Frequently Asked Questions
Answers about scuba training, rentals, gas fills, cylinder services, equipment service, trips, and shop policies.
Common Questions
Where are you? What are your hours? How can I contact you?
We’re located at 23950 N. Patuxent Beach Rd, California, MD 20619. Call (443) 295-3225 or visit www.SoMdDivers.com.
Our shop hours:
Winter Hours - Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat - 11AM-5PM
Summer Hours - Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat - 10AM-6PM
Summer Hours - Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat - 10AM-6PM
How do I get started with SCUBA?
The PADI Open Water Diver course is your entry point into the world of scuba diving. Southern Maryland Divers trains new divers from across the Mid-Atlantic with a focus on confidence, control, and real-world diving skills—not rushed certifications. Read more about it HERE
What do I bring? What is included?
Personal gear like mask, snorkel, fins, and boots are required purchases for comfort and fit. We’ll help you select appropriate gear in our shop to ensure you're comfortable during your training.
More expensive items like the regulator, BCD, tank, and wetsuit are included as no cost rentals for your Open Water Class.
Do you have rental gear? How much does it cost? Are there requirements?
At Southern Maryland Divers, we offer a complete lineup of scuba gear and tank rentals for recreational, advanced, and technical divers. All rental equipment is professionally maintained, routinely serviced, and inspected so you can dive with confidence.
All details on costs, requirements, and availability can be found on our comprehensive rental page HERE
Do you offer Air fills? Nitrox? Technical? What are turn around times?
From recreational Air fills to advanced Nitrox, Trimix, and oxygen, every blend is performed by certified Gas Blender Instructors following strict safety and quality standards. When you fill your tanks with us, you know exactly what you’re breathing.
Full details on what's available, pricing, turn around times on custom blends, as well as requirements can be found HERE
Do you offer cylinder VIP and Hydrostatic testing? What are turn around times?
We perform professional tank inspections, cleanings, and hydrostatic testing with fast turnaround times so you’re not sidelined from diving longer than necessary. Full information to include pricing, services, and turn around times can be found HERE.
Do you service equipment? What are the turn around times? Do you service my brand?
Our certified technicians service all makes and models of regulators and BCDs, using manufacturer-approved parts and procedures. When you drop your gear off with us, you’re trusting professionals who dive, teach, and service equipment every day.
While turn around times are dynamic, we strive to meet our minimums which can be found on our service page along with pricing and brands we service.
Do you take returns or exchanges?
We want you to love your gear. If something isn’t right, we’ll make it right—within reason and within water.
Our returns and exchange policy can be found HERE
What is your trip deposit refund policy?
Because trips and travel are unique for reach trip taken, the deposit and refund policies are spelled out on each trips web page description. Unless otherwise specified as above, our policy can be found HERE
Do you serve MD/DC/VA/DE?
Southern Maryland Divers is a full-service scuba gear shop serving divers across Maryland, Washington DC, Northern Virginia, and Delaware. We offer expert guidance, professional gear fitting, certified equipment service, and a complete selection of scuba diving gear for recreational, advanced, and technical divers.
Whether you’re purchasing your first set of scuba equipment or upgrading life-support gear, our dive shop provides hands-on support and trusted brands that online retailers simply can’t match.