About dive courses with Gekko Scuba Divers

• Do I have to know how to swim in order to learn to dive?

Yes, but you do not have to be a champion swimmer! You will be required to demonstrate that you can float/tread water for 10 minutes and can swim 200 meters or snorkel 300 meters. The swim test is not timed.

• Do I have to have my own equipment to start a course?

For most courses we will furnish everything you need. If you already have a dive mask and snorkel that fit you well, bring them along since masks fit every face differently.

• Can I finish a course on Phuket that I started somewhere else?

Yes, you can. This is called a referral. You will need to get documentation from your previous instructor and bring it along. A referral is good for one year after the last training session you had.

• How old do I have to be to start learning?

Children can begin Junior Open Water training at the age of 10.

• Do I need a medical clearance to start my diving course?

You need to complete a medical questionnaire before beginning dive training, and if your answers indicate any potential problem, we can get a dive-medicine-trained doctor to take a look at you. Your safety is our most important concern, so please be forthcoming when you answer the questionnaire. You can find the medical questionnaire here.

• How risky is diving?

Open water diving is a low risk activity if you have appropriate training and are careful and consistent in following proper safety procedures. Diving itself is not difficult. The training you receive in your courses is meant in large part to help you gain the information and skills you need to dive safely.

• Are there dangerous animals, like sharks, in the water near Phuket?

When we’re lucky we see beautifully patterned leopard sharks resting in the sand. These are very passive creatures and are not a risk to divers. Dangerous marine life is easily avoided by not touching the animals (so that they do not need to defend themselves).

• Do I need special insurance?

Your standard health and accident insurance may not cover activities such as scuba, so it is an excellent idea to have special insurance for scuba diving. We can provide you with daily coverage at the very modest price of about US $2.50/day, or you can purchase longer-term coverage if you prefer, at even better rates.

• Where will the classes be held?

Pool sessions are held at Gekko’s private swimming pool, and open water diving sessions are generally done from day trip boats. Class sessions are held either in our poolside classroom or on the boat.

• Will my certification be recognized at other places I go diving?

Yes, definitely. You will be certified through PADI, the world’s largest certifying agency. You can use your card anywhere in the world. Make sure to present your log book along with your certification card so that the operator can assess your readiness for any particular dive.

• Can I take a class with you if I’m already certified but not by PADI?

Of course! Certifying agencies routinely recognize one another’s certifications. If you are certified through another agency, just show us your credentials, and we’ll go from there.

• How long do I have to wait between taking one course and the next one?

In actual fact, PADI does not require any waiting period between one course and another for non-professional levels. That means that you can begin your Advanced Open Water training as soon as you finish your Open Water course. You should recognize, however, that a certification card does not substitute for experience, so make sure to do lots of fun dives to solidify the skills you learn and to put them to work.

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