I had always been fascinated with exploration and more specifically the final two facets of life which remain a mystery: outer space and the ocean. Since there aren't many astronaut schools (yet?) I decided that I wanted to become a scuba diver. In parallel with my love of videography I knew that scuba could procure me a wonderful backdrop to record my adventures. A quick search on yelp! revealed two scuba shops not far from my residence on the north side of Chicago. After little debate I chose Learn Scuba Chicago: The ratings were perfect and the website made me laugh. I made my deposit to prevent myself from backing out and scheduled my first pool dive. I had no idea what to expect when I arrived but I imagined it would be something to the tune of a long-winded lecture and painstaking paperwork. Surprised, within the first 15 minutes I had assembled my gear and was jumping in the pool. The experience of breathing underwater is unforgettable; I was immediately a fan. Captain Bob had assembled a team of very competent and diverse interns that were both interesting and attentive. It was obvious that the people of Learn Scuba Chicago wanted to be there just as much as I. After my pool sessions I scheduled the final chapter of my certification: the quarry dives. The park was beautiful and littered with scuba aficionados. I began to realize a culture of diving that I never knew existed. The atmosphere of the Learn Scuba Chicago site was noticeably different than others. Besides having the largest vehicle in the lot (Bob's RV) we were the first (or only) group to get the grill going each day. Scuba, brats and burgers, followed by more scuba on a beautiful day at the quarry felt like paradise. I don't currently have any vacation plans but I look forward to my next time in the water. I am happy to call Learn Scuba Chicago my scuba alma mater (which translates "nourishing mother" in latin; so I guess that would be Bob). TLDR (too long didn't read) - Guy decides he wants to learn how to scuba dive. Has great experience with Learn Scuba Chicago. read more

Learn Scuba Chicago is an exceptional value. Captain Bob and his team are very knowledgable, flexible with dive dates/times, and make you at ease while having fun learning how to scuba dive. The online training was a great alternative to traditional classroom training, and was a nice touch. I would highly recommend Learn Scuba Chicago! read more

Had a great afternoon during today's Refresher Course. Our instructor was very knowledgeable, patient and responsive to the skills that we needed to practice most. I definitely recommend Learn Scuba Chicago! read more

Learn scuba Chicago with captain bob and his whole team was an exceptional experience! Not only were they incredibly professional but the vibe throughout the confined and open water dives was laid back and fun. The dive master students were incredibly patient and encouraging when I struggled with certain skills. Would recommend them for scuba certification in a heartbeat! read more

Top notch outfit. LSC helped my son successfully complete PADI written and pool exercises, for a referral to get his PADI Open Water certification on an overseas trip. The team was responsive and friendly throughout the process, and my son had a very good coach in the pool. LSC had reasonable prices and strong staff. read more

I found a groupon and well kept going. Capt. Bob and his crew of volunteer DMs are wonderful, They are extremely helpful and knowledgeable. I would send anyone to Learn Scuba Chicago. I am thinking of taking the advanced class along with the underwater photography class. Top Notch!!! read more

Learn to Scuba Chicago was a great experience! They really do try to keep the prices low as possible and the instructors are all very friendly. They work at your pace and you are able to schedule your own dates for training which is very convenient. I would recommend 10 out of 10! read more

I got my Open Water referral certificate through Learn Scuba last November. My experience was wonderful, start-to-finish. Honesty SCUBA diving is a little weird--you're breathing underwater, and that feels strange. All my instructors were very good at keeping things calm and easy while I was getting used to that weird sensation, and doing all the necessary tasks. As a result, things went very smoothly and I got through all five dives in just three pool sessions. It was really great being able to sign up for sessions all over Chicago--it made it very easy to fit the dives into my schedule, and get them all done in just a couple of weeks. I felt very well-prepared when I arrived in Belize and finished my certification with the open-water dives. All my instructors were helpful and friendly, and I want to especially commend Hector, who was really great and helped me blaze through three dives in one session. In response to one of the negative reviews below, it's true that the instructors are volunteers, and some are learning how to teach. But my experience was really good, and the newer teachers were always overseen by more experienced instructors who made sure everything was going well. It is definitely true that learning to be calm and comfortable under water is probably the main task of the training, but in my experience the instructors were really good at maintaining that calming vibe and being patient with students who were nervous or taking a while to get things right. The folks at the office were very helpful and nice when I approached them initially. My then-fiancee (now-wife!) and I had lots of questions about diving and about the certification process, and they were great and patient in explaining everything we needed to know. What at first seemed like an overwhelming amount of information came to be very easy to grasp. So overall I highly recommend Learn SCUBA. I never really expected to be a SCUBA diver, but I'm really glad I got certified! And despite my initial trepidation about some of it, Learn SCUBA honestly made it easy. read more

