SCUBA Diving: Some History and Background (Part I of II)
it probably has a PADI affiliation and will welcome your PADI-issued C card when you come in to rent gear or get air.
Going Deeper
The organizations that certify also offer continuing education. Divers are invited to learn more about subjects from underwater photography to search and rescue, from night diving to wreck diving to cave diving. Courses tend to be divided into two categories: "specialty" (specialized recreational activities) and "technical" (in-depth equipment, rescue, or instructor training). You can keep taking classes where you first learned to dive, and you can often start with certification from one organization and continue your classes with another organization with minimal trouble.
The Divers Alert Network (DAN)
DAN offers insurance against diving injury and evacuation costs. This nonprofit organization also provides extensive medical information -- in print, on the Web, and by telephone -- and training and education in rescue and first-aid techniques. DAN is an excellent resource for information whether you're just considering taking your first dive class (and have questions about health risks) or you're a physician looking for continuing medical education credit in dive medicine.
Next: In Part II, we'll look at the wide world of diving equipment and what you need to bring to your SCUBA class.
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