This is a personal recommendation for embarking on your journey from Zero to Hero in scuba diving, aligned with SDI/TDI standards.
Your Very First Step
The initial milestone is obtaining your Open Water Scuba Diver certification, enabling you to dive with air to a depth of 18 meters. This course includes online theory and an exam. To maximize your learning, consider combining it with the Nitrox Diver course, as the theoretical components overlap significantly. This combination will allow you to dive to your certification depth using either air or Nitrox with 22%-40% oxygen.
Next, broaden your experience by completing training dives. Connect with divers in your area and acquire your starter equipment to kick off your adventure!
Continuing Your Adventure
Once you’ve completed around 20-25 dives, it’s time to expand your knowledge through specialty courses. I highly recommend the dry suit course (a must in Switzerland), as well as night diving and low visibility (both highly recommended in Switzerland), and the deep diver course, which will extend your depth limit to 40 meters without the need for decompression.
Continue your training—there’s no rush for additional courses. Instead, focus on applying what you’ve learned and aim to reach the coveted 50-dive mark.
Enhance Your Safety and the Safety of Your Buddies
Learn how to rescue yourself and others in case of emergencies. This is where the Rescue Diver and Emergency First Aid courses come into play. Both are essential for experienced divers and, importantly, a lot of fun!
Once you complete your Rescue Diver training, it’s time to chart your next course.
Your Next Direction
• Sport Diving: With over 50 dives, 4 specialties, and a Rescue certification, you can apply for the Master Scuba Diver certification. This accolade recognizes your achievements within the sport diving community. Remember, learning never stops! Continue training and explore additional specialties that pique your interest, such as wreck diving, cavern diving, photography, videography, or refining skills like advanced buoyancy and diving foundations.
• Professional/Instructor: It’s time to embark on the Divemaster course. I strongly recommend undertaking this with an experienced instructor as an apprenticeship over 4-6 months. This time allows you to observe and learn how to manage other divers professionally. After becoming a Divemaster, seek out an instructor trainer and enroll in your instructor development course, culminating in an evaluation by your instructor trainer and a peer. An IDC/IE typically takes 3-6 months, and working closely with your instructor trainer will be invaluable for your future.
Getting into Technical Diving
This path offers virtually endless choices. Start by deciding on a configuration and taking a fundamentals course to prepare for your technical diving journey. For doubles, enroll in the Intro to Tech course, and for sidemount, the Technical Sidemount course. Then, it’s time to increase your dive limits. You’ll need to learn how to safely breathe more than 40% oxygen (Advanced Nitrox course) and how to dive deeper down to 45 meters, requiring staged decompression and gas switching (Decompression Procedures course). After acquiring these new skills, take a break from courses and focus on training. Booking 20 to 30 deco dives will build your confidence and appetite for more. Yes, it’s addictive, and there’s no turning back—you’ll be eager for more adventures!
Hooked on Cave Diving
Consider enrolling in the Intro to Cave, Full Cave, or Stage Cave courses to gain experience in cave diving—an amazing and rewarding opportunity!
Going Even Deeper
If cave diving isn’t your passion, you may want to explore deeper waters. This is achievable through open circuit diving; you can enroll in Trimix and later Advanced Trimix courses to reach depths beyond 100 meters. However, keep in mind that diving deep requires frequent dives. Dives to depths of 40 meters or more are not typically done during summer holidays after long breaks from diving. It’s essential to dive regularly. If you plan to dive often, be mindful of the helium costs needed to prepare your Trimix for each dive.
Blending Your Own Gases
One way to reduce costs is to obtain your blender certification and maintain basic blending equipment. While there are initial expenses, buying Trimix from a shop can be even more costly in the long run.
Hello, Rebreather!
Regardless of your choices, Trimix can be pricey nowadays. For those diving deep, transitioning to a rebreather is often a one-way street. If you’re a deco procedures diver with some experience, after purchasing a unit from an instructor, you’ll need to complete your air diluent course, followed by the Helitrox course, where you’ll learn to dive down to 45 meters using normoxic Trimix. After gaining more experience through diving, you’ll be ready for your Mixed Gas Course (60 meters normoxic), eventually progressing to your Advanced Mixed Gas Course (hypoxic <15% O2), where you’ll be capable of diving to depths greater than 90 meters.
Wrapping Up
Embarking on your scuba diving journey is not just about acquiring certifications or mastering skills; it’s about embracing a world of adventure and discovery. Each dive is an opportunity to connect with the ocean’s mysteries, from vibrant coral reefs to haunting wrecks. As you progress from novice to expert, remember that the true essence of diving lies in the experiences you share, the friendships you forge, and the breath taking moments that take your breath away—both literally and figuratively.
Stay curious, remain committed, and keep pushing your limits. The underwater world awaits you, filled with wonders and challenges that will enrich your life in ways you can only begin to imagine. Dive deep, explore widely, and let your passion for diving propel you to new heights!