Guide to Scuba Diving

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

2009-04-30T19:05:00.002-07:00

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

2009-04-30T19:05:00.001-07:00

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

2009-04-30T19:03:00.000-07:00

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.

Why join scuba diving forums?

2007-09-06T05:38:00.007-07:00

A person who loves the outdoors especially the waters should get a hobby that incorporates both environments. One such hobby that is a hit for both sexes and for all age groups is scuba diving.

Scuba diving isn't a hobby that one can just take on or go into without getting the necessary training and examination. For starters, prospective divers should know the basic swimming lessons. However, even the best swimmer in the world still has to undergo scuba diving training and make the grade.

One thing common to scuba divers is their love for nature and the bounties of the sea. But just like mountain climbers, scuba divers should make sure that when they dive, they take nothing but photos and leave nothing but footprints or its equivalent in diving lingo. This is to make sure that they preserve the underwater environment for future divers.

Scuba diving hasn't always been available as a hobby for ordinary people because of the constraints in going several feet underwater. Men aren't like fish that have gills and can breathe underwater so it took the invention of the scuba or the self contained underwater breathing apparatus in the 1930s before men were allowed to scuba dive.

Future scuba divers are urged to join organizations that can help them with their training and with safety methods in scuba diving. These organizations conduct regular check ups on the capabilities and efficiency of their scuba diving members so they at least meet the standards required by the hobby.

Scuba diving can be expensive so it is always best to join groups to minimize the costs. It is becoming a worldwide hobby so it easy to make contact with scuba divers in any part of the globe.

Scuba divers can also make contact with their counterparts all over the world by joining forums where they can ask questions, give out information or just simply exchange experiences with their colleagues.

Scuba diving is a niche group and most of the scuba divers in a certain area basically know everyone. It is important to join scuba diving forums to keep in touch with what everyone is doing in the scuba diving world.

A scuba diver who needs some equipment not available in his area can join a scuba diving forum and see if his fellow scuba divers can suggest where to purchase such equipment. Some scuba divers may also be selling their own equipment and where else to get such information than in scuba diving forums?

Essential Reminders for Your Scuba Diving Vacation

2007-09-06T05:38:00.005-07:00

So, you finally got your scuba diving certification and the next step for you is to go on a scuba diving vacation. The trip can definitely be an exciting one, however, you shouldn't forget about the importance of proper planning for this excursion. A scuba diving vacation is very much different from your normal trips. Thus it is important to be prepared for this kind of trip.

The primary consideration for you scuba diving vacation is the destination. You need to choose a good diving spot whose features are appropriate for your diving skills, budget, time, and preference. For ideas, consult a travel agent who is knowledgeable about diving. You may also check with a diving center for diving sites that will match your diving level. The internet is also a good source of worldwide information about such matters.

While the main objective of your vacation is to go scuba diving, this doesn't necessarily mean that you will spend the entire trip underwater. Majority of your vacation will still be spent on land and thus it is important to carefully arrange such matters. You would also not want to miss out on the breathtaking sights on the way to the waters. Thus you need to carefully plan the land-based details of your vacation.

Make a checklist of the things you need for the vacation from your flights to your scuba diving gear. If you are going on an international trip, be sure to arrange other important details such as your visa, vaccinations (if needed), currencies, and other matters. Research every detail of your vacation so you don't go empty-handed. Knowing about everything will decrease the likelihood of problems happening during the trip.

Here are other important tips for your scuba diving vacation:

- Set the dates for your vacation, but be flexible as there might things to change.
- Look around for good scuba diving vacation packages.
- mark you scuba diving equipment clearly so you can spot them easily.
- Get diving and travel insurance.
- Make several copies of your travel documents, keep one for yourself and give another to someone at home.
- Don't forget your medicines and first aid kit.
- Take important diving gear with you as carry on luggage.
- Check with your airline if they have restrictions about diving equipment.

With careful planning, you can ensure your enjoyment for your scuba diving vacation. Enjoy!

Essential Tips for a Scuba Diving Trip

2007-09-06T05:38:00.003-07:00

A scuba diving trip can definitely be a fun and exciting vacation. However careful planning should be done for this kind of excursion. A scuba diving trip is far more complicated than your regular sightseeing trips, especially if you plan to go scuba diving in another coast or country. So you should be a little more detailed about your planning for this kind of trip.

