THE YOUDIVE LIBRARY
Stay curious. Keep learning.
Practical guides, course comparisons and diving knowledge, with an Australian perspective.
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comparison
Learning to Dive: Tropical vs Temperate
Certifying in Cairns or in Melbourne produces different divers — here is how, and why it matters.
Read guide
comparison
Open Water vs Advanced Open Water
What the second certification actually gives you, and whether it is worth taking straight away.
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comparison
PADI vs SSI
The two largest recreational agencies in Australia — and why the difference matters less than most divers expect.
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guide
Returning to Diving After a Break
A practical way to rebuild comfort, buoyancy and equipment familiarity before making the destination dive the checkout dive.
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guide
Scuba Medicals and Fitness to Dive in Australia
When a medical assessment may be required, what a dive operator needs to know and how to discuss health changes without guessing at medical clearance.
Read guideOur upcoming editorial topics
WHAT’S NEXT
Topics in development
These guides are planned and are not available to read yet.
First experiences 10 planned
- What is scuba diving?In development
- How does an introductory dive differ from certification?In development
- What swimming ability is required to learn scuba?In development
- What questions should I ask before booking a first dive?In development
- How do scuba diving, snorkelling and freediving differ?In development
- What happens on an introductory scuba experience?In development
- How do I decide whether to try diving?In development
- What should I bring to my first scuba session?In development
- Can I learn to dive if I feel nervous in the water?In development
- What should parents know about junior diving programmes?In development
Certification choices 8 planned
- How does Open Water certification work?In development
- How do other training agencies fit into Australian diving?In development
- How do eLearning and classroom theory compare?In development
- How do referral dive courses work?In development
- How do intensive and spread-out dive courses compare?In development
- How much does learning to dive cost in Australia?In development
- How do private and group dive courses compare?In development
- What should I check in a dive-course booking policy?In development
After certification 8 planned
- What should I do after getting certified?In development
- How do I plan my first dives after a course?In development
- What belongs in a beginner's dive log?In development
- How do I find a suitable dive buddy?In development
- How do I choose my first specialty course?In development
- When might a buoyancy workshop help?In development
- How can a beginner choose a dive club?In development
- How do I recognise when a planned dive exceeds my preparation?In development
Preparing for training 9 planned
- How can I prepare questions for my dive instructor?In development
- How do confined-water training sessions work?In development
- What happens during open-water training dives?In development
- How can I study dive theory effectively?In development
- What happens if I need more time to complete a diving skill?In development
- What should I know about learning to dive with a disability?In development
- How do I find diving instruction in my preferred language?In development
- How should I choose equipment sizes before a course?In development
- What questions should I ask about instructor supervision?In development