When we go shopping, most of us will go to a supermarket instead of 5-6 separate smaller shops. There we can find everything we need under one roof, save time, discover new products, save as part of a loyalty program, and choose from a broad range of products. And feel sure of consistent customer service.

And it’s the same with diving. Imagine if you had to get your air fills from place A, pick up your gear from servicing at place B, meet your guide from place C, and jump on the boat from place D.

Though that is the norm in some areas, the benefits of a streamlined dive centre operation are very inviting. Below I will outline my top 5 benefits of choosing a dive centre.

benefit from a wealth of collective knowledge.

A dive centre will have a number of instructor staff who are probably specialists in different areas. That is because the training system encourages teaching what you are passionate about. Everyone is different and has different goals in their diving endeavours. So by choosing to train through a dive centre rather than a freelance instructor, you get to sample a wide range of specialist areas instead of a single point of view. Maybe you’re interested in photography, or underwater ecology, or technical diving, or equipment, or drift diving etc. chances are there is someone at the dive centre who can take you down that road on a PADI Speciality course with your best interests in mind

be immersed in a supportive environment.

By training through a dive centre, you will become part of a culture where continued development in diving is encouraged and safety is engrained in the process. Many new divers feel nervous about making their first dives after their course though qualified to dive independently with buddies. The idea of diving with the same group of mentors they’ve already built a relationship with is very attractive and you will get reminders and tips that form good habits. Even more experienced divers will often take advantage of leaving the broad planning and logistics to the dive centre, knowing that all the activities are well-planned and risk assessed. Bottom line is that you will dive sooner and more often if you dive with a dive centre.

benefit from economies of scale.

If everyone who wanted to boat dive needed to have their own boat, only a small few people would be able to. Or if everyone needed to have their own compressor the cost per fill would be astronomical. Therefore it makes sense to group all these fundamental resources into a single location where economies of scale will reduce the overall cost and make it more accessible. A good dive centre will not only offer instruction, but also air fills, Nitrox, gear hire, equipment sales, servicing, boat and shore dives (depending on the region). And because of economies of scale, these will be more affordable than like-for-like individual providers. If it’s not then ask yourself how that can make sense? Perhaps compromises have been made.

surround yourself with like-minded people.

Diving is a social activity. Diving is safer and more fun when done together. It’s a shame to see people finish their open water course only to never dive again because they haven’t got anybody to dive with. Or divers who used to dive all the time with a few people but over the years they’ve drifted apart. When you’re part of a dive centre affiliated dive club you are never short of people who have something in common with you. Diving!

get full customer service.

Even given everyone’s best efforts, things occasionally don’t go to plan. Though when you go through a dive centre you can rely on clear and swift customer service. Because a dive centre is more likely to pay attention to their responsibilities in that regard. A dive centre will have procedures in place and clear terms and conditions, so everyone knows where they stand. It is at the end of the day the customers that make a dive centre flourish.