ABOUT SCUBA DIVING

Learning Scuba Diving
Basics things you need to know about scuba diving

Scuba diving is swimming underwater using SCUBA - Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. Using a cylinder of compressed gas to breathe (usually air, but sometimes other gases), scuba divers can stay underwater much longer than would be possible by just holding their breath - for hours or even longer!

With the assistance of equipment such as scuba masks, breathing regulators, buoyancy devices, fins, and gauges scuba divers can explore the underwater world. Modern scuba diving is very safe and easy to learn. All basic skills can be learned in as little as three days.

Scuba diving is a sport that is practiced recreationally all around the world and can even be a profession. There are many diving jobs such as recreational divemaster and instructor, commercial diver, scientific diver, and military diver.

Why do people scuba dive?

For some it's the beauty of the reef and the marine life that inhabits it, for others it's the thrill of discovery deep inside a wreck or cave - everyone has a different reason for scuba diving, but most would agree that it's for the sheer enjoyment of experiencing the underwater world, a world so far removed from ours that it will truly amaze you. Whether you want to relax while photographing brightly colored tropical fish, be thrilled by the power and grace of a school of sharks, or make a living working underwater, scuba diving has it all.

Who can scuba dive?

The simple answer is - almost anyone. Scuba divers are aged from 8 years and over and come from all walks of life. Here are some basic considerations:

Age
Children as young at 8 years old can start diving with programs taught in the safety of shallow water and aimed specifically at young children. From the age of 10 years old children can be certified as Junior Open Water Divers and those 15 years and older can be certified as Open Water Divers. There are no upper age limits.

Health
You need to be in a state of good health. This doesn't mean you need to be super-fit, but you have to be free of any serious medical problems. You'll answer a medical questionnaire when you sign up for a course and if you or your instructor have any concerns you will be referred to a medical doctor for assessment. You will also need to be able to swim and float or tread water.

Disabilities
Scuba diving is accessible to people with physical disabilities. Many instructors are trained to provide courses tailored to physically challenged divers and there are diving societies whose primary goal is to facilitate and promote diving for physically challenged people.
What types of scuba diving are there?

There are many types of scuba diving which means there's always something new to do and see. Here is the most popular type:

Recreational
Most divers are recreational divers and this is the form of diving that is devoted to having fun. Some divers love looking at fish and coral, but there are also many specialized areas of scuba diving. After Open Water certification you can complete courses in all sorts of specialties including, but not limited to: night diving, wreck diving, deep diving, navigation, fish identification, underwater naturalism, photography, videography, cave diving, ice diving, altitude diving, and rescue diving.

ABOUT SCUBA DIVING

Basics things you need to know about scuba diving.

Why do people scuba dive?

Who can scuba dive?

DISCOVER SCUBA DIVING

Learn to Dive, Interested in learning to dive?

What is Discover Scuba Diving?

Who can enroll?

How long does the program take?

What do I have to do to complete the course?

OPEN WATER CERTIFICATION

What is the Open Water course?

Who can enroll?

What does the course qualify you to do?

How long does the course take?

What do I have to do to complete the course?

ADVANCED OPEN WATER CERTIFICATION

What is the Advanced Open Water course?

Who can enroll?

What does the course qualify you to do?

How long does the course take?

What do I have to do to complete the course?