Perhaps the most important consideration for your scuba diving trip is your destination. You would of course want to go somewhere you can go diving – a site that fits your skill level, budget, time, and preferences. You have to achieve a good balance among these factors, and a good travel agent who knows about diving and great diving sites. You may also ask a diving center for recommendations of great scuba diving destinations for your trip.

Indeed, the main point of your trip is to go scuba diving but this doesn't mean that you can just leave out the land-based details of your trip. Normally, diving sites are surrounded by breathtaking sights and you wouldn't want to miss out on them since you are there anyway. You also wouldn't want to forget the details of your travel, otherwise, you might not get to your diving destination.

As you plan, keep a checklist of every detail that you will need for the trip from diving gear to your scuba certification. If you are planning to go out of the country, make sure that you have everything need – visas, information about local currencies, vaccinations, among other things. Do your homework and research about these things. Diving information is quite easy to come by these days with the help of the internet. You have to know everything you can to ensure that you don't experience problems during your trip.
Here are other things you need to remember for your scuba diving trip:
- Set your trip’s dates, but have some room for flexibility.
- Shop around for scuba diving trip packages. You can save a lot with a good deal.
- Mark you scuba diving gear well so that you can identify it easily.
- Buy a travel insurance that has considerations for diving.
- Make copies of your essential documents. Keep one for yourself and another copy with someone you trust back at home.
- Be sure to bring your medicines and prescriptions.
- Put the essential diving gear in your carry on luggage.
- Ask your airline about their restrictions for scuba diving equipment.

A scuba diving trip can be fun and exciting if you plan well.

Tips for Your First Scuba Diving Travel Adventure

2007-09-06T05:38:00.001-07:00

Perhaps you have already decided to take on your first ever scuba diving travel adventure and like any first-timer you are thrilled to the bone. However, it could also be predicted that you don't actually know what to expect. A scuba diving travel adventure is much more complicated than your normal excursion. Thus it is important to know certain essential matters before you go on your diving trip.

The primary decision you should make is probably the destination. Wherever you are going, it should fit your scuba diving level, your finances, time, and preferences. Those things are hard to balance, but with the help of a travel agent who is knowledgeable about diving, you can find an adventure spot that will be compatible to you. You can also benefit from asking a diving center as they would be glad to point out to you the great diving sites where you can start your scuba diving adventure.

When planning your scuba diving travel adventure you shouldn't leave out the non-diving aspects of your trip. Sure you are excited about going underwater, but there are many good sights to see on dry land, and you wouldn't want to miss them as well. Remember to have the right balance of wet and dry activities for your adventure.

Now before you forget, be sure to make a checklist of everything you need, from your scuba gear to your scuba diving certification. If you plan to dive out of the country, be sure to do your homework about travel requirements, local currencies, disease hazards, travel advisories. It is easy to get such information these days, thanks to the internet and you need to have these in check to make sure that your scuba diving adventure won't have problems.

Here are some important reminders for your scuba diving travel adventure:

1. Set your travel dates, but be flexible with them.
2. Shop for scuba diving travel packages that can save you money and effort.
3. Write your name and contact information on your scuba diving gear and mark it well for easy identification.
4. Get diving and travel insurance.
5. Have your important documents copied, keep one for yourself and another for somebody you trust at home.
6. Don't forget your medicines and their prescriptions.
7. Bring with you the essential scuba gear as carry on luggage.
8. Check with your airline about restrictions regarding scuba diving equipment.

A scuba diving travel adventure can be quite an exciting experience if you plan well.

Essential Scuba Diving Tips for Beginners

2007-09-06T05:37:00.003-07:00

Scuba diving is a very exciting and fun sport for different ages. However, you can't deny that it can also be a dangerous activity especially for beginners. Nevertheless if you know the essentials of scuba diving, you can ensure safety and enjoyment.

Here are some important scuba diving tips for beginners:

1. Never learn scuba diving on your own. Take diving lessons that lead to certification before you attempt scuba diving. There are many professional diving schools that can provide this.

2. Check with your doctor to see if you are fit for scuba diving. Be sure to undergo a swimming test before you take your lessons. As a beginner, you don't need to be a competitive swimmer but should at least know how to swim properly.

3. Dive only in waters which you are certified for. There are special certifications for diving under ice water, in underwater caves, and by shipwrecks. These dangerous forms of diving need special training.

