Frequently Asked Questions

Answer: While scuba diving, wearing soft contact lenses shouldn’t be a problem. But if you wear hard contacts, then you will be required to dive with gas-permeable lenses. Talk to your eye doctor for more details. Putting prescription lenses into your mask is another option.    

Answer: Always keep in mind the following things before scuba diving in the Andaman Islands:

• Never drink before diving- A diver can be put in a compromised position if he/she is intoxicated. You may face the inability to use common sense and make rational judgments. Never compromise your safety.  
• Don’t eat a heavy meal before diving- Wait at least 2 hours after eating before you make your dive. It is risky to dive on a full belly. It may create the possibility of acquiring cramps. You may also face upchucking in your mouthpiece which would make it difficult for you to breathe. 
• Never hide any serious or chronic medical conditions from your instructor.

Answer: There is less nitrogen than regular air in enriched air, also known as nitrox or EANx. Breathing less nitrogen means you can enjoy longer dives and shorter surface intervals. Enriched Air Diver is one of the most popular PADI specialities. Taking this course will teach you why nitrox allows you to make longer dives along with how you can dive nitrox safely with the help of online independent study. You will also meet your PADI instructor for hands-on practical exercises and two (optional) dives.

Enrol in Enriched Air (Nitrox) Diver if you want to do the following:

• Get nitrox air fills
• Stay at depth longer
• Enjoy shorter surface intervals

You will learn how to do the following:

• Dive with nitrox
• Set your dive computer
• Use an oxygen air analyzer

Answer: A minimum level of health and fitness is required for scuba diving. In case you are suffering from any chronic health condition, or taking certain medications and/or had surgery recently, you will have to get written approval from a physician before diving. In order to avoid any confusion, you can simply download and review the Diver Medical Form to make sure that you will not require approval from a physician to dive. You should not ask your instructor, dive master, or dive shop staff for medical advice as they are not physicians. 

Answer: The PADI Night Diver course comprises knowledge development as well as in-water training for certification. Only the knowledge development part is covered in the cost when you purchase PADI eLearning online. There is an additional cost involved in the certification with the PADI instructor. The cost varies on the basis of the class size, environment, and whether or not you need to rent equipment. You can contact Dive Andaman, a 5-star PADI center in Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep), for more information and pricing. Along with the scuba gear, you will also need the following:

• A primary and backup dive light (torch)
• Additional exposure protection like a thicker wetsuit, hood or gloves, for staying comfortable while night diving

Answer: If you are aged 10 and older and have a reasonable level of physical fitness, are comfortable in the water, and are an adrenaline junkie, then you can go scuba diving in the Andaman Islands.

Answer: One can learn scuba diving at any age as there is no as such upper age limit for that. However, there are certain conditions that may preclude those of any age, temporarily or permanently. That includes conditions associated with lung functions. It’s never too late to learn scuba diving as long as you have relatively good physical and mental conditioning. There are many divers who continue into their 60s and 70s.

Answer: If you are already comfortable in the water, then scuba diving is probably easier than you think. PADI’s entry-level courses consist of pool diving, knowledge development and open-water dives. These are performance-based which means that you progress as you learn and demonstrate skills and knowledge. 

Answer: Scuba diving courses are based on performance. It means that you have to demonstrate that you have mastered the required skills and knowledge in order to earn your certification. The duration of the course varies as everyone has different learning abilities. One can complete the PADI Open Water Diver course even in 3 days.  

Answer: In order to get a Junior Open Water Diver Certification, you should be at least 10 years old. 10 and 11-year-old Junior Open Water Divers have to dive with a certified parent, guardian, or PADI professional to a maximum depth of 40 feet. 12 to 14-year-olds can dive with a certified adult only. The junior certification upgrades to a regular Open Water Diver certification at the age of 15 years.