. Generally speaking, anyone in good average health and at least 10 years old can participate. You will, however, complete a medical questionnaire. If anything on the questionnaire indicates a reason to be cautious about diving, you'll need check with a physician to make sure you can dive.

You must be at least ten years old to receive a Junior Open Water Diver Certification. Ten and 11 year old Junior Open Water Divers must dive with a certified parent, guardian or PADI Professional to a maximum depth of 12 metres/40 feet. 12 to 14 year olds must dive with a certified adult. At age 15, the Junior certification upgrades to a regular Open Water Diver certification.

PADI courses are performance based, which means that you earn your certification when you demonstrate that you've mastered the required skills and knowledge. Because some learn faster than others, course duration varies. For example, the PADI Open Water Diver course can be split into five or six sessions over as little as three days to a much as six weeks.

No, it's probably easier than you imagine -- especially if you're already comfortable in the water. PADI's entry-level course consists of pool diving, knowledge development and open water dives. The course is performance based, meaning that you progress as you learn and demonstrate knowledge and skill.

The best way is to contact us ({mailto address='dive@mauidreamsdiveco.com' encode='hex}) and we will help get you started!

The National Geographic Diver program allows individuals to become certified scuba divers or, if already certified, the opportunity to increase their diving skills. The program promotes adventure, discovery, exploration and aquatic conservation. Along with learning basic dive skills and mastering safety information, National Geographic Divers complete a National Geographic Knowledge Review based on information gained by interacting with the National Geographic Diver Almanac and DVD. They also demonstrate the ability to hover in at least three different positions. During an open water dive, divers participate in an Exploration Project that includes gathering information and creating a visual representation of the dive site detailing specific features. They also may practice navigating a square or rectangle pattern using a compass and natural references or participate in an aquatic life identification exercise.

National Geographic partnered with PADI, the world’s leader in dive education, to jointly create the National Geographic Diver Program. Both organizations have the common goal of encouraging public interest in recreational diving worldwide and exposing people to the aquatic environment to help them gain a better appreciation of our underwater cultural heritage.

The program is open to beginners as well as the experienced diving enthusiast. Experienced divers can become National Geographic Divers by enrolling in the

National Geographic Portal.

Yes. We offer photos CDs of your dive for only $40. CDs include hi-resoution/printable photo files of your dive, and also frequently include video clips. CDs are available for pick-up the day after your dive trip with us, and are viewable at our in-store photo kiosk prior to purchase.

Note: Underwater digital and film cameras are also available for rental.

Yes. Download and/or print the Medical Statement, complete it and bring it with you.