Business Details
27 Years
experience
Your Trusted Scuba Diving School in Columbus, OH
Founded in 1999 by Andy Silverman, Columbus Scuba has grown from a garage-based operation into one of North America's premier dive education facilities. As a PADI Course Director and holder of multiple industry certifications, Andy has certified thousands of divers and instructors while accumulating approximately 10,000 logged dives. The company maintains the highest training standards while fostering a community-focused environment that welcomes divers of all backgrounds. Our state-of-the-art equipment rentals and sales ensure optimal safety and enjoyment, with brands carefully selected through partnerships with leading manufacturers. We specialize in creating comprehensive diving experiences through local training programs, international travel opportunities, and equipment services performed by manufacturer-trained technicians.Our team includes 27-year diving educator Andrew G. Silverman and numerous certified instructors holding specialties in technical diving, public safety diving, and instructor training. The business operates from a 4680 Indianola Ave location offering equipment service, course instruction, and travel planning while maintaining rigorous safety protocols including annual visual cylinder inspections and five-year hydrostatic testing as required by the Department of Transportation.
Services
Try Scuba Diving
Open Water Certification
Equipment Rentals
Dive Travel Arrangements
Equipment Service & Repair
Technical Diving Courses
Professional Instructor Training
Nitrox Certification
Underwater Photography Instruction
Cavern Diving Specialization
Details
- Year established: 1999
Highlights and features
- 27-year diving educator with 10,000+ logged dives
- PADI Master Instructor and Course Director on staff
- Manufacturer-trained equipment service technicians
- International dive travel opportunities to 15+ destinations
- Comprehensive equipment rental fleet with 20% student discount
Associations and certifications
- PADI
- IANTD
- PSI
Services
Try Scuba Diving
Our Try Scuba program offers first-time divers a controlled introduction to underwater breathing. Participants learn basic skills in shallow water under direct supervision of PADI-certified professionals. This 2-hour session includes equipment orientation, pool training, and weightless experience. The $79 fee applies toward full certification costs, making it ideal for potential divers evaluating the sport. No prior experience required.
Open Water Certification
PADI Open Water Diver certification course teaches essential scuba skills through classroom learning, pool training, and open water dives. The $569 program includes all materials, equipment rental, and certification fees. Students complete five knowledge development sessions, five pool dives, and four open water dives. Certification enables independent diving worldwide with depth limitations based on training completion.
Equipment Rentals
We offer complete scuba equipment rentals including BCDs, regulators, wetsuits, and tanks. Our rental fleet features top brands with regular maintenance by certified technicians. Prices start at $14/day for tanks and $22/day for BCDs. Current students receive 20% discounts. All rental regulators include safety checks, and weight-integrated systems are standard. Reservations recommended for travel groups.
Dive Travel Arrangements
We organize annual diving expeditions to premier destinations including Bonaire, Cozumel, and the Red Sea. Packages include accommodations, dive operations, and equipment transport logistics. Our 2025-2026 schedule features 10+ locations with varying difficulty levels. Travelers receive pre-trip equipment checkups and destination-specific training recommendations. Deposits required for all bookings.
Equipment Service & Repair
Our PSI-certified technicians provide annual visual inspections ($18.99) and five-year hydrostatic testing ($49.99) for scuba cylinders. Regulator services include $24.99 inspections and $89.99 full rebuilds. We repair BCDs, drysuits, and accessories using manufacturer-approved parts. All services include documentation and returned components. Free inspections for equipment originally purchased from Columbus Scuba.
People
Andy Silverman
Founder & Owner
Andy founded Columbus Scuba in 1999 and has accumulated 10,000+ dives. He holds PADI Course Director, IANTD Instructor Trainer-Trainer, and multiple technical diving certifications. With 27 years in diving education, he has certified thousands of divers and instructors while serving on the IANTD board of directors.
Gabe Walsh
General Manager
Gabe serves as PADI Course Director and Instructor Trainer with specialties in public safety diving and mermaid instruction. He leads instructor development programs and technical diving courses while managing daily operations at the Columbus facility.
