Boy Scouts of America Merit Badge for Scuba Diving in Abu Dhabi!

Welcome to the world of diving!

Much like scouting, the overall philosophy of scuba encourages the quest for adventure. It is a life changing experience that enables young men and women to embrace challenges in a whole new way. That first breath underwater; the feeling of total weightlessness as you embark into a foreign world enables you to be part of something so powerful it transforms your life!

Achievement of the Scuba Diving merit badge will result in a PADI Jr or Open Water Diver Certification. This is a lifetime certification that is only the first step into an endless world of new experiences, adventure and fun. It will allow young divers to discover the amazing aquatic realm. Let Al Mahara Diving Centre help you and your troop to fulfill the scouting philosophy through education, experience and care for the environment,

For the Boy Scouts of America Scoutmasters

The Scuba Diving merit badge is the perfect compliment to Scouting values.  It reinforces the Scouting principles of character development such as self-reliance, physical fitness and taking care of the world around you. 

Incorporating the Scuba Diving merit badge into your group meetings is easy, start helping your troops to earn their Scuba Diving merit badge today!

We have even helped with an Eagle Scout project in Abu Dhabi too!

How do I get my Troop Involved?

• Familiarize yourself with the Scuba Diving merit badge requirements       
• Al Mahara Diving Center can help organize a learning schedule for the course for your troop.
• Explore fundraising options to raise money for everyone in your troop to partipate in a PADI Scuba Diving Course

Boy Scouts of America Getting Started Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much time does it take to earn your Scuba Diving merit badge?

 A.  It is possible to complete your confined and open water dives in as few as three or four days by completing the classroom portion online via PADI eLearning or home study options offered by your local dive shop or resort

 
2. How much does it cost to earn your Scuba Diving merit badge?A. Each dive center is independently owned and operated so course pricing will vary depending on the store and the method of learning you choose. Many dive centers do offer special pricing for troops so be sure to identify yourself as a scout leader.

B. If cost is still an obstacle, consider a fund raiser.  Many PADI Dive Shops will work with scout units to set up a Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) fund raiser.  The boys sell DSDs to the public, families and friends, and the revenue is split with the Dive Shop.  The Dive Shop fulfills the DSDs that are sold, and the scouts use the portion of the revenue they keep to help fund their scuba diving course.

3. Is Scuba Diving a safe sport for my son to participate in?A.  Statistics show that scuba diving is a very safe sport, with very few incidents compared to the number of dives performed annually.  In addition, scuba diving is also a nonimpact sport, is noncompetitive and will get the scouts out from in front of the computer and/or television.

4. How long is my certification good for?A.  Once you’re certified you’re certified for life!

5. Can I earn this merit badge if I don’t live close to the ocean?A.  You can dive practically anywhere there’s water – from a swimming pool to the ocean and all points in between, including quarries, lakes, rivers and springs. But, don’t limit your thinking to the warm, clear water you see in travel magazines. Some of the best diving is closer than you think.
Your local dive site can be anything from a special pool built just for divers like one found in Brussels, Belgium, or more typically natural sites like Belize’s Great Blue Hole, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef or Japan’s Yonaguni Monument. It may be a manmade reservoir or a fossil-filled river. It’s not always about great visibility because what you see is more important than how far you see.

6. How can I find someone to offer my scuba training.A. Visit Al Mahara Diving Center in Abu Dhabi or Desert Islands Watersport Centre and our team will assist you and your troops on how to organise for the BSA Scuba Diving Merit Badge and any activities which maybe incorpoated into your scouting program.

7. How do I find a merit badge councilor for the Scuba Diving merit badge?A. There are a couple of ways of doing this.  First, contact your local Council Merit Badge coordinator.

8. Do I need to purchase any equipment to learn to dive?

A.   To ensure the experience is enjoyable most dive centers require each student diver to have personal snorkeling gear including mask, snorkel and fins. Depending on the geographic location and water temperature some stores may also require a hood, dive booties and gloves All of these items can be purchased on site at the Al Mahara Diving Center. We will have the remainder of the gear available for rental.  It’s important to work purchasing scuba diving gear (including mask, snorkel and fins) to ensure everything fits properly.
Note: Be sure to let us know the height and weight of the students so they can make sure they enough gear available for everyone.

9. Are there any medical restrictions for learning to dive?

A.   For safety, all students complete a brief scuba medical questionnaire that asks about medical conditions that could be a problem while diving. If none of these apply, you sign the form and you’re ready to start. If any of these apply to you, as a safety precaution your physician must assess the condition as it relates to diving and sign a medical form that confirms that you’re fit to dive. In some areas, local laws require all scuba students to consult with a physician before entering the course.

10. Can I begin my training online?A. If you’re looking for a flexible way to fit a scuba certification into your busy schedule or if you just prefer web based learning, then PADI’s online scuba courses are the way to go. 
Whether you want to take scuba lessons for beginners or you’re ready to advance your scuba skills training, PADI eLearning is a convenient way to learn.
• You can get started immediately with scuba knowledge development and work at your own pace using the PADI eLearning system.
• PADI continually adapts course content for online delivery, which means you should check back regularly to view newly released online courses.
 by offering service projects such as car washes, window cleaning, lawn mowing and other projects.  Perform these tasks to earn money to complete the merit badge and certification.

Contact Al Mahara Diving Center at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more details on organsing BSA Scuba Diving Merit Badge or other BSA activities that we can support.