Crystal River Florida SCUBA Certification Kids & Teens

Share |

Family Travel Files Ezine Family Vacations Resource

Florida: Crystal River, Family Vacation Plan - Getting SCUBA Certified. Bird's Underwater Crystal River Diving

Learning to dive on vacation - how cool is that? And doing it with my sister and two cousins - even better but SCUBA is not about swimming it is about diving a whole other thing.

My reality check. The first time I stepped into a scuba diving suit I felt somewhat like an alien. I could not bend my arms and legs normally. It was rather confining and then there was the gear. That is the SCUBA (self -contained underwater breathing apparatus) part.The wetsuit plus the gear that includes BCD (buoyancy control device), air tank, flippers, mask, weights, respirator, and snorkel makes an awkward combination on dry land. I felt completely foolish waddling around the dive shop in my suit, carrying my gear.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. Because before I even got my gear and wetsuit there was the PADI dive class for certification. Mine was at Bird’s Underwater Dive Shop in Crystal River. I took a compressed 3-day course that meant when I arrived at the dive shop I had already watched the PADI training video, read the training manual and practiced some of the exercises. That was the case for everyone in the class making the (tedious) time we had to spend in the classroom shorter and the actual practice (fun stuff) in the water easier.

Here's the scoop. I was lucky enough to get certified in the same class with my sister and my two cousins. We stayed in a vacation house near Crystal River. Early in the morning we headed Bird’s Underwater (A PADI 5-Star Dive Shop) to start our SCUBA training. Our instructor was Wayne Bjorken, an interesting man with many underwater stories to tell. We spent four hours in the classroom reviewing the different skills we would need. For example, things like buddy breathing, underwater mask clearing, equalizing and how to set up our equipment. We took quizzes on everything we learned. Then we had a lunch break. When we returned, we headed to a pool to practice everything we had learning in an enclosed underwater environment. It was all easy - no stress. Bird's Underwater Crystal River Dive Shop

Bird's Underwater Crystal River Dive Shop

Nice but can you float? The first time I got into the water in full scuba gear I felt extremely weird. I had trouble staying under the water my first time. The rest of the drills were easy enough (even though I thought they would be difficult). Some of them took me a few tries but Wayne, my instructor, was very helpful and I never once felt pushed. At the end of the afternoon each of us was required to do a 5-minute safety float, without the gear of course. Then we cleaned our gear and put it away.

Swim team was worse than this. The next day, we went back to class and practiced more skills. In the afternoon, after the lunch break, we headed out for our first open water dive. I was needless to say excited. We stopped half way there to do our swim test in the open water. The air seemed chilly and the water was cold but so what? (Swim team was worse than this.) When I finished I returned quickly to the boat. I was obvious to me then why we needed wet suits! As we got closer to our predetermined dive destination, I got more worried. I had done well in the pool but what if it was different in the river? I would be down 25 feet and if I could not equalize or clear my mask, that would not be good.

And then the boat stopped. Each of us performed our equipment check and lined up to enter the water. I was the second one into the water and my nerves grew rapidly edgy. We swam to the marker where we would be diving. It was within the manatee refuge. While treading water and waiting for the others I began to calm down. All if a sudden a huge gray mass swam directly under me about two feet from my facemask. For a moment I felt panic. It really hadn’t yet dawned on me that I would be swimming with manatees. I was already in a nervous state so the “friendly giant” was not what I expected to see. I instantly recalled that manatees are herbivores but I did not want top Bird's Underwater Crystal River PADI Certification

Bird's Underwater Crystal River PADI Certification

be mistaken for a cabbage.

Going down. Our instructor gave final instructions and we began our descent, one person at a time. I was last to go down besides our dive captain. (Let me clarify really quickly about the dive captain and the dive instructor. The dive captain is the captain of the boat. The dive instructor teaches us. So I went down before the dive captain.) I suddenly felt awkward and out of place. My mouth began to hurt from biting down to hard on the mouthpiece. I could not seem to equalize my ears past ten feet. I didn’t want to go any farther. The dive captain swam up next to me. Using the dive signals I had learned in class, I informed him of my problem. He helped me though the equalizing and he and I continued the slow descent. It took me a good five minutes to get down to where the others were waiting.