Just finished our Scuba certification using a Groupon with my husband. Our experience was great and got better with each dive. The staff we interacted with were all super friendly, patient and knowledgeable divers. One star removed only because our first few pool sessions were fairly chaotic. I attribute this to it being the start of summer and new staff was clearly being added and trained. For example, paperwork went missing, there weren't enough books, and when I picked up my materials the process was not explained to me very clearly. This did make for some slight confusion at first as to what we needed to do, how many pool sessions, etc. In the water though, things were very smoothly. The instructors were all patient and demonstrated skills as many times as needed. We attended 3 different pool sessions (one time at each facility) and worked with Walker, Stephanie and Bob. I must say Bob in particular truly has a knack for instructing students underwater clearly. They were all wonderful though. The online reservation system is really easy and convenient for signing up for the pool days. The day at the Quarry was my favorite as it was the most relaxed. Bob clearly explained everything before our dives, we moved at our own pace and the whole day was all about helping the students feel calm and comfortable in the water. My husband and I both left the Quarry feeling ready to dive and excited about our upcoming honeymoon trip to Roatan. Capt. Bob has a huge RV and provides the basis for a great BBQ, with the students bringing side dishes. We enjoyed our time out of the water as much as we enjoyed the dives. All in all, I would definitely recommend Learn Scuba Chicago to potential students. I will say that my husband and I are were on a tight time table (our own fault) so I would advise providing yourself with ample time to get the certification if you are doing so for a big trip like we were. Thank you, Learn Scuba Chicago, for helping us get our certification and find a new hobby! read more

Capt Bob, and his staff are awesome. Got my open water certification from them. Had some minor paper work issues, but it was from a last minute sign up on my part. Everything was resolved. Had some great teachers. Bobs staff and volunteers genuinely enjoy what they do, and make sure you learn and go through everything you need to in order to become a certified diver. They're very welcoming and friendly. I'm glad I did it. Only regret is I didn't do it sooner. read more

This place could not be better. Would highly recommend to anyone who wants to learn to scuba dive. The instructors are all fantastic. During my first pool dive I got so scared I immediately swam back to the surface. I told mark I got scared and he calmly brought me back down, got me to relax, and made me feel incredibly comfortable. He made sure I was okay, and my fear went away completely. If it wasn't for LSC's wonderful staff I might have though scuba diving wasn't for me. Since then I have finished my open water certification and I absolutely loved every second of it. The two dives at Haigh quarry were more of a celebration than a class. We got to eat, tell jokes, and just had a great time over all. read more

I took the discover dive recently as it was my first time scuba diving. All of the staff was very friendly and got me ready to go as soon as I got to the pool. Initially, it was a little weird breathing through the regulator. They let me swim around for a bit of time and I eventually started to get used to everything. I really appreciated all of the help from the very kind instructors and would highly recommend Learn Scuba Chicago to anyone interested in SCUBA diving. Anyone can give it a try! read more

Good people. Great teachers. Kept everyone at their own pace and made sure you mastered all the skills so you were prepared for whatever you might run into in the ocean. Lots of post lesson scuba activities all year also for those wanting to keep with it. Cant think of anything I would change. read more

We completed the NAUI Passport program with LSC and not only enjoyed the process, but felt completely comfortable throughout the entire process. Plus we bought out gear from them and through online research found that their prices were very competitive, with the added bonus of getting to try things on in person. If we end up going for additional certification there is no question we will return to LSC. read more

I bought a Groupon for Learn Scuba Chicago on a whim and was not disappointed. They have classes at for different locations with classes being offered most days of the week to fit my schedule. There is no time frame to take classes do i signed up when free. The staff is knowledgeable and I felt safe at all times. read more

Just completed my PADI open water referral. The instructors were all very friendly and informative. They answered all my questions offered helpful advice and allowed me to move at my own pace. Would definitely recommend this group for anyone interested in diving! read more

