Do I need to do some sort of course to use a camera while scuba diving? or is a normal PADI scuba diver certificate fine? Sounds a bit stupid..but thought it better to ask before spending £300+. Thanks!

Best reply by moviebuff:

No. An underwater photography course is intended to help you learn how to take better pictures sooner, but there is no reason that you HAVE to take a course to use a camera. There are no scuba police out there verifying qualifications.

Specialty courses are designed to accelerate the learning process, but trial and error is always an option. In some cases trial & error gives the test before the lesson, but with photography generally all you are risking is taking pictures you aren’t happy with.

Just watch your buoyancy while taking photos, many people get overly focused on the camera and lose buoyancy control.

Read the original question on Yahoo! site
Do you need further qualifications to use a camera while scuba diving?

Do I need to do some sort of course to use a camera while scuba diving? or is a normal PADI scuba diver certificate fine? Sounds a bit stupid..but thought it better to ask before spending £300+. Thanks!

Best reply by moviebuff:

No. An underwater photography course is intended to help you learn how to take better pictures sooner, but there is no reason that you HAVE to take a course to use a camera. There are no scuba police out there verifying qualifications.

Specialty courses are designed to accelerate the learning process, but trial and error is always an option. In some cases trial & error gives the test before the lesson, but with photography generally all you are risking is taking pictures you aren’t happy with.

Just watch your buoyancy while taking photos, many people get overly focused on the camera and lose buoyancy control.

Read the original question on Yahoo! site
Do you need further qualifications to use a camera while scuba diving?

Scuba diving is something I have wanted to learn for a long time. I’d really like for a friend to take lessons with me, but my friends are either too busy or not interested in learning to dive. So I’d be starting totally on my own, not knowing any other divers. Can you give me some tips on getting started and meeting others to dive with?

Best reply by Doug:

You are in the same situation that I was years ago.

First, find a dive shop in your area. If there are multiple shops, do any of them have a dive club?

Second, take the basic open water course from that dive shop. Try to sign up for a group class. Do your certification dives locally (instead of internationally). Get the names of the people in your certification class. You’ll probably find a lot of people that will be interested in diving, but are lacking a dive buddy just like you.

Hopefully, there is some where local that a lot of diver will go to train. It may not be the best diving environment, but it allows you to dive.

If you like that dive shop, take some trips with them.

Read more replies
What’s the best way to get involved with scuba diving and meet people to dive with?

Scuba diving is something I have wanted to learn for a long time. I’d really like for a friend to take lessons with me, but my friends are either too busy or not interested in learning to dive. So I’d be starting totally on my own, not knowing any other divers. Can you give me some tips on getting started and meeting others to dive with?

Best reply by Doug:

You are in the same situation that I was years ago.

First, find a dive shop in your area. If there are multiple shops, do any of them have a dive club?

Second, take the basic open water course from that dive shop. Try to sign up for a group class. Do your certification dives locally (instead of internationally). Get the names of the people in your certification class. You’ll probably find a lot of people that will be interested in diving, but are lacking a dive buddy just like you.

Hopefully, there is some where local that a lot of diver will go to train. It may not be the best diving environment, but it allows you to dive.

If you like that dive shop, take some trips with them.

Read more replies
What’s the best way to get involved with scuba diving and meet people to dive with?