4. Never go scuba diving alone. During your first dives, be sure that you aren't only accompanies by beginners.

5. Follow instruction carefully and listen to the dive group leader.

6. Each time you go scuba diving, check your equipment that everything is functioning properly. Also make sure that everything fits you well.

7. Check the weather conditions in the area where you plan to drive. Check with the local weather bureau if it is safe to dive. If you hear of a storm coming cancel your diving trip. Not only will you get wet on the way, lightning might hit the water and you could get struck.

8. Wear sun block before diving. Even if you are underwater, you can still get sunburned. And you wouldn't notice it because of the cool water.

9. Drink a lot of water whenever you are on the surface. Being surrounded by water doesn't mean that you body will get the water it needs. Many people get dehydrated while scuba diving.

10. Be aware of the symptoms and the signs of conditions such as heat exhaustion and hypothermia. Learn about the first aid treatment for these.

11. While going on the way to the diving site, be sure to protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses because the sunlight can be reflected by the water.

These are just general scuba diving tips for beginners. To know more about scuba diving, consult a licensed diving instructor.

Where to Go Scuba Diving in Thailand

2007-09-06T05:37:00.001-07:00

Thailand is among the most exciting countries to visit. It is world famous for its shopping places, elephant rides, naughty shows among other sites. Thailand also offers great scuba diving areas with its stunning Andaman Sea in the southern coasts, and the Similan Islands up further north.

The best months to go to Thailand is October until April because beyond that, the rainy season could ruin your scuba diving trip. Although if you insist to go diving from May to September, you can do so at the Gulf of Thailand on the eastern side but you may not see the same beautiful corals found on the its west coast.

Being a tropical country, the sea temperature in Thailand don't change as drastically as those in temperate regions. The average temperature is 28 degrees Celsius.

Here are some of Thailand’s most popular scuba diving sites:

Hin Mouang – this site is famous for its pelagic fish, making it among the most famous diving sites in Thailand. The site features breathtaking underwater peaks, large fish shoals, pretty carpets of anemone, gigantic corals, gorgonia, and other spectacular sights. This site is notorious, however, for its large bryazoan, which could impede your diving enjoyment.

Hin Daeng – this site is quite close to Hin Mouang and thus has similar features. The common creatures you would see here are morays, octopi, shrimps, crayfish, gray reef sharks, leopard sharks, and barracudas. There also some manta rays, whale sharks and nurse sharks if you are lucky.

Koh Kraden Wreck – this site just off Koh Kraden Island’s coast is famous or a sunken Japanese destroyer. Though the boat may not be recognizable, it has become a breeding ground for great flora and fauna. Expect to see sea horses, giant morays, soft corals, lion fish, and great schools of fish.

Koh Dok Mai – this site is very famous for night scuba diving. The great rocky island provides a very colorful view of small caves and huge caverns. There are many great lobsters, moray eels, leopard sharks, sea snakes in this diving site’s sloping reefs.

Breakfast Bend – this is one of the most famous sites in Similan Island, known for its turquoise and crystal clear water that allows great visibility of copious schools of fish. It is called breakfast bend because people usually take this as the first diving site, usually after breakfast. Expect to see leopard sharks, barracudas, surgeon fish, morays, trigger fish, scorpion fish, glass fish, emperor angelfish and other schools of fish.

Thailand is a great scuba diving site. Consider going there on your next diving trip.

Important Information about the Scuba Diving Tank

2007-09-06T05:36:00.007-07:00

Most people know what a scuba diving tank looks like, but only a few people actually know what it exactly is or how to use it. If you are interested about scuba diving, but don't really know much about this highly essential piece of equipment, you might want to read on.

Most people think that the scuba diving tank contains pure oxygen, but actually it doesn't. A scuba diving tank actually has around 21% oxygen and 79% nitrogen, which is rather similar to the air we breathe. In reality, if scuba diving tanks were filled with pure oxygen, they would be toxic when brought to shallow depths. And thus for recreational driving, compressed air is needed.

The typical recreational scuba diving tank is usually made of aluminum, holding about 80 cubic ft of compressed air. A scuba diving tank usually is two feet high, with a diameter of ½ foot. Normally, scuba diving tanks are filled with at least 2000 psi and at the most 3000 psi of gas pressure. To maintain quality standards, scuba diving tanks are monitored by the US Department of Transportation.

