One beautiful morning, as the sun began to light up the peaceful shores of a Minnesota lake, I woke up feeling excited and ready for the adventure of obtaining my open water certification. The quiet morning was perfect for thinking deeply, helped by the gentle voices from the My First Million podcast playing in the background as I drove out to the camp grounds at Square Lake, MN.
My journey to become a scuba diver in the cool waters of Minnesota was full of new discoveries and lessons learned from experienced diver, Steve Makredes. Here’s what I found out and what I wish I knew before starting this exciting journey.
Getting to Know Your Certification
Getting a scuba diving certification is a lot like getting your driver’s license, but it’s for exploring underwater. The main way to get this underwater “license” is through a PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) certification. PADI is known and trusted all over the world. There are other good organizations like SSI (Scuba Schools International) too. A PADI certification lets you rent diving gear and explore under the sea safely. You can find a PADI dive center almost anywhere, which is great because they all teach diving the same safe way. I found out after from a colleague at work that PADI is not the only place to get your certifications from so be sure to do your own research in figuring out what path you would like to venture on down.
The Adventure of Getting Certified
Getting your diving certification takes some time and effort. You’ll need at least two days of the lake diving part of the course and the two days of pool diving, which totals up to be bascially two different weekends. The PADI course starts with learning about diving from an online course that you’ll have to review before you start your first class. You’ll learn how diving works, what the gear does, and how to stay safe underwater.
After you pass a test, you get to start the real fun: diving in a pool. This helps you get used to the gear and learn important skills in a safe place. Then, the big moment comes with your first dive in a lake or the ocean. This is when you use everything you’ve learned to dive safely in the natural world.
Getting Ready for the Dive
Before plunging into the depths, we are taught to meticulously prepare and perform a series of essential checks to ensure safety and equipment functionality. This preparation begins with the “BWRAF” checklist, known among divers as the “Buddy Check,” which stands for Buoyancy control, Weights properly secured, Releases fully functional, Air supply ample and accessible, and Final OK before the dive. We always inspect our gear, confirming that the buoyancy compensator device inflates and deflates smoothly, weights are securely fastened (along with your buddies), and all straps and releases are correctly adjusted and snap easily. Then we begin to check our air supply, verifying both the tank is fully open and the regulator delivers air efficiently, and we review hand signals with our dive buddy. This thorough preparation culminates in a mutual understanding and a final look-over, ensuring both divers are ready and equipped to explore underwater safely.
The Joy and Challenge of Diving
Learning to dive in Minnesota offered more than just a physical challenge; it was an enriching experience that reshaped my perspective on adventure and self-discovery. Feeling scared initially is part of the process, but the joy found in acquiring a new skill is truly unparalleled. Throughout our training, both I and my fellow classmates encountered our fair share of errors—a natural part of the learning curve. One memorable instance involved me playfully experimenting with my regulator, attempting to flood my mask and clear it using the regulator’s bubbles, which resulted in a bit of underwater choking and coughing. Another intriguing exercise was navigating underwater with a compass. Despite its challenges, particularly due to the limited visibility in the water (around 12 feet), it forced us to rely solely on the compass for direction, as peeking ahead to locate our instructor wasn’t an option.
For those hesitant to commit fully to certification, the Discover Scuba Diving course offers a gentle introduction to the world of diving. It’s an inviting, straightforward way to experience diving without the commitment of full certification.
Finding the Best Dive Shop
Choosing the right dive shop is crucial for a safe and enjoyable diving experience. The PADI website is a great resource for finding reputable centers equipped with quality gear. I was fortunate to discover Aquaventure, a top-rated dive center just outside Minneapolis, run by Steve and his wife, Jolene. Their professionalism, friendliness, and commitment to diving immediately put me at ease. When I first walked into Aquaventure on a Saturday afternoon, I was unsure about what I needed to start my diving journey. Despite my preliminary research, a conversation with Steve quickly revealed how much I had yet to learn. After a comprehensive discussion and a significant investment, I had acquired all the necessary gear to begin diving. Although it’s not mandatory to own your gear for the course, being the sole person in my class with personal equipment seemed to garner a bit of admiration from the instructors. It felt as though I had gained an instant measure of respect, which was an unexpected bonus to my preparation.
Diving Into a New World
Deciding to get my diving certification in Minnesota was all about my love for the lakes in the Midwest and wanting to explore what’s underneath the surface. The whole experience, from learning to dive to finally exploring under the water, was about growing and discovering new things.
Choosing to learn here, among the great lakes of the midwest, made the adventure even more special. It was about connecting with the place I love in a whole new way.
Becoming a certified diver has changed how I think about traveling and exploring. Now, I look forward to discovering the underwater worlds of Minnesota and beyond. This journey from being a bit scared to getting my certification showed me how much there is to explore and how much fun it can be.
And that’s my story of becoming a diver. It was a journey full of learning, adventure, and discovering the beauty right beneath the surface.