I was scared and excited at the same time. I found our instructor and he signaled me to flood my mask. I did all of the drills with ease. This was starting to be fun! I swam away to find my sister and cousin. We explored and did flips and turns and lots of other goofy things. I became more and more relaxed. I saw several more manatees in the distance. There were schools of fish and interesting rock formations. We made up our own signals for things and enjoyed using them to talk to one another. When the dive instructor signaled for us to ascend to the surface, I was sad it was over. We went back to the boat, took of our gear off, and headed back to class. We filled out our dive logs and headed home.

The next day was the same. We went to class; took our final dive exam; went lunch and then headed out to dive. This time I wasn’t nervous just excited. I couldn’t wait to dive again. We went down in the same place. It was colder day topside but the water seemed comfortable and warm. We had more complex drills to perform, like removing our mask, and a controlled emergency ascent. We also had time for more exploring. I saw other divers heading for one of the caves. We swam under the refuge volunteers who patrol in kayaks. Bird's Underwater Crystal River SCUBA Lessons

Bird's Underwater Crystal River SCUBA Lessons

And now - PADI Diver Certification. When our dives were done for the day we returned to the classroom. I filled out my dive logs and dive papers for my diver’s license. We all said farewell to our dive instructor who had informed us we would receive our license in the mail. We headed out both relieved and sad it was over. In the car going home my sister and I began to plan our next dive trip. I can’t wait! I am now a certified PADI open water diver.

Family Vacaton Planning Details

Bird's Underwater. The dive shop is located on Kings Bay in Crystal River, on the West Coast of Florida, near the Gulf of Mexico, approximately 60 miles North of Tampa on Highway 19. (320 N.W. Highway 19, Crystal River, FL 34428.Toll-free 1-800-771-2763,(352) 563-2763 or www.birdsdivecenter.com)

PADI Diver Certification. PADI is a world-class multi national organization that provides standardized diver certification courses among many other services. The organization and its members through out the world set the standard for diving safety and education. PADI exists to develop programs that encourage and fulfill the public interest in recreational scuba and snorkel diving worldwide. PADI's courses have been independently evaluated and recommended for college credit equivalency by the American Council on Education (ACE). For details or to locate a dive facility go to www.padi.com (The office of PADI Americas is 30151 Tomas Street, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688-2125. USA Toll-free 1-800-729-7234 or (949) 858-7234.)

Project AWARE. Conservation begins with understanding the need to protect waters necessary for life. Each year Project AWARE introduces a new public awareness and education campaign to address environmental issues and involve individuals in solutions. Project AWARE also teaches enthusiasts how to sustainably interact with aquatic resources and apply these skills to conservation. To learn more go to www.projectaware.org

“In the end, we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught.” Baba Dioum, Senegalese Conservationist.

About the author. Jule Nelson-Duac now holds a PADI Diver Certification and often contributes to thefamilytravelfiles.com. Copyright 2006 - Updated 2011.

Share |

Florida: Space Coast, Family Vacations with Treetop Treks, Ziplining, and Dinosaurs.
Brevard Zoo offers families spring break vacation bonuses that will add adventure to any Florida beach getaway. Just imagine treeptop trekking, ziplining, and dinosaur spotting in one day at the zoo.

Florida: Ft. Myers, Offshore Sailing School Offers A Family Learning Vacation on the Water.
Establishing a meaningful family connection to a lifetime of sailing is the goal of Offshore Sailing School’s new Kids Sail Free initiative offered throughout the summer. This sailing instruction program doubles as an ideal getaway.

FAMILY VACATION IDEAS

Holiday Inn Express Lake Buena Vista

A Walt Disney World Good Neighbor Hotel. Magical vacations start with us. [Read More]

SunStream Hotels & Resorts

Stay with us we are located on the "Best Family-Friendly Beach in the Southeast U.S." voted by Family Fun! Stay 4 Nights at any SunStream Property and get your 5th Night FREE! [Read More]

Florida Farm Stay - Share Adventures in Nature.

