FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

Below you will find just a few of the many frequently asked questions. If there are any other questions that you might have or think of or problems we might be able to assist you with or questions we might add to this page to assist others with, please feel free to contact us so we can assist you.

Q: What is involved in getting a SCUBA lessons or a SCUBA certification?

A: With “ Dive With Mar”, Open Water Scuba lessons are done in 2 phases!

First phase is come to your class and pool training, where you can obtain the knowledge and experience the new skills that are needed in learning how to become a good scuba diver.
Now that you have achieved all the knowledge and skill set that is required, you would be then ready to now go through your Open Water Check! This is where everything that you have learned in class and experienced in the pool/ confined water sections, Can now be adapted to the real world (Open water)`diving environment. This is done over 2 days and the lay out is one skin dive and 2 scuba dives on day one. Then 2 scuba dives on day two.

Now with a successful completion of these 2 day. You will have achieved your
Open Water Scuba Diver Certification

Q: How long does it take to get certified?

A: Not long at all. The classes with Dive With Mar are modular. You can complete the classroom session in a few different ways. (Remember that Learning scuba is Objective Orientated not Time Objective!)

Weekend Course or via self-study at home using your textbook/ Video and then come to classroom sessions to take up and review. As well as complete the pool session. Then book your two open water sessions. (This is not for everyone!)

Traditional Scuba Course schedule, one night a week for 4 weeks. With Mar you will spend more time in pool each time (2-3 Hrs) and so not need to come for 5-10 week’s.
Private Scuba Course! You can’t fit in to one of the others; need some thing else, work shift work! Not to worry!!

Call and we can work some thing out. Mar deals with lots of private scheduling
all the time. All the same class/pool objectives need to be met.

Usually do 3 class sessions and 2 pool sessions? One on one. We cover everything just
the same. Would need to schedule the Open water the same, or Referral out!

Q: Where can we dive around London Ontario?

A: Surprisingly enough, there are a number of places to dive near London Ontario. All depends on the time of year. We would, on the off-season go off to Ohio and dive in Gilboa Quarry or Portage Quarry and even White Star Quarry, all with in 3 1/2 – 4 hours drive from London. These all provide beautiful visibility in the spring and fall (and in the winter if you have the training and can take the cold temperatures). In mid-summer, most of our diving is done it any of our Great Lakes, such as Huron, Ontario, Erie, Superior, Georgian Bay and a favourite for diving is Our St Lawrence River. Now great places would be like Brockville, Kingston, Tobermory as well as Sarnia. These diving spots provide plenty of fish including Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskie, Perch, Bass, Crappies, and, if you are lucky you may even spot a Sturgeon at the right time of year.. Or for your adventurous side, there is always Great Lake wreck diving! We have trips to many popular wrecks that we schedule regularly with the SWODA dive club. Follow the link to the SWODA dive schedules.

Q: SCUBA diving is a buddy sport. What if I cannot find a buddy to dive with?

A: Not a problem. Every Second Tuesday night, of the month year round, The dive club SWODA gets together, for a meeting and to go over what is going on in the diving world.
Divers of all abilities and certification levels meet hear at the club meeting. Great place to find a buddy. In the summer months we get together and go to Sarnia to dive, We call it “Hump Day diving”!
We head down to the river for a weekly Adventure Dives. Everyone is welcome and everyone always has someone to dive with. If not through SWODA, through Dive With Mar. we can keep you diving!!

Q: Do I have to buy all of my SCUBA gear?

A: Not at all. Most new divers start out by purchasing their own mask, boots, fins, and snorkel. You can gradually pick up more gear, used and new. as you get more involved in the sport (and you will!). The sooner you get you own gear, the easier it is to pick up and go diving, if some calls and said let’s go diving! In the mean time, retail gear will work and affordable rental rates as well as special rates for our weekly Adventure Dives can be had . Please Call or E-Mail me and I can guide you!

Q: Is SCUBA diving dangerous?

A: Yes, Any sport that you take up needs proper training and skill set. As well as gear knowledge! As you will see, this doesn’t happen over night, Once you start you will be learning for years. And is a Once you have achieved this responsible status. You are required to stay current and dive within the training level you have achieved. Keeping to this, it is a very safe sport. As long as you stay on you game. If you feel it is time to try some new kinds of diving, get training. !! If one looks at any dive accident analyses. You can usually see diver error.

Q: Does OHIP cover diving accidents?

A: No, they will cover your Doctor’s visit to you in the chamber, The guy who will decide how much Recompression treatment this dive accident will need! But that is it!

Q: So now what?
What is involved in a diving accident & what Medical treatment is required?

A: Once you become a diver, you can get DAN. Divers Alert Network. Diving insurance. One should not dive with out it and this can be activated by calling their info line 1-800-446-2671 or http://www.diversalertnetwork.org For the DAN mission statement and all they do for divers, please go to their website.

Q: Do I need scuba diving insurance while I am learning?

A: NO!! This is provided by Dive With Mar! For Free!!!!

Q: Can certified divers get Life insurance?

A: Yes & No. As a new diver you can still get insurance coverage or add to your plan, but realize that if they ask you if you if dive and how much? The rates may change! Now as a recreational diver don’t sweat it, but please be a ware that the more you do and the more advanced you become, the rates will change, FYI- Get all the life insurance you could want before you really get hooked on diving!! Be covered and keep it cheep!
Mar