How soon can I get started?
After an orientation at our dive shop, we can schedule you for a class, either group or private, and you're on your way!

What sort of people become SCUBA divers?
Practically anyone! Our student base consists of those in their pre-teens to Senior Citizens 70 years of age and older. Not a particularly strenuous sport, SCUBA diving is for all ages, all people. Our groups are full of fun people from all walks of life, with adult and children's programs separated to keep like interests together. We're a fun bunch, doing fun stuff, and we come from all walks of life, a diversity which makes for a great time.

What equipment do I need in order to get started?
Nothing, during the course we'll supply everything. When you're ready to buy your own gear, we'll custom fit you with whatever you need at our shop Scuba Station. As a student at NISD, you'll receive nice gift on all your gear purchases!

What about my health concerns?
Many people who feel they can't SCUBA dive due to health and physical conditions actually can. They just have to receive written approval to dive from a physician. We do have a physician we can recommend, since our business is diving. The Divers Alert Network (DAN), also advise you on certain health conditions (check DAN web site).

How much does it cost to learn to dive?
Like any other sport, SCUBA diving costs money. When compared to other sports, say snow skiing for instance, it's actually quite comparable. The equipment used in diving, when maintained properly through personal care and or Professional Technicians, will last for years to come and doesn't need frequent replacement. The amount you spend will be well worth the enjoyment you get from diving, and dive gear packages are available in several price ranges. Stop by our dive shop for a quote.

Is diving expensive to get into?
Not when compared to other outdoors sports. Our sport is referred to as being a sport with a "front-end load" meaning that after carefully selecting and purchasing your personal equipment, diving costs are minimal. Bear in mind that diving's foundation is equipment and it's referred to as an equipment-intensive sport.

Where is NISD located and when are you open?
The dive center is located at the Riviera Yacht Club in Beirut.
The dive shop is located towards the end of Hamra Street open from 11 A.M till 8 P.M 6 days a week.

Is it difficult to learn to dive?
Not for most people. If you're comfortable in the water, you should be able to learn scuba diving from a qualified IANTD, NAUI or PADI instructor.
You'll find that diving is actually easier than swimming, because there's no need to raise your head out of the water to get each breath.

What does it mean to be certified?
It means that you've learned basic scuba diving skills from a licensed instructor, and are qualified to dive in open water with a buddy, with or without a dive master present. Dive operators will require your certification card and your diving log book before they take you for a dive.

Why do I have to get certified to dive?
In the scuba class, you will learn how to dive safely and correctly. Your IANTD, PADI or NAUI SCUBA certification card is proof that you have taken and passed the SCUBA course. No reputable Dive Center will rent you gear, fill your tank, or let you dive at their facilities unless you are a certified SCUBA diver.

How long does it take to get certified?
If you're getting full-day instruction from a dive shop, at a dive location, then it depends on their schedule, class size, and how fast you learn. The standard "Open Water Diver" certification will typically be a four- or five-day process. . Generally, it takes less than 12 hours of "one-on-one" time with the SCUBA instructor to complete all academics and confined water skills.
If you're just taking evening lessons at home, once or twice a week, it will probably take four to six weeks for this.
Also private lessons can be given at your convenience.

How long does it take?
This really depends a lot on you and your schedule. The most popular classes can take you from a new student to a certified diver in less than two weeks. If you are comfortable in the water and want to schedule an intensive private course, it can all be completed in four or five days. This is unusual and takes a lot of work, but it can be done. The real gauge of how long a course will take is you. Before the course can be considered complete, you have to be able to dive safely and comfortably.

I get pain in my ears when I go below 3 meters. Can I dive?
Part of learning to dive is learning to clear your ears -- that is, equalizing the pressure inside and outside your eardrum. It takes most people a few days to get the hang of this, but soon you'll do it automatically.

My ears hurt when I dive to the bottom of a pool. Won't they hurt when I scuba dive?
Your ears hurt because water pressure pushes in on your eardrum. In your scuba course, you'll learn a simple technique to equalize your ears to the surrounding pressure, much like you do when you land in an airplane, and they won't hurt at all.

