Is certification required for Hookah Diving?
16th November 2006
The answer to that question is no, however some reputable companies that sell hookah equipment, require that you take training classes at the very least, and many times they are offered free of charge. Even if you have been diving before, consider taking classes if any of the following applies to you:
You’ve never been diving before - Duh!
You are certified, but it has been a while since you’ve been in the water.
You’ve just purchased new equipment - Hookah, or otherwise.
There has been an incident or “close call” in the past.
You would like to know the latest laws and restrictions.
It has been a year or more since your last dive.
You plan to dive in unfamiliar territory or depth.
You are unsure what to do in an emergency situation.
There are children in the family who want to dive (take classes together!)
Any time you are in the water as a human being, you are out of your natural element, therefore there are rules you should follow and cautions that must be adhered to, in order to make your diving experiences memorable (in a positive way!). Keep in mind that “safety is no accident” an old saying that is true in so many ways. The key to preventing accidents is through proper training. Breathing underwater, no matter how it is done, can be dangerous and even deadly if you are unaware of the rules, or think that you don’t need to know them. Certain mistakes cannot be undone!
There are many resources available to those interested in diving. Some training is available online, if getting to a classroom doesn’t fit in with your schedule. Water training however, will require your physical participation, and there are many training facilities that have very flexible schedules in order to make it as convenient as possible. A variety of classes are available, from beginning to advanced levels; traditional open water SCUBA certification courses, recreational diver courses, diver safety courses and even a recreational course designed just for Hookah Diving. For more information, here two popular links for you to check out:
The National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) - visit www.naui.org.
Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) - www.padi.com
Another organization that deserves your attention is Divers Alert Network, or DAN (www.diversalertnetwork.org). This is a non-profit medical and research organization established in 1980 that is totally dedicated to the health and safety of recreational divers. They provide expert information and advice to recreational divers, along with medical assistance for underwater diving injuries. This organization provides education in diving safety and first aid, which should be a top priority for every diver. You may save a life, maybe your own.
Posted in Diving and Safety, Intro to Hookah | Comments Off