Each of the below learning paths prescribe a recommended set of tasks, books, courses, etc. to help you put together a study plan. Remember the Break Diver's Creed: No Rules. No Excuses. No Regrets. Go make it happen!
 
Beginner

  • Determine if there are local PADI or NAUI SCUBA shops or centers in your city / country.

  • Make plans for your first dive, either close to where you live, or in another city / country.

  • Remember that you can read up a lot about SCUBA diving online, and we provide a bunch of resources in our resource section.

  • Buy a bathing suit.  :D  And it should go without saying that if you can't swim, you should learn first how to swim.

  • At this stage, you should literally, get your feet wet, and become certified as an Open Water Diver.

  • Visit our “resources” section for SCUBA Diving and review each of the “beginner” resources.

 
Intermediate

  • By the intermediate stage, you should be an Advanced Open Water Diver, and have a large number of dives in different conditions under your belt.

  • You should be moving on to the Rescue Diver phase, as the more diving you do, the more important it is that you are the role model for safety on your dives.

  • Visit our “resources” section for SCUBA Diving and review each of the “intermediate” resources.

 
 Advanced

  • By this stage, you should be a fish in water!  SCUBA diving should be a natural pastime for you now, and you are likely a Dive Master, or Master SCUBA Diver, if not an instructor.

  • Start focusing on advanced certifications.

  • Consider becoming an instructor or opening a dive shop of your own (or perhaps working at one).

  • Visit our “resources” section for SCUBA Diving and review each of the “advanced” resources.