Scuba stands for Self-contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus.

If you get a job as a Certified Scuba Diver, you may find work in retail dive shops, on cruise ships, in diving training schools, and on dive boats.  You may also find employment in the field of underwater research, in the oil industry, in the military, in underwater construction and repair, or with the police.  Some Certified Divers dive commercially for shell fish and others specialize in photography.  Some Certified Divers teach privately.

To become a Certified Scuba Diver, you must have good eyesight.  This may involve contact lenses, but not glasses, as these are easily displaced or lost underwater.  You must also be comfortable in any water, a strong swimmer, able float for a considerable length of time.  If you have any medical issues, you must understand how these relate to diving, and accept any restrictions they imply.

Requirements for Certified Scuba Divers vary considerably from location to location in the United States and around the world.  Get the best training you can afford in order to ensure that your services are in demand.

Scuba Diving, done safely, requires a combination of skill, knowledge, and experience.  The best Scuba Divers are physically fit, attentive to detail, cooperative, responsible, respectful, have good communication skills, and concerned, above all, about underwater safety.  They must be able to work as part of a team.  Certified Scuba Divers that teach must have good people skills, and be able to transmit their knowledge and skill to their pupils.  They must be able to command attention, and be able to supervise all members of the group at all times.

Education

Get the best training you can afford.  Some schools offer to train you in an unbelievably short length of time.  These are probably not your best choice.  Do some research.  Compare prices, locations, length of training, costs, materials covered and provided, and the qualifications of the instructors.  Is equipment provided or must you rent or purchase it?  Speak to a professional diver, perhaps one who works for a commercial outfit, the police, or the army.  Get their advice.

To take training to become a Certified Scuba Diver, you must first pass a physical exam.  The requirements of the exam will be dictated by the training school.

If you pass the physical exam, you will then be required to pass a water fitness test, which involves swimming a specified distance comfortably, and treading water for a specified length of time.

Training for Certified Scuba Divers starts with academic learning, safety, and the use of equipment.  This knowledge is then put to use in a pool, or other enclosed, controlled site.  Next, you will undertake a series of open water dives.  After you have completed the underwater dives, and have proven the necessary level of knowledge and skill, you may become certified.

After completing Certification requirements, you will  be able to get a job as a Certified Scuba Diver.  There are jobs available all around the world.  Your learning however has just started.  Consider further training in instruction, search and rescue, or exploration.  Certified Scuba Diving is one career that is done for the pure pleasure of the experience as well as for the monetary gains.