What to Expect from Your First Scuba Class

Curious about what your first scuba class will be like? This guide walks you through each step, from theory to confined water training, so you’ll know exactly what to expect on your path to certification.

IF YOU ARE NEW TO DIVING...START YOUR JOURNEY HERE

7/23/20252 min read

people in water during daytime
people in water during daytime

What to Expect from Your First Scuba Class

Starting your scuba diving journey is an exciting step into an entirely new world — one filled with coral reefs, vibrant marine life, and underwater adventure. But before you dive in, you’ll need to complete a scuba certification course. If you're wondering what to expect from your first scuba class, this guide breaks it down to ease your nerves and prepare you for success.

1. Classroom or Online Learning

Your first step will likely involve some academic learning, either in a classroom or through an online platform. You’ll cover topics such as:

  • How pressure affects the body

  • Basic diving physics and physiology

  • Equipment function and safety

  • Dive planning and emergency procedures

This part ensures you understand the science behind scuba diving and the safety rules that protect you underwater.

2. Getting Familiar with Gear

You’ll be introduced to the essential scuba gear, including:

  • Mask, snorkel, fins

  • Buoyancy Control Device (BCD)

  • Regulator and alternate air source

  • Dive computer or depth gauge

  • Tank and weights

Instructors will show you how to assemble, check, and handle this equipment confidently — a crucial skill for all divers.

3. Confined Water Sessions

After the theory portion, you’ll move into a pool or confined water environment. Here’s where you'll practice basic diving skills, such as:

  • Clearing water from your mask

  • Regulator recovery

  • Buoyancy control

  • Equalizing pressure

  • Emergency ascent procedures

These sessions are designed to build your confidence and comfort in the water under direct supervision.

4. Safety Emphasis and Buddy System

Expect your instructor to continually emphasize scuba safety rules, like never holding your breath, ascending slowly, and diving with a buddy. You’ll learn to communicate using underwater hand signals and rely on your dive partner throughout your training.

5. Preparing for Open Water Dives

Most certification programs (like PADI or NAUI) require a set number of open water dives after completing your class and confined water training. These dives are typically done in a local lake, quarry, or ocean and are where you’ll apply your skills in a real-world setting.

Once completed, you’ll receive your certification card, allowing you to rent gear and join dive trips anywhere in the world.

Conclusion

Your first scuba class is an exciting mix of theory, practice, and hands-on experience that lays the groundwork for safe and enjoyable diving. It’s normal to feel nervous — but with guidance from certified instructors and a well-structured curriculum, you’ll be blowing bubbles confidently in no time.

Works Cited

PADI. (2023). Learn to dive: Open Water Diver course. https://www.padi.com/courses/open-water-diver

NAUI Worldwide. (2023). Entry-level scuba diver training. https://www.naui.org/certifications/scuba-diver/

Scuba Diving Magazine. (2024). What to expect in your first scuba class. https://www.scubadiving.com

"Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you."