Using a scuba diving tank isn't that difficult, here are some reminders:

1. Have the scuba diving tank filled by a reputable diving shop.
2. Check if the intake pipe of the shop’s compressor is in an area with clear and fresh air. Chose another shop if it is placed somewhere there are fumes which could get inside the pump.
3. Don't ever leave the scuba diving tank inside a parked car because heat could cause it to expand and explode.
4. When traveling, store the tank in the car trunk, with the valve facing the passengers. In case the valve gets damage, the tank will be propelled away from the passengers.
5. Before using the tank, remove its rubber valve protector and check its O-ring. If it is damaged or missing, replace it.
6. Attach a buoyancy compensator on the tank’s body.
7. Attach the first stage of your regulator on the scuba diving tank’s valve.
8. Turn the valve’s knob counterclockwise to open it and then turn it back for a half turn.
9. Take note of the tank’s pressure by checking the gauges.
10. As you scuba dive, always check on the tank’s remaining air pressure.
11. Stop scuba diving way beyond the tank’s minimum pressure point.
12. After you dive, remove all the attachments from the tank and store them in a cool area.

Managing a scuba diving tank is easy if you know what you have to do. Enjoy scuba diving!

Shopping for Equipment at the Scuba Diving Shop

2007-09-06T05:36:00.005-07:00

Scuba diving is one of the best ways to see the beauty of nature. You will get to see the vastness of the ocean and the various species of plant and animal life that is impossible to find on land.

Some people are content to go snorkeling on the surface of the water. But those who love to see it up close and personal have to go deeper and this can only be done by using the proper equipment.

The equipment needed here will be a wetsuit, an octopus, a buoyancy vest, fins, goggles and an oxygen tank.. While it is true that the diver can rent this equipment at the resort, those who do this often prefer to get a customized set that can be bought at the scuba diving shop.

Some of these shops can be found in the mall while there are free standing shops located near the beach. Most of these establishments are certified by the various diving schools and the sales clerks who are working there are licensed divers.

Upon entering the diving shop, it will be a good idea to see the various brands that are available. Since wetsuits come in different sizes, it will be a good idea to try a few on but if the customer doesn't like the fit, it is also possible to have one made custom fit to one’s body.

The sales clerk will just have to get the measurements so the request can be made and finished in about a week.

As for the other gear, the customer will just have to check each of these out and then just buy the one that is the most comfortable to use.

You don't have to buy one if the price is too expensive. You can also check out other outlets in the area or wait till they go on sale to be able to get some good bargains.

Another way to check on the available models before going into the scuba diving shop will be to subscribe or to buy a magazine. It usually features the different gadgets being used comparing one with the other making sure you get the best equipment to be able to enjoy the beautiful sights underwater.

It isn't that hard to buy the right equipment. The challenging part for you will be to find the right diving shop to go that can offer these at reasonable prices.

A Few Things People Will Learn at Scuba Diving School

2007-09-06T05:36:00.003-07:00

Ever been to Sea World and wondered what it would be like to swim with the dolphins? What about seeing how these creatures live in the wild? This can be done by renting or buying the proper gear and then heading off to a beach resort.

Upon arriving at the beach resort, the one in charge of the diving activities will probably ask if you have a license to engage in such an activity. Those that do won’t have any problems but those that don’t will first have to enroll in a safety-training course.

Why is it important to get certified? This is to prevent accidents from happening, which in some cases can be fatal.

Where can you get a scuba diving license? It is a good thing that most beach resorts have an area that can teach new beginners about this activity. It is also possible to get a certification from the youth center or the community college if this is being offered.

Organizations such as PADI, NAUI and SSI, which are some of the best in the world, have also set up scuba diving schools for beginners and those who want to advance to the next level.

Certification comes in two parts. First is the practical, which is knowing how to use the equipment in and out of the water. The second involves passing some written exams to make sure this is drilled into the student’s head.

The scuba diving school can also accept a student aged 15 and above. Those who are younger are prohibited given that the body isn't able to carry the weight of the gear strapped on the diver’s back.

Most lessons begin with the instructor asking if the person knows how to swim. It doesn't matter if the student doesn't have perfect technique. The most important thing is that you are able to stay afloat in the water.

If this isn't a problem, the instructor can begin the lesson by teaching the different types of equipment used in scuba diving. These include the mask, snorkel, wetsuit, buoyancy vest, oxygen tank and fins.