What a fantastic experience! Everyone at Learn Scuba Chicago was welcoming and friendly, letting you learn in a no pressure environment. They take your personal safety very seriously and I felt comfortable with the lessons and training. If you have ever considered getting certified, I would strongly encourage LSC. They are a great bunch and I will likely be back for advanced open water. Everyone there loves what they do and their enthusiasm is infectious. read more

I had a tremendously positive time with my Discover Scuba Experience earlier this week. Our facility, the Bensenville Aquatic Center, was clean, well-lit, and warm - the latter, a significant thing in wintertime! The equipment that was provided for us first time divers included airtanks, buoyancy compressor vests, fins, regulators, and dive masks - all of which were in good condition, and which proved to be effective in helping us learn and enjoy our time underwater. Most importantly, my instructor Amanda was enthusiastic, supportive, and an excellent communicator, both verbally AND in using the hand signals which she helped me employ when underwater. Before entering the water, I had expressed to Amanda that while I felt no great anxiety about being underwater, I was a slow learner of physical skills, and I would require some additional time to be able to really feel comfortable performing actions in the water for the first. Amanda, and the other staff in the water from Learn Scuba Chicago, were able to accommodate my needs with understanding and encouragement. I felt that I was not simply "another customer," I was an individual, and, in a way I was with friends. read more

I would recommend Learn Scuba Chicago to anyone. I knew absolutely nothing going into my first pool setion, but Capt. Bob along with all the other instructors were very knowledgeable and helpful. They let you learn at your own pace, without any pressure, which was the thing I liked most... If I go onto to advance my training, there is no doubt what company I will be going to. read more

Preparing for Burning Man, I figured getting my PADI open water diver certification would be excellent preparation. Out on the playa one never knows when a random 40' deep area of water to dive may manifest so best be prepared right? Captain Bob also agreed in my logic and gave me special instruction regarding diving in dry death valley like desert conditions free of charge. If you can't tell, i'm joking as water is scarce in the desert however their service was top notch. I also bought my gear (snorkel, mask, flippers) and they filled my special request to have all pink gear. They also offered to dye the pool pink for me however I figured out of respect for other divers that dislike the color, limit my pink fetish to my own personal items. I plan on continuing my diving certifications with Learn Scuba Chicago and also have interest going on their Destination Dive Trips. I'm really digging Captain Bob's RV and hear it's been specially suited to submerge in waters above the surface plus a foot or two. Not quite Volkswagen Schwimwagen though. TLDR? Use Learn Scuba Chicago to get your dive certifications and Gear. read more

Good expierence with Learn Scuba Chicago 1. had a groupon deal (now with groupon they offer 20% off local deals so it was even cheaper) - Learn scuba will allow you to upgrade for $200 dollars so you can get PADI open water cert! This ended up being a good deal when compared to other shops in the city 2. You can learn the material at your own pace and take the test whenever you want - I prefered this to how my boyfriend had to go to the class room and do classroom work - more flexible with busy work schedules 3. Pool classes where flexible and they attempted to maximize your time so you could complete all your pool dives in 3 days - If you felt uncomfortable they worked with you one on one and you could do as many pool sessions a needed until you were ready for the open water 4. The open water was very very cold but fun, and I feel ready for Mexico! They also allowed my boyfriend who is PADI cert to come with us on one of the open water days and brush up on his skills before our vacation. Everyone was very nice read more

