Breathe Underwater: Force‑E’s Try Scuba from Pool to Open Water in Fort Lauderdale

FORT LAUDERDALE SCUBA FIELD GUIDE

Breathe Underwater: Force‑E’s Try Scuba from Pool to Open Water in Fort Lauderdale

A three-hour, non-certification Try Scuba course (ages 10+) that covers gear, basic skills, and safety in classroom and pool sessions, with optional open-water dives to extend the experience.

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Breathe Underwater: Force‑E’s Try Scuba from Pool to Open Water in Fort Lauderdale.

Duration
3 Hours
Location
Fort Lauderdale
Operator
Scuba Steve Force-E Scuba Centers
Category
Scuba

Adventure brief

Breathe Underwater: Force‑E’s Try Scuba from Pool to Open Water in Fort Lauderdale

On Fort Lauderdale’s shore, Force‑E’s Try Scuba compresses the first, essential moments of a diver’s education into a single, supervised morning: classroom briefings on equipment and safety, hands-on skill practice in the pool, and the chance to step into open water afterward. It’s an accessible, instructor-led way to discover what it feels like to breathe underwater without committing to full certification.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida. At Force-E’s Try Scuba Course, located at 2808 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306, USA, beginners step into the world beneath the waves without a certification requirement. This three-hour introduction mixes classroom briefing, pool time, and hands-on gear experience to teach basic scuba equipment, skills, and safety under a certified dive professional. The training center operates monthly sessions at the Force-E Training Center in Fort Lauderdale and culminates in a noon finish that still leaves the afternoon for a beach stroll.

The site’s real advantage is its two-tiered format: a controlled pool environment for confident first breaths, plus optional open water options — a one-tank shore dive or a two-tank boat dive — that place new divers on the edge of the Florida Reef tract, the only living barrier coral reef in the continental United States. Expect to practice regulator recovery, mask clearing, buoyancy control, and buddy procedures in warm pool water before moving offshore with the same instructors for reef topography, sandy channels, and coral heads teeming with angelfish, sergeant majors, and the occasional nurse shark.

Force-E’s instructors guide students through digital academics before arrival so pool time is focused on hands-on practice. Gear rental is included for tanks and BCDs; students must bring a personal mask, snorkel, and fins — items available at the Force-E Fort Lauderdale store with student discounts — plus swimwear, towel, and a water bottle. Medical clearance may be required if the participant answers “yes” on the medical questionnaire, and instructors brief all participants on emergency procedures and surface support.

Why this course stands out in South Florida: it removes barriers to entry. In a region known for chartered boat departures, wide beaches, and a living reef system, Try Scuba offers a low-commitment way to sample scuba and decide if a certification path is right for you. The optional boat dives introduce new divers to local reef structures and marine life, while the Fort Lauderdale location makes it an easy add-on for coastal visitors and cruise passengers with limited time.

Whether you want a safe first breath underwater, a weekend skill boost, or a quick gateway to open-water snorkeling and diving, Force-E’s Try Scuba blends practical instruction with immediate access to some of Florida’s healthiest nearshore reefs. Sessions typically meet at 9:00 AM at the Force-E Fort Lauderdale store and the course wraps around 12:00 PM, leaving time to visit the nearby beaches. After booking you will receive an email with digital academics and next steps; completing the online modules before arrival makes pool time more efficient. If you opt for open water dives, call or email [email protected] to schedule shore or boat trips and confirm pricing and availability. today.

Route Schematic

Course Itinerary

A compact sequence of onboarding, instruction, in-water practice, and optional open‑water extensions.

  1. Force‑E Fort Lauderdale Store — Meet & Prep

    Meet your dive professional at the Force‑E Fort Lauderdale store at 9:00 AM to review paperwork, confirm paperwork and learning agreements, and be assigned rental gear.

  2. Classroom Briefing

    Cover scuba equipment, basic skills, and dive-safety procedures in a short classroom session before entering the water.

  3. Pool Skills & Practice

    Move to the pool to practice breathing, regulator use, buoyancy basics, and other foundational skills under instructor supervision; the scheduled course session completes around 12:00 PM.

  4. Optional: 1‑Tank Shore Dive

    For an additional fee, continue with a supervised one‑tank shore dive to experience open water under professional oversight.

