Cost Of Scuba Diving

When I began scuba diving I did not realise the costs involved with the sport. As I have progressed in the sport I can see that the costs incurred are divided into two classifications, based on the level of experience of the diver, the begginer and the experienced diver.

The begginer:

this stage of the diver's journey is by far the most expensive. As a begginer, I had the cost of scuba lessons to gain my certification. a diver one needs certification from the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) before he or she will be allowed to have access to any diving facility, and can expect to pay between $300 and $500. Though equipment was provided in the lesson fees, once I began diving without instruction I had either buy or rent all my equiment. With such a big outlay for equipment,I found it much easier to build up my inventory as I could afford it, renting and borrowing what I didn't have. In fact,this is still an ongoing practice.

Experienced divers:

On the other hand, the more experienced diver comparatively have lower expenses since training will be simply optional. I find that as I obtain more equipment the greatest cost to me is it's maintainence. Other cost incurred include, travel to and from dive sites, and things like boat higher, and refiling tanks.

Below is a list of the costs a diver can expect to have when starting out in scuba.

• Medical fitness test. Around $40 from your doctor
• Certification from the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI)
• Scuba gear (eqipment)can cost around $200 (gogles, snorkel, diving suit and fins), or a full diving gear set costs around $600 (includes regulator with SPG, an octo and BCD).
• Renting equipment.A cheaper option then buying (a full gear set costing around $50).
• Extra costs, which include travel, buying/hiring of boat for boat dives, access to some national reserves, and accomodation when required.

By far the beggining of my association with diving has been the greatest cost, with the building up of my equipment the largest outlay. I have found sites such as Ebay to be a good source of stocking my inventory, at a lower price.

Now that you are armed with this information, you should not let the cost of the sport be a contributing factor in any decision to take up scuba diving. After all, as my diving instructor told me,
where else do you get to experience part of the world most people will never truly understand or appreciate, and get to swim with sharks in the deal