FAQs about PADI Scuba Diving Certification

University of Arkansas biomedical engineering student Patrick Kuczwara is an undergraduate research assistant at Quinn Labs, where he analyzes and collects quantitative tissue data. Patrick Kuczwara is a passionate sports fan and remains active in a variety of sports. He has been a PADI-certified diver since he was 12 years old.

Here are some of the most common questions that arise about certification from the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI):

Question: Is the certification process long?

Answer: The process is flexible and offers a variety of schedules that can be organized as quickly or as slowly as a student requires. The diving portion can be completed in as little as three days.

Q: What gear will I need to scuba dive?

A: Choosing the right gear is a part of PADI certification, and the best way to find out what gear is best suited for you is to visit the nearest PADI Dive Center.

Q: What are the requirements for certification?

A: You must be at least 10 years old. All students must complete a medical questionnaire that looks for medical issues that can cause problems while diving. If such conditions exist, a doctor must confirm that the student is fit to dive. Some local laws also require students to consult a physician before being eligible for the course.

Will Power Wins at Portland International Raceway

Photo by Sergei Boldt on Unsplash

Patrick Kuczwara is a University of Arkansas biomedical engineering student who holds membership with the National Society for Leadership and Success. In his free time, Patrick Kuczwara enjoys following and playing a variety of sports. He is also an avid fan of the NTT IndyCar Series.

The next-to-last race of the 2019 IndyCar season took place on September 1 at the Portland International Raceway and was won by Will Power. It was the second win in the past three races for Power, whose victory kept Alexander Rossi and defending series champion Scott Dixon from gaining ground on his teammate Josef Newgarden for this year's overall title. The Team Penske driver is now tied for sixth in all-time race wins (37) with Sebastien Bourdais and only two back of Al Unser for fifth place. A.J. Foyt leads all drivers with 67 career victories.

Power was the overall champion in 2014 and won the 2018 Indianapolis 500, but nonetheless expressed some regret when asked about his career following the race. The veteran driver commented that he feels he could have won more championships, which might be the case - he led the series in points going into the final race in 2010, 2011, and 2012.