  5. Optional: 2‑Tank Boat Dive

    Alternatively, opt for a two‑tank boat dive (additional fee) conducted with a Force‑E dive professional to extend underwater time and variety.

Participants must be at least 10 years old; complete the Medical Questionnaire and the Force‑E Student Learning Agreement before in-water sessions. If any medical questionnaire answers are 'yes,' a physician's clearance is required.

What the day feels like

What the Morning Feels Like

The course unfolds with an instructor-led briefing on equipment and safety, moves into a concentrated pool session to learn and rehearse core scuba skills, and finishes after roughly three hours—students who opt in can later continue into supervised open water for a true dive experience.

Classroom and Pool Fundamentals

THE LESSON

Classroom and Pool Fundamentals

A certified dive professional leads classroom instruction and pool sessions covering scuba equipment, core skills, and dive-safety procedures so you can experience breathing underwater in a controlled setting.

Hands-on Equipment and Retail Support

THE GEAR

Hands-on Equipment and Retail Support

High-quality scuba rental gear is provided; participants must bring their own mask, snorkel, and fins (available for purchase at the Force‑E retail store, where students receive a discount).

Optional Open-Water Dives

THE NEXT STEP

Optional Open-Water Dives

If you want to extend the morning, add a supervised open-water option for an additional fee—either a one‑tank shore dive or a two‑tank boat dive with a Force‑E professional.

Suitability

Who it's for

Who this Try Scuba course suits—and who should look elsewhere.

1
Curious BeginnersIdeal for people who want a supervised, hands-on taste of scuba without committing to certification; the course teaches basic gear, skills, and safety in a single session.
2
Families with Older KidsA family-friendly introduction for children and teens aged 10 and up who meet the medical requirements and want to try diving in a controlled pool setting.
3
Certification-SeekersNot a substitute for certification—this course does not award a diving certification, though it can be followed by open-water options or full certification training later.
4
People with Medical ConcernsThose who answer 'yes' on the Medical Questionnaire must obtain physician clearance before participating in any in-water sessions.

Practical planner

Details to review before reserving

Timing & Meeting

The Try Scuba session is scheduled as a roughly three-hour course; meet at 9:00 AM at the Force‑E Fort Lauderdale store. Expect course completion around 12:00 PM.

What to Bring

Bring a swimsuit, towel, water bottle, sunscreen, and any personal items in a bag. You must own a mask, snorkel, and fins; if you need them, Force‑E’s retail staff can help and students receive a discount.

Gear & Rentals

High-quality scuba rental gear is provided by the operator; students are responsible for transporting any personal scuba equipment to and from the pool.

Online Preparation

Digital academics are encouraged to be completed before the course so you can maximize in-person time with the dive professional.

Booking Notice

Review cancellation policies before reserving.

Frequently asked questions

Planning Your Outing

Will I earn a scuba certification from this course?

No. The Force‑E Try Scuba Course provides an introductory experience but does not issue a diving certification.

How long does the Try Scuba course take?

The scheduled session is approximately three hours, with a meeting at 9:00 AM and completion around 12:00 PM.

What are the age and medical requirements?

Participants must be at least 10 years old. All students must complete a Medical Questionnaire; if you answer 'yes' to any question, physician clearance is required before any in-water sessions.

What should I bring to the course?

Bring a swimsuit, towel, water bottle, sunscreen, and personal items. You must bring your own mask, snorkel, and fins; rental scuba gear is provided but these three personal items are required.

Can I do an open-water dive after the pool session?

Yes—for an additional fee you can add a one-tank shore dive or a two-tank boat dive conducted with a Force‑E dive professional to experience open water.

How will I receive details after booking?

After purchasing the course online you will be connected via email with your next steps and required paperwork.

Do I need to arrange transportation?

Yes. Each student is responsible for their own transportation and for transporting any personal scuba equipment to and from the pool.

How this guide was prepared

This field guide is synthesized using verified supplier specifications, route descriptions, and destination data. Some booking links may generate affiliate revenue for ADV Guides.

  • Verified: 2026-09-14T12:08:36.048Z

Some booking links may generate revenue for ADV Guides or The Adventure Collective.

Availability, pricing, schedules and operating details can change.

Trip details and contextual sources were reviewed by ADV Guides Editorial.

Breathe Underwater: Force‑E’s Try Scuba from Pool to Open Water in Fort Lauderdale