The lessons in the scuba diving school will be done both on land and in the water. It is only after the student has mastered everything that the instructor will hand out the license to the person to become a licensed open water diver.

Tips To Be Able to Scuba Dive Safely

2007-09-06T05:36:00.001-07:00

There are many activities that you can do to be able to have some fun. Those who love nature can go hiking in the forest or climb a mountain. But for those who love the water, nothing beats going scuba diving.

Going underwater isn't just putting on a wetsuit and then jumping off the boat. Given that there are some dangers, here are some useful tips that are strictly enforced especially when taking a vacation in a private resort.

1. Those who love to rent the scuba diving equipment should be licensed to do so. This means presenting a plastic card certifying this before being able to proceed with the transaction.

Scuba diving isn't just for experienced divers. Most resorts conduct classes for beginners who can certify a beginner after a few days of training. Most of the lessons will be done in a pool so the progress of the student can be monitored in a controlled environment.

2. Going underwater and seeing the coral reef is different than going for a drive to the mall. This is because the person isn't familiar with the territory, which makes it important to always stay close with the group or the dive master.

3. Before diving from the boat, divers should always check the equipment. There are people who prepare the equipment but you should double check to make sure the oxygen gauge is full, the zippers and the locks on the wetsuit and the fins are working and the goggles aren't foggy.

People who do not check on the equipment will have to surface immediately ahead of the others thus ruining the underwater adventure.

4. Another safety tip is for you to learn the basic signs used underwater. These are usually done using sign language, which is the only way to communicate given that it is difficult to talk with a mouthpiece on.

5. The most important tip for scuba diving especially for beginners and experienced divers is to always go in the water with a partner. Studies have shown going in pairs increases the chances of being rescued in the event of an emergency.

Scuba diving is a lot of fun. By learning the basics, you will be able to enjoy the adventure over and over again in different dive spots across the country to see something different that is better than what Sea World has to offer.

Gathering the Best Scuba Diving Resources

2007-09-06T05:35:00.007-07:00

Scuba diving is definitely one experience you don't want to miss in this lifetime.

It is fun and full of adventure. It lets you explore the beauty and magnificence of the underwater world.

At the same time it also allows you to get in touch with your senses and spirituality. This meaningful experience may be something a restless person might need.

No wonder many people are doing the best they can to do this activity despite their busy schedule and lifestyle.

As such, if you do decide to pursue the activity yourself, you must secure only the best scuba diving resources.

Looking for the Best Scuba Diving Resources

Having the right diving resources at hand will definitely help you in maximizing the oppportunity. It is one way to ensure that everything will go well as planned.

Here are some of the resources that you have to keep at hand.

1.Travel Agency

A travel agency is a helpful resource as it can aid in finding the most efficient means of traveling to points where you desire to explore the underwater.

It can also connect you to certain resorts and offer packages that will be friendly to your budget and schedule.

2.Scuba Diving Resort

The scuba diving resort as your destination must be carefully considered too. There are many bodies of water out there where people can do diving. Make sure that your chosen resort will lead you to the experience you are expecting.

3.Scuba Diving Equipment

As to the scuba diving equipment, most beginners don't need to buy these. As a rule, the equipment can be rented out from the diving resorts.

However, make sure that you have resources such as rental shops in your point of destination. You don't want to end up frustrated with the whole experience because you are short of the material equipment.

4.Scuba Diving Lessons

Of course, you must also secure that you get the proper lessons and training before you immerse yourself in the water.

Scuba diving lessons are a must especially for a beginner. The success of the whole scuba diving endeavor will definitely depend on how well you are prepared before the actual experience.

5.Scuba Diving Guide

A guide is indispensable to any scuba diving activity. Beginners and hobbyists alike have to depend on a guide who is familiar with the different courses and curves underwater.

The guide will also know the places to go so that you will definitely experience the beauty of nature.

Conclusion

Secure the right resources for this endeavor to make sure that things will go as planned. Give your time and effort on these details. You will surely love the result once you immerse yourself.

Scouting for a Great Scuba Diving Resort

2007-09-06T05:35:00.005-07:00

The hype over scuba diving never goes away. Every time this activity is suggested, it always sparks a certain interest that has to be considered.

You and your friends definitely have to consider this option. Nothing compares to the chance of being able to explore the underwater world and know what it feels like to be swimming with the fish.

This is one way of getting closer to nature like you have never done before.

