Frequently Asked Questions

From 1990-99, there were 38 shark attacks on divers…. worldwide.  From 2000-2009, the number was 34.  (Source).  About twenty percent of those attacks were fatal.

The broader shark attack numbers that just on divers are also amazingly rare.  There were 79 confirmed shark attacks on humans, worldwide, in 2010 and 63 attacks in 2009.  There were only 6 fatalities from shark attack in 2010 — sharks do not hunt humans and in the rare cases where they bite, then most often then move on.

The yearly average number of deaths from 2001-10 from shark attacks are 4.3 per year. (Source). The chance of a shark attack while scuba diving is almost nil.

You stand a much better chance of dying from food poisoning or choking by eating dinner at a 5 star restaurant.  So let’s talk about things that are truly more risky than getting attacked by sharks.

The National Safety Council has compiled various statistics regarding causes of death in the United States — remember this is just the United States and not worldwide.  The latest date I could find stats for was 2000, and here is your source.

Recall that 6 people died from shark attacks last year, worldwide.

In 2000, the following were the number of deaths just in the U.S.:

• Animal rider or occupant of animal-drawn vehicle = 97
• Fall involving bed, chair, other furniture = 650
• Fall on and from stairs and steps = 1,307
• Fall on and from ladder or scaffolding = 412
• Fall on same level (no stairs) from slipping, tripping and stumbling = 565
• Bitten or struck by dog = 26
• Bitten or struck by other mammals = 65
• Drowning and submersion while in or falling into bath-tub = 341
• Drowning and submersion while in or falling into swimming-pool = 567
• Drowning and submersion while in or falling into natural water = 1,135
• Accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed = 327
• Inhalation and ingestion of food causing obstruction of respiratory tract = 744
• Inhalation and ingestion of other objects causing obstruction of respiratory tract = 3,187
• Ignition or melting of nightwear = 9
• Ignition or melting of other clothing and apparel = 116
• Contact with hot tap-water = 55
• Exposure to excessive natural cold = 742
• Lightning = 50

Yes, if you do not sleep naked every night, you run a better chance of dying than being killed by a shark.  And if you got on a ladder to clean the roof of your house or to take the angel off the Christmas tree — you are running a hell of a bigger risk of dying than scuba diving in a shark-infested area of the world.

What do all those causes of death have in common, as compared to dying by shark attack?  They don’t make for a good Steven Spielberg movie with a very snappy soundtrack.

Required Documents:

• SSI Medical History Form
• If you have a "yes" answer on the medical questions, use the SSI Physician's Release Form to verify your condition does not preclude your participation.

The minimum age is 10 and there is no upper age limit. For children under 10, there is the Scuba Rangers – a way cool kids club.
Click here for more information.

All of SSI courses are available in both printed and digital format. With digital you can easily access the program on your PC, tablet or smartphone, anytime, anywhere in both, iOS or Android. At RU4Scuba, we have found that most people enjoy the interactive nature of smartphone apps.

Your Scuba Schools International and PADI certifications are recognized internationally.

No, it is possible to rent the major equipment, like regulators and BC’s. But, the safest way for anyone to dive is in their own personally fitted, high quality, total diving system.

The world is full of amazing diving destinations! Whether it’s the oceans or lakes, the underwater world offers endless and unique experiences.

We typically dive at least once a week locally and offer regional and exotic dive trips.