How long will I be able to stay underwater?
That depends on how deep you are, and how heavily you're breathing. Air gets compressed at greater depths, so with each breath, you'll go through more of it.
You can often stay down 45 minutes to an hour at depths of 6 to 9 meters. On deeper dives, you may only get 15 or 20 minutes. As you get more experienced, you'll learn to prolong your air supply by breathing more slowly, and by conserving your energy.

What about attacks from barracuda, sharks, eels, and giant squid?
Bee stings kill more people than do sharks -- but shark attacks make for better movies. In reality, there are no aquatic animals that routinely attack humans, unless you provoke them by poking them, sticking your hand into their home, or getting too close to one with territorial instincts.
As part of your certification lessons, you'll learn some common-sense precautions. Most of these, however, are more for the protection of sea creatures than of you. You pose a much larger threat to them than they do to you. (Compare, for example, the number of humans who will eat squid sushi today, versus the number of squid who will munch on human sushi.)

Can I wear contact lenses or glasses while diving?
Soft contact lenses should not be a problem. Bring an extra pair or two, in case one washes out.
Eyeglasses worn under a dive mask are neither fashionable nor practical. However, it's more economical than you might think to have your prescription ground into the mask itself. Your optician or dive shop can advise you on where to have it done.

What does S.C.U.B.A. stand for?
Though there are several interesting and funny answers for the acronym S.C.U.B.A., the actual and true one is: Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. Other such nonsensical explanations are:
+ Super Colossal Underwater Barracuda Attack
+ Strong Currents Usually Behave Abnormally
+ Seriously Critical Underwater Bends Attack
+ Sharks Cause Unnecessary Body Ailments
+ Separation Can Undoubtedly Be Avoided
+ Sharks Can Unpredictably Be Aggressive
+ Spines Camouflage Urchins Body Armor
+ Sushi Can Unquestionably Be Awesome
+ Surge Can Undeniably Be Annoying
+ Some Come Up Barely Alive

How often do SCUBA classes begin?
We try to have a new class each couple of weeks.

Is the course mentally or physically difficult?
No, the class is fun but it does require that you participate in the class both physically and mentally. The rigid time requirements for specific SCUBA skills of yesteryear have been removed in favor of giving divers time to become more comfortable and confident. Because people are not created equally, we need to allow our bodies acclimation and consideration.

How much does it cost to learn to Scuba Dive?
A complete group course should cost between $200 and $350.00. This should include books, dive tables, log book, certification and scuba equipment rental for the course (Fins, Mask, Snorkel, Weight Belt, Weights, and Wet Suit Boots). You should NOT be required to purchase a full set of Scuba Equipment before learning to dive!

Where are your SCUBA courses taught?
At the Riviera Yacht Club and Scuba Station.
Are we allowed to use the pool other than during class?
Yes! While you are registered in the SCUBA course, you have the privilege of swimming at no charge.
Also ask for your membership discount at the Riviera Yacht Club if you are a diving member at NISD or about to learn how to dive in our center.

How many students are in each class?
The answer lies in the time of year you elect to take SCUBA diving. During summer, you can expect classes to be considerably larger than at other times. Though numbers of students increase with outside temperature, you can be sure student to instructor ratio never exceeds 8:1. Regardless of the class size, you will not lose the individual attention given to you by a competent and safe SCUBA instructor.

What is the minimum age for SCUBA certification?
The youngest any child should become a certified SCUBA diver is 10 years. The certification issued for those 10-15 years of age is as a Junior SCUBA Diver. The Junior Diver certification card will indicate that the young diver be accompanied by an adult at all times.

How much does it cost to purchase the items for diving ?
The price can range anywhere between $200 and $500 depending on whether you choose basic yet functional items or those with more features and benefits.
For instance, open heel fins can cost from $55 up to more than $130. The choice is yours! Because SCUBA diving is an equipment-intensive sport, select your purchases based on fit and function rather than price and appearance. Remember, buying cheap is expensive because you will soon replace it with the quality you should have purchased in the first place.
Because there are so many choices, levels of quality or technology and name brands, the sky is the limit. But to give you the answer in numbers, I would have to say between $1000 and $4000. Buying dive equipment is a lot like buying a desktop personal computer with all the available options and features.

