Start Diving
We’re happy to hear you’re interested in becoming one of the thousands of people who learn to scuba dive each year.
Three Steps to Certification
- Online or classroom training
- Pool Training Sessions
- Open Water Training Dives
You can complete the classroom part of your training with our digital online program and go over highlights at our Reading, Pa. Dive Center classrooms.
You practice scuba skills in a heated pool, and attend two days of open water training diving. You may even choose to complete your open water training dives during one of our scuba diving vacations.
Upon successful completion, you are awarded an Scuba Schools International (SSI) Open Water certification card and you are a scuba diver for life!
As a certified scuba diver, you are ready to go on exciting scuba diving vacations, and take advantage of additional training opportunities.
What's Required
- Proper Knowledge
- Proper Skills
- Proper Equipment
The minimum age requirement is 10 years of age. Children under the age of 12 should be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. For our younger divers between the ages of 8 to 12 we offer our Scuba Rangers program. There is no maximum age, but good general health is required.
The maximum Open Water class size is 10 students, plus your instructor and teaching assistants. The ability to feel comfortable in the water is stressed more than endurance. A swimming evaluation consists of four laps of the pool.
With our exclusive “Comfort Through Repetition” teaching method it is easy to build your knowledge and learn the safety rules that must be followed to dive safely. Our professional teaching system includes a manual, electronic training materials, dive tables, and a student registration folder.
Classroom or on-line training
You attend up to three classroom sessions and up to three double pool training sessions, where you learn and demonstrate scuba skills to your instructor. You may also choose to complete the classroom portion of your training in the comfort of your home.
Pool Training Sessions
For your pool training sessions, you will need to have a scuba mask, adjustable fins, dive boots, snorkel, and logbook. An optional equipment bag will help keep all of your gear well organized. During pool training sessions, some students prefer to wear either a full-length or “shorty” three-millimeter thick wetsuit for added warmth.
Some of the scuba diving skills you will learn include:
- Moving in the water with ease
- Breathing normally underwater
- Controlling your buoyancy so you neither descend nor ascend
- The easiest ways to enter and exit the water
- Getting water out of your mask and mask clearing
Open Water Training Dives
After your classroom and pool training sessions, you must pass a written test. You then attend two days of open water training dives at a local scuba diving park. During open-water training you demonstrate what you have learned in the classroom and pool. You may also choose to complete your open-water training dives during one of our exciting diving vacations.
During your open water training dives you will need a scuba equipment package that includes, a seven millimeter wetsuit with hood and gloves, two scuba tanks, a regulator set, depth and pressure gauges, a buoyancy compensator, and a weight belt. Scuba Venture students attending their open water training dives can rent a basic equipment package from us at a special discounted price. If you would like to use your own scuba equipment, please contact us so we can make sure it is suitable.
A Certified Scuba Diver for Life
Upon successful completion of your classroom and pool training sessions, and your open water training dives, an SSI Open Water Diver certification card will be awarded, and you will be a certified scuba diver for life!
Both private, semi-private, and home study training programs are available. For more information, please contact us.
How much does it cost? 
Open Water certification course
$325.00 – up to 4 classroom sessions, up to three double pool training sessions, and two days of open water training dives. Includes digital training materials, dive tables, and a student registration folder. You can choose to complete the classroom portion of your training online in the convenience of your home.
Mask, Fins, and Snorkel—Click here for our snorkeling packages
Packages start at $225.00 – 10% discounted price for ScubaVenture students. Snorkeling equipment is also available as individual items. If you own your own snorkeling package we recommend you bring it to our dive center so we can make sure it will be suitable.
Scuba equipment rental package for open water training dives
$100.00 – Discounted price for ScubaVenture open water students. You may use your own scuba equipment, providing you bring it to our dive center so we can make sure it will be suitable.
Scuba park entrance fees for open water training dives
Depending on whether you choose to complete your open water training dives at a local scuba diving park or on a diving vacation, there are either park entrance fees or the cost of your diving vacation.
Both private and semi-private scuba courses, and financing on both training courses and scuba equipment are available.
How do I get started?
Call us at 610-678-2688, email us. or visit our Reading Pa. Dive Center.
At ScubaVenture you can tour our dive center and classrooms, check out our top quality scuba diving equipment, and learn about our training courses and exciting diving vacations. Or just call us and we’ll answer any question you may have.
877-685-0944
mark@scubaventure.net