We bought a YouSwoop for an open water quarry dive with Learn Scuba Chicago. Though we were looking forward to it, it was extraordinarily difficult to try to schedule the dive, and even harder to get basic information regarding the dive. Worse still, the customer service and attitude we received was unprofessional and extremely disappointing. First, the manager (not owner) is a guy who calls himself "Captain Bob." Though, in my opinion, calling yourself "Captain Bob" is a little goofy, I put that aside and tried to schedule a date and get information about a dive. I had several communications with Bob via email and a telephone call with him. Though presumably he knows something about diving, his business skills (and especially his customer services skills) are completely lacking. First, scheduling a date is extremely difficult. LSC posts on its website that certain dates on the quarry are possible dates if enough people email them. We inquired about September 15th, which was listed as such a possible date. The first response I received from Bob was that I had picked an unscheduled date, but I pointed out that their website listed the 15th as a potential date and that (as invited to do) I was emailing to make that request. Subsequently, I had to email Bob on several occasions to see if the 15th was going to be possible, but the only information I was given was that it was "50/50." I was not provided any additional information about when such a decision would be made, whether other people had inquired about that date, or follow-up (despite requests) as to whether it was going to happen or not. In fact, when I emailed him in follow-up, he told me that there were no dives at all that weekend (even though the 16th is scheduled and the 15th is still listed as a possible date). When I corrected him, he acknowledged he made a mistake, but he still did not provide any information about whether the 15th could happen. Ultimately, since we could get no confirmation or additional information from LSC, we decided that we would do the scheduled dive on September 16th. However, since the quarry is in Kankakee, I called again to try to confirm some information about how the day would play out. We have two young children and needed to coordinate a schedule for someone to watch them while we were gone. Now when I had first contacted LSC via telephone regarding scheduling I had talked to a female who said that, since we were doing an intro class, that we could show up later in the day to do our dive since it is not a full-day dive. The full-day dives start early, but we could come later. However, when I called again to get specific details I had the displeasure of talking with Bob on the telephone. First, he had no idea about the YouSwoop deals LSC had offered. When I told him we had purchase a YouSwoop open water dive at the quarry, he responded "I don't know anything about anything on YouTube." In addition, when I told him we had purchased a dive at the quarry, he argumentatively disagreed and asked to know how much we paid for it because they had only done a deal for pool dives. I had to correct him on that as well. When I explained to him that we were trying to get details (for babysitter purposes) about when they will be there from and until on the 16th, and information about how long we could anticipate being there, he would not provide any information. Worse, he acted as if it was an inconvenience to even be asked for such basic information. Bob said that sometimes they get there really early and sometimes are out of there early, but that he wouldn't know for sure until the Wednesday before the dive. He also said that he tells people to plan on being there the whole day, something which contradicted what I had been told previously and is contrary to the limited duration of the Youswoop offer. Instead, Bob dismissively said to get there early (though he would not say when they would arrive) or that we would have to wait for some unknown time until someone could get to us. According to Bob, we would have to "wait our turn" and "that is life." When I suggested to Bob that he should speak more respectfully to his customers he could have cared less and instead said that we should just seek a refund (which we are seeking though YouSwoop). When I asked Bob if he was the owner, he responded that he was the "manager." If I were the owner, as someone else is according to Bob, then I would have serious, serious issues with the way Bob has handled what could not be more basic scheduling and informational requests. I strongly recommend using someone other than this outfit based upon my negative experience. Update(2): Bob is really unbelievable. I stand by my post and Bob's reply is inaccurate. Bob's true colors show through in his replies. He isn't laid back but is rude and unprofessional. Should I post our emails to show Bob's reply is BS? You have failed Yelp 101 Bob. read more

Not very professional/organized but get the job done--though I'm not sure I would do a proper certification with them. Did a "refresher" course at UIC with these guys (street parking difficult, used parking garage for $8.50). Was told when I called to send an email to the main office to get info on how to register. No reply. Called back several days later and got registered. Received email confirmation (with no address for where to go or whether there was parking) with waiver and medical form, what to bring, that I should arrive 20 minutes early, and how tipping was suggested and common. Seriously? I'm paying for scuba certification, not getting a haircut or dinner. It bugs me when people try to blur the lines between services that require tipping and those that don't. Was told to send an email requesting wet suit/fins if I wanted those. No reply. Arrived at pool 15 minutes early and waited with the other people who arrived early for the divemaster and other two other non certified teachers (turns out they were working for free to get hours, hence the tipping) to arrive right on time (so why did I arrive early and wait for no reason?), with no knowledge of any request for fins or a wetsuit. Seemed like luck rather than organization that they had some that fit. Didn't ask for my medical forms or waiver. Had fairly casual but informative chat with dive master and two other people who were getting certfiied about descent and ascent (hopefully those getting certified would have a paper test component). Went over with various teachers things one should know for one's license, how to put equipment together and take it apart, mask removal, buoyancy, buddy checks, regulator stuff --all three were friendly, straightforward, and helpful. Felt like I got what I paid for. Would definitely recommend for refresher. No one ever asked for payment or any of my forms, I had to volunteer all that. Captain Bob was not there. read more