Can I SCUBA dive if I have back trouble?
Yes, provided your doctor is not against it. In fact gravity's profound effect can be greatly relieved by being in the water. And, you will find that divers are a terrific bunch of people. They will help and assist one another with just about anything needed. But as a precaution, be sure to check with your doctor before signing up for SCUBA class.

How can a certified diver get refreshed with SCUBA skills?
Any certified diver from any nationally recognized certification agency can schedule a private refresher course with one of our staff.

Who should not SCUBA dive ?
When you sign up for a SCUBA class, you will fill out a medical questionnaire that you should answer honestly and to the best of your ability. Should there be a questionable response, the instructor will be able to guide you toward obtaining the correct information pertaining to your specific health and SCUBA diving.
Absolute non-candidates for SCUBA are those who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant; individuals with heart or lung disorders, insulin-dependent diabetes, or seizure disorders. People whose asthma attacks are triggered by cold, stress, or physical exercise also should not SCUBA dive. If you have a question about whether or not SCUBA is recommended for you, check DAN site.

After I finish my open water SCUBA certification, what can I do?
The best thing you can do for yourself is to seek further SCUBA education. Too many people believe that "open water" is the only formal SCUBA education needed. This could not be further from the truth. Open water SCUBA is merely your ticket to learn. It is unfortunate that no "re-certification" requirement exists because many people who get certified either never dive again or wait many months, if not years before diving again.
The order in which you further your SCUBA training is not as important as the mere fact that you do it.
But the most likely sequence of classes is:
1. Advanced SCUBA Diver
2. Rescue SCUBA Diver
3. Master SCUBA Diver
4. Dive Master
5. Assistant SCUBA Instructor
6. And ultimately SCUBA Instructor
Each step of SCUBA advancement requires a certain amount of experience in quantities of dives. Please refer to the course description section of our website.

What is the best brand of Scuba equipment?
If you ask me as a dive storeowner, it is one of the great brands I carry. But, if you ask me as an instructor, ethics require a more even handed answer. Most scuba equipment that is for sale in dive stores today is of excellent quality and will perform very well. The real concern should be service. Fortunately, if you purchase a product from a dive store that represents one or more of the major manufacturers (Mares, Aqualung, Scubapro, Technisub, Dive Rite, OMS, Saekodive, Apeks, Henderson, etc.) service should not be a problem. All full service dive stores have service available for all their lives.

For how long will I be certified?
Your IANTD PADI & NAUI SCUBA certification does not expire. It is highly recommended that you keep in practice. You should dive more than once a year. NISD offers continuing education classes, which are very informative. Continuing with your SCUBA education is an excellent way to keep in practice and learn more safe diving skills.

How deep can I go?
The maximum depth for a recreational Open Water SCUBA diver is 18 meters. It is not recommend you ever dive the maximum depth. You should not dive deeper than 18 meters without proper training. In the Advanced Open Water course, divers are shown the correct and safe way to make a deep dive.

Will the fish bother me?
Most fish will ignore you. It is very exciting to see fish. The larger the better. The prettiest and most abundant fish are in the ocean. The best place to see fish is near shipwrecks and reefs. Some fish will let you get close to them but will stay out of your reach. Some fish are curious and will follow you around. The sharks and eels are very shy and are difficult to see. Barracudas are curious and might follow you around making it easy to photograph them.

What's in a scuba tank? Oxygen?
Recreational divers breathe air, not oxygen. It's filtered to remove impurities, but otherwise, it's air like you're breathing now.

Is scuba diving dangerous?
Not at all. Statistics show that recreational scuba diving is about as safe as swimming. Certainly there are potential hazards -- which is why you need training and certification -- but like driving a car, as long as you follow the rules and use common sense, it's pretty safe.