2. How long does a certification course last?
Answer
The YMCA SCUBA Open Water course includes approximately 32 hours of training in classroom and pool or confined water. These classes occur during day or evening classes from a couple of weekends to several weeks, depending on scheduling.

3. Why are some SCUBA classes so much cheaper than others?
Answer
The difference is some instructors do not tell you about all the costs. Be careful, if the class price sounds very inexpensive it might not include everything. Dive shops have to pay rent, phone, electric and payroll. So they will typically charge more. The YMCA is a large organization, because of this we can keep the cost low.

Questions to ask about your SCUBA Class.

-Does that price include the Open Water Dives? Where are those dives? (We don't add in the trip so you can pick the trip you want to go on.)

-Does the price include the book? We include the book, a notebook, and your plastic dive table (some shops will add $65 to the price.)

-Does that price include the SCUBA gear or free rental for the four Open Water Dives? (Almost all trip are sold minus the gear. We include gear, including the wet suit.)

-How many students will be in your class? (We set the student instructor ratio at 3:1. Some dive shops wait until they have a big crowd of students for class.)

-Does that price include your Scuba Certification card? (we do. Some shop will charge and extra $25 after you complete the course.)

-How many contact hours is the course? (We are 32 contact hours. You really attend 32 hours of training. We don't tell you to read the book and watch videos and complete a workbook BEFORE you arrive for class.)

You might end up paying more than you expected.
Beginning SCUBA is taught in three parts Class, Pool training, and Diving. You must complete all three Parts to be a certified scuba diver. Some instructors break up the payments and advertise only the first payment. You end up paying 2 or 3 time what you expected. I suggest you ask how much for each part and what is included in the price. Add them ALL up, you might be surprised. Also make sure you know when and where you will make your Open Water Checkout Dives. A Florida trip can add to your cost while some shop force you to go to the rock quarry.
I recommend you meet and talk to each instructor face to face before you make a decision.

4. How much does a certification course cost?
Answer
Please contact the Green Hills Family YMCA or the Instructor for current costs. But right now, for the first course a non diver needs are listed below. Please keep in mind. This is only the cost of the class. 

Classroom and Pool Training for Open Water I:
                  Faculty Members: $180.00 
                  Program Members: $220.00 

To earn certification you need checkout dives. This cost varies depending on the location you pick and time of year. The cost ranges from $160.00 for a local trip to a rock quarry or lake. Not the greatest but hey, you get certified. The average that my students spend is between $450 and $800 for a weekend trip to Florida. Much nicer and a lot more to see and do.

5. What equipment will I need to begin a course?
Answer
You need only a mask, snorkel and fins and a text book to begin the course. Other necessary equipment and materials during the pool sessions are provided as part of the course cost.  varies. Please see equipment required during the check-out (open water) dives below.

6. How do I get started?
Answer
To begin a certification course, you first need to contact either the Green Hills Family YMCA front desk or the Instructor, David Cain. 

7. What about check-out (open water) dives?
Answer
Check-out dives in open water are required to complete the course and obtain the YMCA SCUBA Open Water Diver Certification. These dives are usually done in Panama City Beach, Fla. A wet suit, hood, gloves, tank, Buoyancy Compensator (B.C.) and regulator are required for the open water dives. These can be rented at almost any dive shop. If you sign up for one of our trips this rental is included in the cost of the trip.

8. When will my certification Expire?
Answer
For Open Water Diver the answer is never. It is a good idea to take a refresher course ever now and then to stay current.  For Junior Open Water Divers, your card can be upgraded upon reaching 15 years old.