A scuba class will be taught this semester at Bakersfield College.

The instructors for the class will be David Miller and Tina Cummings. Miller owns a dive shop in town and is very excited about starting a dive class at BC. He said, “I expect it to take off like a hot air balloon taking off, then expand.”

The purpose of having a scuba class at BC is for students that would like to become certified divers. According to Cummings, most junior colleges with aquatic centers offer scuba courses.

The class will be two units and a $150 material fee that will include a mask, fins, snorkel, and boots. The class will also be taking two dive trips. This is half the price a person would pay if they wanted private lessons that run for about $295, and this price doesn’t include any of the gear.

“To teach scuba here at BC would be the cheapest way for students to learn and become certified scuba divers,” Miller said.

Once the students go through the proper training they will receive a PADI card, which stands for Professional Association of Diving Instructors. Cummings said, “When a person becomes certified, they can dive anywhere in the world.”

The class will be teaching the very beginning fundamentals of scuba since it’s the first of its kind at BC. Miller hopes that the class will advance to other dive classes in the future.

Miller said, “Here at BC will be beginning classes, and then hope they accelerate to boat diving, photo diving and more.”

For this semester, the class cannot be used for physical education units but will in the following semesters.

Twenty students will be allowed to enroll in the class; it will start March 20 and be taught every Tuesday and Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

If you try to enroll for the class online, it will show that class has been closed; however, if you want to join, meet at the pool on March 20 and there will be more instructions on how to become part of the class.

If you are interested in learning more about the scuba class, contact Tina Cummings at (661) 395-4663.