FAQ

If you are a certified scuba diver, the first part of this FAQ section will be of main interest. With this section we want to help you to get most out of your dive vacation.
If you never scuba dived in your life but are interested to start, a dive vacation is a great way to get right into it! In this case, the second section is for you with answers to the most frequent FAQ's non-divers need to know.

FAQ's For Certified Divers

1. Should I bring my Certified Diver Card and Logbook?
   
   Yes, you must show at least your c-card as proof of your certification when you want to dive. It is a good idea to have your logbook with you as well so the divemaster can better assess your dive experience so far.
2. Should I bring my own dive gear, or use hire dive gear?
   
   This is your personal decision. Some divers would only dive with their own gear, some people don't mind using hire dive gear. The quality of hire dive gear in our dive resort are mostly good. However, nothing compares to your own gear you are familiar with! Tanks, weights and weight belts are always included in the dive prices quoted on the webpage.
3. What wetsuit should I wear?
   
   Depending on time of the year you might need a 5 mm wetsuit to a drysuit. The sea temperature during the summer season (june- september) is about 23°C.
4. Do I need to bring a dive medical?
   
   As a safety precaution we suggest you to consult with a physician before entering diving activity. More details in medical requirement.
5. Should I have special dive insurance?
   
   Yes! Diving Astrea do adhere to high standards for safety and equipment. However, a special diving accident insurance in addition to normal health insurance should be taken out. The best bet for insurance is a yearly membership with the Divers Alert Network (DAN) which you can take out with your regional DAN Headquarter. A membership with DAN is by far the best way to insure your diving. DAN does research in all areas of diving and is helping to broaden our knowledge about diving.
6. How about further education dive courses?
   
   There is a hierarchy of scuba courses designed to continuously build your knowledge, competence and confidence as a diver. After the Open Water Course you can take an Advanced Course, Speciality courses or a Rescue course. If you want to become a dive professional, you continue with the Divemaster Course, then the Assistant Instructor Course. See our Training section if you would like know more details.
7. Can I do a certification with one association and do the next higher education course with another one?
   
   Yes this is possible. All dive training agencies have adjusted their training programmes so you can crossover at certain stages. However, there are a number of requirements, depending at what level you want to do a course with another association. There is no general answer to this, please give us details and we will help you.
8. Will the dives be guided?
   
   All dives are guided. Our normal procedure is to give a very thorough briefing so that divers feel confident to dive without a guide. However, we offer a divemaster service for all dives without any extra. In fact, you will not be allowed to dive in buddy teams without a guide.
9. What means “short distance” dive?
   
   With “short distance” we intend the dives within 8 miles far away from La Caletta. For a short distance trip we usually leave at 9:00 and go back at 13:00.
10. What means “long distance” dive?
    
    With “long distance” we intend the dives at the Marine Protected Area of Tavolara-Capo Coda Cavallo (18 miles at North) and the wreck dives at KT12 (18 miles at South). For a long distance trip we leave at 8:00 and go back at 15:00. The long distance dives need the advanced level and an extra charge of 20€ for each diver.
11. What are the recommendations on diving and flying?
    
    The various certification agencies recommend different off-gassing periods before flying after diving. Also, your dive computer will give you some advice. Mostly it is recommended to wait at least 24 hours after your last dive before you fly. After multiple dive days, it is not a bad idea to wait even longer. By the way there is no need for a waiting period for diving after flying. Of course, if you have a jet lag, for example, you should take it easy with diving!

FAQ's For Non-Divers

Many people dream to go scuba diving when they are visiting Sardinia. Although the majority of our clients will be already certified divers, we still receive many requests from non-divers who want to learn when they are here. This section is for you:

1. Is there a minimum/maximum age to do an open water dive course?
   
   Minimum age is 10 years. There is no maximum age. The oldest dive student we know was 70 when he learned to dive. If you are keen to learn scuba diving, give it a go!
2. I always experience pain in my ears when I breath-hold dive in a swimming pool. Can I scuba dive at all?
   