Unplug and see what fun awaits your family. [Read More]

Indian Rocks Tommy's on the Beach

Create your own family beach party. Escape to the quiet side of Florida and enjoy an easy island style holiday. [Read More]

Daddy O Hotel

A true four-star boutique hotel with easy access to the Bal Harbour Shops and Haulover Beaches. [Read More]

DoubleTree Hotel at the Entrance to Universal

Located at the Entrance to Universal Orlando and steps from the amazing world of Harry Potter. [Read More]

Best Western Oceanfront Jacksonville Beach

We have the perfect family vacation spot so start your day on the beach with us. [Read More]

Marriott Springhill Suites

Centrally located to family vacation fun. [Read More]

Days Inn Fairgrounds

Bring the kids, stay with us, you won’t break the budget. [Read More]

Southernmost House

Bunny Bundle Special Stay one night and receive the second night at 25% off. [Read More]

Days Inn Fairgrounds

Bring the kids, stay with us, you won’t break the budget. [Read More]

Spring Hill Suites Tampa

Centrally located to family vacation fun. [Read More]

Tommy's on Indian Rocks Beach

Create your own beach party, stay with us. Family and pet friendly. [Read More]

Hyatt Regency Coconut Point

Stay 3 nights, get the 4th night free. Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa -- created specifically with families in mind. [Read More]

Holiday Inn Lakewood Ranch

A posh family vacation spot on the Gulf Coast. [Read More]

World Quest Orlando Resort

An all-suite family vacation spot. [Read More]

Beso Del Sol Resort

The perfect beach destination for all ages close to the energy of Clearwater and Tampa. [Read More]

Island House Beach Resort

Family beach tome on Siesta Kay. [Read More]

Steinhatchee Landing Resort

Family reunions and celebrations. We’ll make them fun, effortless and memorable. [Read More]

Clearwater Beach Holiday Inn

A perfect family vacation is waiting. [Read More]

Clearwater Beach Holiday Inn

See More Family Vacation Ideas

Search for Family Vacations by Location on the Planet:
Africa/Middle East	Delaware	Iowa	Nebraska	Scotland
Alabama	Dominican Republic	Ireland	Netherlands	Seattle
Alaska	England	Italy	Nevada	South Africa
Alberta	Europe	Jamaica	New Hampshire	South America
Arizona	Finland	Kansas	New Jersey	South Carolina
Arkansas	Florida	Kentucky	New Mexico	South Dakota
Asia	Florida - Central	Kissimmee Florida	New York	Space Coast Florida
Australia/New Zealand	Florida - Central Atlantic Coast	Lake Tahoe California	New York City	Spain
Austria	Florida - Central Gulf Coast	London	North America	Switzerland
Big Island - Hawaii	Florida - North Central	Los Angeles California	North Carolina	Tennessee
British Columbia	Florida - Northeast Atlantic Coast	Louisiana	North Dakota	Texas
California	Florida - Northwest Gulf Coast	Maine	Norway	Thailand
California - Northern	Florida - Southeast Atlantic Coast	Manitoba	Oahu/Kauai	United States
California - Southern	Florida - Southwest Gulf Coast	Maryland	Ohio	Utah
Canada	Florida - The Keys	Massachusetts	Oklahoma	Vermont
Catskills	France	Maui /Lanai /Molakai	Ontario	Virginia
Central America	Georgia	Mexico	Oregon	Virginia Beach
Central America	Germany	Michigan	Orlando Florida	Warren County
Chicago Illinois	Gold West Country	Minnesota	Pennsylvania	Washington
Colorado	Hawaiian Islands	Mississippi	Pigeon Forge	Washington DC
Connecticut	Idaho	Missouri	Quebec	West Virginia
Costa Rica	Illinois	Montana	Rhode Island	Wisconsin
Croatia	Indiana	Myrtle Beach South Carolina	San Francisco & Bay Area	Wyoming
D.C.	Indonesia

Search for Family Vacations by Location on the Planet: