Scuba Diving - Beginner's Guide to Basic Open Water Training

Entry into the world of scuba diving commences with extensive basic scuba diving training at the hands of qualified diving instructors from a PADI or NAUI affiliated diving school. Training could stretch from a few days to as much as 11 weeks; although a lengthier duration is much preferred to give the beginner ample time to be comfortable underwater; to become adept with scuba equipment use and of course to master basic diving skills before these acquired abilities are tested in the open water.

Requirements. As a prerequisite to enrollment in foremost scuba diving schools, the participant should be at least 15 years old where divers below the age of 18 are admitted only after securing parental consent. Divers below 15 years old can participate in a junior open water course. Meanwhile, health is another primary requisite and only those who fit the medical bill - based on a questionnaire and a medical certification endorsed by a physician, are admitted into the course.

Classroom Training. All the theoretical aspects of scuba diving will be discussed and learned through classroom instruction at a duration of up to 9 weeks. Classroom training will cover various topics which includes basic diving techniques, safety parameters to diving, selection and maintenance of scuba equipment, physiological implications of a dive, dive planning and a preview of basic diving skills. Participants will also be given homework and exams after each session.

Pool Sessions. Integrated with classroom instruction are hands-on skills trainings that are conducted in a swimming pool. In most instances, two-thirds of a regular session (classroom + pool) are dedicated to pool training where the beginner is endeavored to try out the diving skills previewed from classroom sessions; to simulate open water conditions and master pertinent diving skills including swimming, mask removal, buoyancy skills, scuba equipment handling and emergency troubleshooting skills.

Examinations. Before heading out to test their skills in open water, beginners are required to take written examinations. Coverage of the final examinations include all the learnings acquired during the 9 week training where students are quizzed on theories, application of decompression tables and hand signals. To obtain certification, a minimum rating is required for the theories section while students should get perfect marks on the dive tables and hand signals segment of the exams.

Open Water Training. Following the conduct of extensive classroom and pool training, as well as passing the final examinations, newly-certified scuba divers are summoned to test their acquired basic scuba diving skills in open water on a scheduled weekend. Together with the instructor or a dive master, neophyte scuba divers will get a first hand experience of an open water dive at recreational depths. At this stage, diving skills are evaluated with the overall intent of improving diver performance and getting them at ease with scuba equipment operation.

Scuba Diving - A Beginner's Guide

The idea of scuba diving conveys a sense of wonder and exhilaration to divers and non-divers alike. Just thinking about that deep blue ocean filled with amazing coral architecture, colorful marine life and new discoveries unfamiliar to us terrestrial beings is definitely an experience of a lifetime. The challenge now is where and how to begin with that dreamed about underwater sabbatical.

Getting into scuba diving as a form of recreation or as an occupation requires the mastery of standard diving skills, entry-level diving experience and of course practical knowledge on safety and equipment use before a diver certification can be issued by a PADI-affiliated diving school or organization. Find below a checklist of things to do that would help you get started on your ocean adventure.

Enroll at a local scuba diving school. Check your local directories for listings or ads featuring diving lessons and how you will be able to obtain an open water (OW) certification . A certification gives you the authority to dive alone or with a divemaster at a depth of up to 60 feet for a basic OW certificate.

Shop around for scuba equipment. Once you've been issued with a certification and now intending to pursue frequent dives, it would be practical to purchase a few, if not an entire set of scuba gear than rent diving equipment each time you dive. You will definitely need the following:

* Scuba mask. Choose one that provides an excellent field of vision and something that fits your face very well. As much as possible, get a mask that is outfitted with a comfortable, flexible strap.
* Snorkels are used to help the diver breathe when dallying close to the surface, particularly on a pre-dive. This device will help conserve compressed air in the cylinder tank and preserve it for use at the depths.
* Wet Suits are available as one or two-piece items. Make sure that it fits your body snuggly to give you better insulation and protection on those dives.
* Swim fins are essential accessories that provide better mobility underwater.
* Scuba booties insulates and protects your feet in varying underwater temperatures. Make sure that it fits well with your swim fins!
* Regulators (First and Second Stage) refer to a set of devices connected to the valves of the cylinder tank that converts compressed air into a breathable one when the diver breathes into the mouthpiece of the second stage regulator.
* Buoyancy Compensators are inflated through the hose of the first stage regulator and is worn to support diver buoyancy underwater and aid his vertical movements as well.
* A Pressure Gauge connected to the first stage regulator allows the diver to check the volume of air available in the tank.
* Cylinder Belts help offset the buoyancy of a diver in relation to other scuba equipment
* Cylinder Tanks are filled with compressed, high pressure atmospheric air (and not just oxygen) that is much needed for underwater breathing.

Scuba Diving Wetsuit Guide

Buying a wetsuit can be somewhat confusing. There are many different styles, thicknesses, qualities and price ranges to choose from. Trying on a wetsuit isn't the most fun thing to do in the world either. However, it is a necessary evil if you want to keep warm on your dive. So with that in mind, here are the items you should look for when buying a wetsuit:

* Style - The first thing you will have to decide is what style of wetsuit do you want. Do you want a full wet suit or a shortie (has short arms (usually) and legs that end just above the knee)? Do you want a farmer john or jane (a two piece suit - one piece has long legs with a sleeveless top; it is usually worn with a covering jacket)? Do you need a hood? A shortie is for warm water diving and is what I wear when I need more than a skin (mine is 2mm). It does leave your arms and legs exposed to the water so you have to decide if it will be warm enough for you. A full scuba diving wet suit is probably the most common/popular and is what I see the most while diving in the Caribbean. This style is one piece and has long arms and legs. Buying a wetsuit hood is not necessary (for most people) for diving in warm water. It is more for cold water diving. I can count on one hand the number of people I have seen wearing a hood while diving in the Caribbean.
* Thickness - The thickness is probably the most important factor that will determine your comfort underwater. Choose the thickness based on the type of water and diving you will be doing. For the Caribbean, a 3mm should be sufficient for most people.
* Quality of Construction - This will determine how long that scuba diving wet suit will last. Most importantly, you need to check the seams of the wet suit. The cheapest and least strong is a glued stitch. It will sometimes have a piece of glued tape over the seams which will help with comfort. While it is adequate, it will probably give out the quickest of all the seams. Another of the basic stitches found mostly in "bargain" and "cheap" wet suits is the over-lock stitch which joins the neoprene a the seam by stitching the edges together. The ridge is on the inside of the suit which can become uncomfortable. If this seam is stretched to its limit the seam may open up and let in some water. At the other extreme of construction quality, is the blind stitch. Here the material is first glued and then stitched on one side. However, the stitch doesn't pierce the material which would give an entry point for water. The same stitch is then done on the reverse side and interlocks with the first stitch. This gives the strongest seam. Of course, as you would guess, this type of construction is found on the more expensive scuba diving wet suit. In between, is the flatlock stitching which you will find in many warm water wet suits (mine included). The two pieces of neoprene overlap and are joined together. Unlike the over-lock stitch, the seam lays flat making it more comfortable for the diver. While water can sometimes seep through these seams when stretched, it will be much less than with an over-lock stitch. Taped seams, with any of these stitches, helps prevent water leaking through the seams. It also helps the comfort factor, making the scuba diving wet suit more comfortable against the skin.
* Neoprene - The type of neoprene your scuba diving wet suit is made of affects the quality of the suit and, of course the price. Scuba diving wetsuits are made of neoprene which is a synthetic rubber foam. The neoprene has thousands of tiny bubbles for insulation. The material is then typically laminated with a nylon based material. Once this elastic fabric dries, the neoprene becomes pliable and flexible. The type of neoprene your scuba diving wet suit is made of affects the quality of the suit and, of course the price. The highest quality neoprene is gas blown and made with thousands of little bubbles of nitrogen gas. While it will compress and eventually wear out like all neoprene, it is the most durable type of neoprene. A chemical blown wetsuit feels softer but will not be as durable.