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There are a great many dive operators, offering almost every category of diving course available, to be found in and around our region. Prices for an initial certification course have actually slowly dropped in the last years, down to as low as AU$ 250, and they are certainly cheaper than those offered in the chilly, dank waters of Europe and the U.K. Once certified you can accompany any of the plethora of dive trips available locally and you're also qualified to hire gear for a recreational dive worldwide.
There is a real danger when SCUBA diving from gases in the bloodstream expanding too fast and forming bubbles. This is what causes 'the Bends". Constantly breathing and knowing the correct rate/s at which to ascend, virtually eliminate this danger. Equalising the pressure in the eustachian tubes which connect the middle ear and the throat is the first technique people diving beneath the water need to learn. Pain or discomfort in either ear indicates a pressure imbalance and continuing to descend, without first equalising the pressure, can result in severe problems including permanent deafness.
Intro Diving
Certified Diving
Health Before beginning a certification course, you will be required to undergo a 'Dive Medical'. These are quite straight forward and widely available. Asthma, heart conditions, pregnancy, sinus problems and blood pressure anomalies are common reasons for failing. You do need to be slightly better than reasonably fit to become a certified SCUBA diver. Diving Skills
After demonstrating to your instructor that you can actually manage a few lengths of the pool without assistance or rest breaks, you will begin to master the basic skills required to get yourself under the water. Now, please don't laugh too loud as some people do get stopped by this but, sincerely, you will have to be able to put your head beneath the surface of the water. Then there is snorkeling gear to become familiar with. Snorkel, mask and flippers, along with the selection, wearing and rapid release of a weight belt, are explained, sampled, practised and tested. Techniques to equalise the pressure in your ears will be discussed and put to the test, though in most swimming pools descending to any great depth is a little tricky, so the real test for this will have to wait till you get out and into the ocean. Next comes the actual SCUBA gear. Learning about, understanding and practising assembling, checking, maintaining, carrying, wearing and finally, using this gear, does initially require more than a little time and attention.
Quite often, by the time you are ready for your first dive in the open ocean, you already understand what is going on, know enough of the do's and don't's to be safe and only require a little practise to be ready for certification. Your instructor will however run through many seemingly trivial details and simple technique tests several times and also be understandably cautious of allowing you to plunge into the Coral Sea on your first dive. Nevertheless, whilst qualifying as a SCUBA diver you will most likely enjoy some wonderful dives and with some application and endeavor will soon have your certification card and be free to dive where and when you choose.
Preparation Finding out your gear is kaput 25m under the water, or discovering 40km from the mainland that you need a repairman, are events no-one would wish to experience. Being certain that your own physical condition and stamina is up to scratch and that you really know how deep you can safely be, and for how long, on your next dive are also essential. Having a few less drinks the night before and not having to miss your flight because you had one dive too many are also things to keep in mind. Just as important as all these, is having an understanding of the prevailing conditions at your dive site. Be prepared.
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There are three main rules when using SCUBA gear.
People with asthma need a specific medical certificate to go diving. If you're pregnant you will be thoroughly discouraged from diving, as nobody knows what complications could arise. Anyone with a serious heart condition, or on certain medications, or whom any of the crew even vaguely suspect is under the influence of alcohol, will not be allowed to dive. Should you have a bad head cold you may find it very difficult to get under the water, as it is likely that equalising the pressure in your ears will not be possible.
The relatively recent concept of Resort Diving, or Intro [ Introductory] Diving, is now an everyday reality for hundreds of people of all ages [12+], nationalities, lifestyles, temperaments, and most budgets. After a brief instruction session, normally on the voyage out to the reef or in your resort's swimming pool, once moored at the reef you will be kitted out, attentively helped into and under the water, and will be there amongst it all blowing bubbles with the fish before you've really realised what's happening. Many operators will not charge you anything if you decide the experience is not for you in the first ten minutes or so, so don't hesitate to have a go at what for so many, is a once in a lifetime, megamazing experience and the biggest highlight of any holiday ever.
To delve into the complex, extensive details and necessary knowledges involved in completing a dive certification course would be superfluous to our purpose. However the three most important factors on any dive trip are: 
This is ultimately what your certification course is all about. There is a considerable assortment of courses available, some designed to be done in a hurry, some to be completed as you are able (preferably before your current 'dive medical certificate' expires), some to cater for very low budgets and others offering the lap of luxury. Some courses include several days and nights, outer reef diving. Most courses end with two days spent on a dive boat out at the reef, but almost always begin in a swimming pool of some sort.
Usually two days are spent engaged in 'pool sessions'. These also involve a fair whack of serious studying of dive manuals and much practise comprehending and using 'dive tables', 'dive plans', 'dive profiles' etc. Hopefully, by the end of day two your instructor will be confident you are ready to plunge into the open ocean and you can then spend the night in excited anticipation of the next two or three days' diving out at the reef itself.