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The Journey

From a first breath underwater in the pool to a certified open-water diver — the path every Undersea Warrior takes, step by step.

The eight steps

  1. Step 1: Try Scuba

    Meet at the pool, get fitted with dive equipment, then get in the water with an instructor for first skills — ending with the giant stride entry.

    Scuba tanks and regulators laid out on a pool deck while divers get their gear ready
    Meeting at the pool. Tanks and gear laid out.
    Four divers in scuba gear stand at the edge of a pool listening to an instructor
    The briefing.
    An instructor in full scuba gear steps off the pool edge to demonstrate the giant stride entry
    The instructor shows the giant stride.
    A diver in full scuba gear steps off the pool edge into the water
    The giant leap.
    A diver in full scuba gear steps off the pool edge into the water
    The giant leap.
    A diver in full scuba gear steps off the pool edge into the water
    The giant leap.

  2. Step 2: Decide to go forward

    After the try dive, each veteran decides whether to become a certified diver. All four of the first class said yes.

    Illustration of a man thinking, then smiling and giving a thumbs up
    Your call.

  3. Step 3: Get fitted and registered

    At Force-E Scuba Center in Pompano Beach: fitted for mask, fins, boots and snorkel — the gear goes in a dive bag and stays at the shop — registered with SDI, and the e-learning link arrives by email.

    Panoramic interior of the Force-E dive shop, with racks of wetsuits, fins, masks and regulators, dive flags, and a sea turtle mural, overlaid with the words Force-E Scuba Centers Pompano Beach
    Force-E Scuba Center, Pompano Beach.

  4. Step 4: E-learning at home

    Complete the SDI e-learning online.

    Scuba Diving International logo

  5. Step 5: Back to the pool

    Additional class pool work; BC, weights and regulator are added to your kit.

    Scuba buoyancy compensator, regulator set, and weight belt laid out on a bench
    BC, weights, and regulator join your kit.

  6. Step 6: Open-water dives

    Two dives from shore at the beach, weather permitting — or plan B: Tigertail Lake in Dania Beach.

    Four divers at the surface of open water next to an orange dive float, signaling OK
    At the surface after an open-water dive.

  7. Step 7: Boat dive

    A two-tank dive from a dive boat the following day.

    Divers gearing up at the stern of a dive boat flying the American flag
    Gearing up for the two-tank dive.
    A dive boat underway on the ocean with its dive flag flying
    Heading out.

  8. Step 8: Certified

    Back at Force-E, your SDI certificate and C-card are printed. You are a certified diver and an Undersea Warrior.

    Three men smiling together inside a dive shop after a scuba certification
    Newly certified, at Force-E.
    Three men smiling together inside a dive shop after a scuba certification
    Newly certified, at Force-E.
    Three men smiling together inside a dive shop after a scuba certification
    Newly certified, at Force-E.
    The first certified class holding certificates and the Undersea Warriors banner inside a dive shop, with the team mascot dog
    The first certified class. Right to left: Roman (General Manager, Force-E Pompano Beach; Director of Scuba Centers and Equipment), Mac, Gary R., Ray, Rob, Gary N. (Director of Diving Instructors), Lee, Jimbo (Director of Veteran Relations), and Milo, the warrior mascot.

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