Richard Johnson
Assistant Manager
Richard manages course scheduling and instructor development as a PADI IDC Staff Instructor. He holds Master Scuba Diver Trainer certification and specializes in technical diving instruction while overseeing staff training programs.
Laurie Schneider
Sales & Training
Laurie coordinates sales operations and training programs as an Open Water Scuba Instructor. She assists with course logistics, equipment recommendations, and customer service while maintaining active instructional credentials.
Herman Scurlock
Sales & Equipment Service
Herman provides equipment sales consultation and service support as a Divemaster. He assists with gear selection, performs basic equipment maintenance, and supports training operations while maintaining active diving credentials.
Questions
What scuba certification options do you offer?
We provide PADI certifications from entry-level Open Water to professional instructor training. Specialties include technical diving, nitrox, cavern diving, and instructor development programs.
Do you rent scuba equipment to non-certified divers?
Yes, we rent equipment to all customers. However, we recommend completing our Try Scuba program first to ensure proper equipment familiarity and safety protocols.
Can I use rental equipment for certification courses?
All certification students receive discounted equipment rentals. Our rental fleet meets training standards, with weight-integrated BCDs and modern regulator systems included in course packages.
What dive travel destinations do you organize?
We offer annual trips to Bonaire, Cozumel, Red Sea, Fiji, Roatan, and other premier locations. Our 2025-2026 schedule includes 10+ destinations ranging from tropical reefs to technical wreck sites.
How often should scuba gear be serviced?
Regulators require annual inspections and rebuilds every 2 years or 100 dives. Tanks need visual inspections yearly and hydrostatic testing every 5 years as mandated by the DOT.
Do you offer equipment purchase discounts?
Current students receive 20% rental discounts. While we don't offer standard purchase discounts, our staff helps customers select optimal gear within budget constraints through personalized consultations.
Videos
Reviews (5)
Tia Suplizio
Oct 03, 2021
Report
Columbus Scuba is awesome! I just got certified to dive and the staff is great, super-friendly, laid back, knowledgeable and eager to answer any questions! Richard Preston was my instructor and I would give him 10 stars if I could! Patient, kind, funnyhe made my diving experience an absolute blast! Im so excited to be a part of the Columbus Scuba communitygreat group of people!
Lindsey Marvin
Oct 01, 2021
Report
I had confined water class with Bob Bolds and my open water check out dives with Jenna and Jeff. Bob prepared me for everything I would need to know as well as how to do the skills myself. I was able to get certified with ease and wasn't nervous at all! Jeff and Jenna had very different personalities that complimented each other so well and made the entire weekend a blast. My husband was already open water certified and came along so we could do our first buddy dive after my certification was complete. Ive already recommended Columbus Scuba to two friends and my husband and I are looking forward
Mackenzie Hudson
Aug 24, 2021
Report
My experience with Columbus Scuba has been nothing short of spectacular. Ive done my Open Water Certification and my Advanced Open Water Certification with them and I couldnt imagine doing it anywhere else. To say the staff goes above and beyond for its divers is an understatement. Shelby and Brad were my instructors for my AOW and they were the dream team. I learned so much and had the best time and felt safe every single second. Everyone is so kind, helpful, and welcoming and they truly care about you and want you to love diving. If youre looking for the best little dive community, this
Robert J. Beggs
Apr 06, 2021
Report
My two boys age 18 and 16 took the introductory course with Gabe. The boys really enjoyed the course and are going to take advanced scuba as well. The classes were fun and Gabe kept it interesting. Both boys raved about Gabe and I am sure they had a good time in no small part due to his efforts. Hard to please teenage boys, but Columbus Scuba did it. Last weekend we went to Florida for the open water portion. Richard and Mark were awesome. The boys had a great time and the instruction was first rate. The instructors were friendly, patient, and very informative. You will love this instruction, the
Shawn Saeger
Dec 04, 2020
Report
Couldnt be more happy with Columbus Scuba. First time diver and highly recommend the Columbus Scuba crew to help you on your journey. Staff is amazing and very accommodating. Just finished my check out dives and now a certified diver!! Highly recommended and will be using the company for all my diving needs. Thanks Shelby for your help and Kelly for the great checkout weekend! #diverok