   Unfortunately most people don't know that there are easy ways to avoid that familiar ear pain by clearing the pressure in the ears. During your dive course you will learn simple techniques of how to equalize the pressure in your ears. This is a very handy and important skill to learn, also for swimmers and snorkellers!
3. I never dived in my life, how could I get started?
   
   There are two options. If you like to try first before committing to a full dive course, you can do an “Discover Scuba Diving”. This does not certify you as a diver but you can “try before you buy”. To become a certified diver, you start with a beginner's course, which is usually called “Open Water” dive course. After successful completion of the course you will be a certified diver.
4. What exactly is a “Discover Scuba Diving”?
   
   You have never dived before but you can safely do a dive without doing a full dive course. This is called “Discover Scuba Diving”. It is a common practice worldwide to give people the chance to dive safely under supervision without doing a full course. Important to know: This course is not a qualification course for scuba diving. For details, please read in our dive training section.
5. Am I suited to learn to dive?
   
   The requirement for the PADI (and most other) “Open Water Diver certification” for example is to swim of 183 meters (200 yards), and treading water for 10 minutes. So you do not need to be a high performance swimmer! If you are comfortable in the water and a reasonably good swimmer, you will most likely enjoy learning diving. If you have a general good health and an average fitness, chances are very good that you will become a good diver.
6. I wear contact lenses, can I use them while diving?
   
   Soft contact lenses are usually not a problem. Make sure to bring a few extra pairs! Masks with prescription lenses are an option too. You can’t hire them in our dive school, you need to buy your own in advance.
7. What means “confined water”?
   
   Confined water is defined as a: 1) swimming pool or 2) confined open water which is an open water site that offers swimming-pool-like conditions with respect to clarity, calmness, and depth.
8. What means “open water”?
   
   Open water is any body of water considerably larger than a swimming pool that exposes student divers to an environment similar to that experienced by recreational divers.
9. How long does it take to get certified as an Open Water Diver?
   
   Minimum duration on intensive courses is usually 5 full days. You will spend the first 3 days with theory and practical exercises in the pool. On day 4 you take 2 training dives in the sea. On day 5 you take another 2 training dives in the sea and the final exam.
10. What is the difference between Open Water Diver and PADI Scuba Diver?
    
    The PADI Scuba Diver course is a subcourse within the Open Water Diver course. It opens diving to those individuals with time constraints, and those interested in diving in groups and tours guided by a certified divemaster, assistant instructor or instructor. PADI Scuba Divers are trained to dive only under the direct inwater supervision of a certified PADI Divemaster, Assistant Instructor or Instructor. Certification as a Scuba Diver requires successful completion of only the first three sections of Knowledge Development (including quizzes), the first three Confined Water Dives and Open Water Dives 1 and 2. If you like you can complete the Open Water Diver course (in Sardinia or where and when you prefer) with the remaining dives and accademic sessions, or spending the rest of your holiday doing scuba diving at the maximum depth of 12 metres under the direct inwater supervision of a certified guide.
11. What if I cannot finish my dive course?
    
    Your dive instructor will fill in a standard referral form and you can finish your course within 12 months later at any destination where courses are offered.
12. What are the medical requirements for scuba diving?
    
    Overall you should be reasonably fit; you should not be extremely overweight or out of condition. It is always a good idea to seek the advice of a doctor who is familiar with medical issues related to scuba diving. In Italy, the law requires a qualified Italian physician to do a medical examination before you do an Open Water Dive course. More details on dive medicals
13. I am handicapped, can I dive?
    
    Yes most physically handicapped people can dive as long as they do not have a medical contradiction. There are 2 dive associations who offer special dive courses which are adopted to answer special needs. The IAHD (International Association for Handicapped Divers) and the HSA (Handicapped Scuba Association) have instructors all around the world. Additional informations at Scuba for disabled persons.