Learn to Scuba Dive in Arizona | Debunking 5 Scuba Myths

Ben Lair   Jul 28, 2025

Scuba Diving in the Desert? Debunking 5 Common Myths About Learning to Dive in Arizona

It’s a question we get almost every week at the shop, usually delivered with a mix of genuine curiosity and slight disbelief: "How do you teach scuba diving in the middle of the desert?" It’s a fair question. The sun-drenched landscape of Southern Arizona doesn’t exactly scream "underwater adventure."

This geographic reality has created a handful of myths that we believe stop adventurous people from pursuing a life-changing certification. The truth is, Tucson is a fantastic place to learn to dive, offering a comprehensive, safe, and fun pathway to exploring the other 71% of our planet.

Today, we're going to play myth-busters. Let’s dive in and debunk the five most common misconceptions about learning to scuba dive right here in Arizona.

Myth #1: "You need to live near an ocean to learn how to scuba dive."

The Reality: Scuba Schools International (SSI) has perfected a training system that can be taught anywhere in the world. The certification process is intelligently broken into three parts, only the last of which requires a body of open water.

1. Academic Training: This is where you learn the "why" behind diving—the physics, physiology, and safety procedures. Thanks to SSI's digital learning platform, you can complete this entire portion online, at your own pace, from your couch right here in Tucson.

2. Confined Water Training: This is your first time breathing underwater! You’ll learn and practice all your essential scuba skills under the direct supervision of an instructor in a controlled environment, like a swimming pool. Our pool sessions are where you build the foundational comfort and competence that makes you a great diver.

3. Open Water Certification Dives: This is where you put it all together. You'll complete a series of four dives with your instructor to demonstrate your skills in a natural body of water.

As you can see, the vast majority of your learning happens right here in town, long before you see a lake or ocean.

Myth #2: "But there's nowhere to do the certification dives nearby."

The Reality: This is where the adventure truly begins! We offer our students a choice of fantastic and convenient locations to complete their open water certification dives, catering to different schedules and tastes.

• The Convenient Local Option: Lake Pleasant, Arizona. Just a couple of hours from Tucson, Lake Pleasant is Arizona's premier local diving destination. It offers a fascinating underwater environment perfect for training. You can explore submerged canyons and even see the famous "Old Waddell Dam" structure deep beneath the surface. With dedicated diver-friendly parks, it’s an incredibly convenient way to complete your certification dives over a weekend without extensive travel.

• The Ocean Getaway: San Carlos, Mexico. Want to complete your certification in the actual ocean? Join us for a weekend dive trip to San Carlos! A short drive south of the border, San Carlos sits on the magnificent Sea of Cortez, famously called "the world's aquarium" by Jacques Cousteau. Here, you’ll do your training dives in warmer water, surrounded by vibrant schools of fish and colorful reef life. It turns your certification into a mini-vacation and gives you your first taste of the incredible marine biodiversity that awaits you as a certified diver.

Myth #3: "Scuba diving is extremely dangerous and I'm probably not a strong enough swimmer."

The Reality: This is one of the biggest myths in diving. Thanks to modern, reliable equipment and highly standardized training procedures, scuba diving has an excellent safety record, especially when compared to many other recreational sports. Your SSI instructor at 72 Aquatics is a trained professional whose entire focus is on your safety and comfort.

As for the physical requirements, you don’t need to be an Olympic athlete. The SSI standards require you to be medically fit for diving and demonstrate basic water comfort. This includes:

• A 10-minute float or tread in water too deep to stand in.

• A 200-meter swim (un-timed, any stroke) OR a 300-meter swim with a mask, fins, and snorkel.

That's it. This isn't about speed or style; it's about ensuring you are comfortable in the water. Remember, the scuba gear is designed to make moving underwater easy and efficient.

Myth #4: "The certification process takes too long and is too complicated."

The Reality: Decades ago, this might have been true. Today, the process is streamlined and flexible to fit modern schedules. With SSI's digital learning, you can complete the classroom portion whenever you have free time—on your lunch break, in the evenings, or over a weekend.

The in-water portion is typically completed over two weekends. The first weekend is for your pool sessions here in Tucson. The second weekend is your open water certification trip to either Lake Pleasant or San Carlos. Many people go from signing up to being fully certified in just a matter of weeks. We've structured our courses at 72 Aquatics to be as efficient and accessible as possible for people with busy lives.

Myth #5: "The gear is way too expensive and I won't know what to buy."

The Reality: For your Open Water Diver course, we provide all the essential life-support equipment you need: the regulator, the buoyancy control device (BCD), the tank, and the dive computer.

We do require all students to own their own personal "mask, fins, and snorkel." Why? Because a proper-fitting mask is the single most important piece of gear for your comfort and enjoyment. A leaky, uncomfortable mask can ruin a dive. Our expert staff at 72 Aquatics will personally fit you for a mask that seals perfectly to your face. Think of it as the first, most important investment in your new hobby. As you continue diving, we'll be here to guide you through any future gear purchases, ensuring you get the right equipment for your needs and budget.

Your Adventure is Waiting

Don't let your zip code dictate your dreams. You absolutely can become a confident, certified scuba diver right here in Tucson, and 72 Aquatics is the perfect place to start. We will provide the expert training, the professional gear, and the community to launch you into a lifetime of underwater exploration.

Ready to bust some myths for yourself? Stop by the shop on North Swan Road, give us a call at (520) 771-8214, or check out our course schedule online. Your next adventure is waiting.