Frequently Asked Questions
Instruction
- What system do you teach?
- Although I have trained with both PADI and BSAC, I teach the PADI system.
- How long have you been diving?
- 10 years
- How long have you been teaching?
- 7 years
- How do I learn?
- You begin with self-study of the basic theory at your own pace. At each stage there is a short written test and instructor feedback. At the end there is a 50 question exam. Then we move onto pool training, and then to open water (the sea).
- How long will it take me to learn?
- That depends on your available time, aptitude and how quickly you acquire the necessary skills. You can do your Open Water certification in 2 weeks (ie. study time plus two or three dive days).
Equipment
- Will I need my own eqipment to learn?
- You will need a basic skin diving kit at the beginning, ie. mask, snorkel and fins (booties as well, if your fins are the open heel type).
- Can I get this in Doha?
- Yes, there are a couple of retailers here.
- I already have a mask, can I use that?
- Yes, as long as it's a proper scuba mask which allows you to squeeze your nose to equalise your ears and sinuses, and allows you to equalise your mask by breathing out through your nose.
- What about when I start diving in the sea?
- You'll need an exposure suit for warmth and protection from stings and abrasions, gloves are a good idea, and a hood is advisable in the winter months.
- Should I aim to have all my own equipment?
- Since scuba gear is life support equipment, it is highly recommended that if you are going to dive regularly, or in different locations, you aim to acquire a full set. This is so that you can become totally familiar with the functioning of your own equipment for the sake of safety, and so that you can tailor your gear to your own likes, requirements, comfort and fit.
- The range of equipment is bewildering, can you advise me?
- Yes, of course, and any equipment you can't find locally you can order online from several reputable dealers.
Diving
- Is diving dangerous?
- Like many other physical activities that take us beyond our usual environment, such as skiing, climbing, parachuting etc, there is always an element of risk. With proper training these risks are managed and minimised, and you will be taught procedures to follow in case of difficulty. If you follow your training, dive in pairs and stay within your limits, you are very unlikely to get into any difficulty you can't handle.
- What about dangerous fish etc?
- The vast majority of attacks by marine animals against humans occur when an animal feels its safety threatened, and is a self defence mechanism. This can be avoided by being careful in the sea, not touching the wildlife, not sticking your hand into holes, and not harrassing or chasing marine life. Other attacks can occur when a large animal's feeding mechanism is triggered - the vast majority of attacks by sharks, for example, occur against divers who are spearfishing and carrying bleeding fish in the water. Attacks like this can be avoided by sensible behaviour, and by displaying respect for the subaquatic environment. Not that you're likely to meet a shark in Qatar!
