Scuba Diving

1. We have all walked around downtown, been up to Mount Baker, and taken a swim in Lake Whatcom, but how many of us have been to the depths of the lake, or have gone diving around the San Juans? Very few of us. Nearly 70% of our world is underwater, so why do so few of us take advantage of the technology that we have that allows us to explore it? Well, because it is often seen as an expensive hobby.  This does not always have to be the case.
2. Scuba diving is affordable when approached properly and is well worth the money.
3. To get started in scuba diving, you must get your certification, you must know about the initial investment into the hobby and learn the best ways to make the necessary purchases.

• • The first step to getting underwater is obtaining an open water certification.
  • Most expensive aspect
  • Course Outline
  • Shops in town

While in the course, one very important thing you will learn about is the basic gear.

• • Gear for beginners is standard.
  • Wet/Dry Suit
  • BCD
  • Tanks
  • Regulator
  • Mask / Fins / Snorkel

This gear does not need to be purchased exclusively from dive retailers.

• • There are numerous affordable options for buying gear.
  • Craigslist
  • Pawn / Thrift Shops
  • Online
  • Renting

4. Now that you have your open water certification and gear, you are ready to start making use of your investment and see all that the Northwest has to offer.

5. With this information, it is easy to see that diving is not an outlandish or elite hobby. The total start-up is comparable to many other hobbies, like biking or skiing.  Scuba has been the most amazing and rewarding thing I have ever taken a chance on, and hopefully you will give it a try too.