However, some people never end up doing the scuba diving activity despite the number of times dedicated on planning.

Most of them never go beyond the starting point. Most people don't know where the first place to go to ensure an unforgettable experience.

This shouldn't really be a problem. There are options out there as provided by the technology and the resort owners that will allow you to find the perfect place to start the adventure.

All you will need is to look for the best resort that can respond to your scuba diving needs and requirements.

How to Find the Right Scuba Diving Resort?

If you think you are still clueless when it comes to finding the perfect resort, here are some tips and points to consider.

1.Do Your Own Canvassing

Scuba diving resorts can easily be inquired in your nearest travel agency. However, if you aren't satisfied, you can do your own search.

The internet is a good place to check out various locations of the diving resorts. You can view pictures and read comments of other people.

2.Where Do People Go for Scuba Diving

After searching the market for some offers, you may wonder that the destinations will actually vary. Not all scuba diving resorts will bring you to an ocean as diving can be done in various places.

Scuba diving can be done in bodies of water like seas, lakes, rivers, oceans, and even in springs.

3.Evaluate the Offers

The various offers that resorts may give you must be evaluated with your necessities as a beginner and your expectations as a nature lover.

One resort can have wonderful sceneries but they may lack the detailed assistance a beginner will need. So just factor in your needs with your expectations and you will end up fine.

Conclusion

The scuba diving activity is good for your body, senses and your soul. So give your time and effort to find the perfect diving resort to satisfy your expectations.

Grab the Best Scuba Diving Package

2007-09-06T05:35:00.003-07:00

There are wonders in the world that can only be explored underwater. As such, one has to take extra lengths to be able to see these magnificent creations.

Scuba diving is the most effective means for an individual to enjoy these wonders.

The Scuba Diving Activity

Scuba diving is a hobby for some people. To a few, it can even entail a lifestyle. However, there are sill lots of people out there who see this as a very extraordinary event that can only happen once in a blue moon.

There are still people who are overwhelmed by the idea. They immediately think of the expenses and difficulties without even trying.

If you think the same too, then think again.

Today, all you really need to enjoy this leisure activity is to find a good scuba diving package.

Grabbing the Best Scuba Diving Package

Scuba diving packages allow people to enjoy the benefits of scuba without worrying about a single detail. Just go there and everything will be taken care of.

To beginners, finding a scuba diving package can definitely help in making sure that you are assisted throughout the way and supplied with everything needed.

To the hobbyist, the package can allow him or her to explore new places at a fixed or reduced prices.

Here are some tips to find the right package.

1.Ask friends and relatives for any suggestions and recommendations. They may have received a good package and want to share it with you.

2.Check online for resources. There are more than a thousand web sites online dedicated to providing scuba diving packages. They can give good choices of locations and prices.

3.Inquire on the terms for every package that will be offered. Ask if there are additional fees or payments. The price may sound good at first but there might be too many added-ons eventually.

4.Schedule ahead of time whenever you get a package. There are offers that can get lower when you do it ahead of time. However, it can also get higher when it is peak season.

5.Be sure you are available on the date that you choose. This is to avoid any cancellations or forfeitures. The money can go to waste if you won't be able to go on your scheduled trip.

Conclusion

Finally and the most important note of all, the experience must be enjoyed well. Nothing compares to the wonders of the underwater so just enjoy it.

Learning How to Go Under from the Best Scuba Diving Organizations

2007-09-06T05:35:00.001-07:00

Even before man ventured into space, scientists and engineers had begun exploring the deep blue ocean. Explorers were sent in mini-submersibles or in watertight armor with some breathing equipment inside to see what lies beneath the water.

Nowadays, almost anyone can do the same thing. You will just need some diving equipment and certification from a scuba diving organization.

There are three major organizations known throughout the world.

The first is called PADI or the Professional Association of Diving Instructors. Established in 1967, it continues to be a pioneer in teaching new and experienced divers new techniques about underwater exploration.

A student as young as 10 can be allowed to take a basic certification course before being able to move up to the next level. This scuba diving organization boasts to having issued almost a million licenses every year to adventure seeking enthusiasts around the world.

The second is known as NAUI or the National Association of Underwater Instructors. This was established a few years before PADI existed which means it has been in the industry much longer offering more programs.

Some of these include night diving, nitrox, search and recovery, scuba rescue, skin and diving. A kid as young as 8 can start learning the basics and then move up as he gets older.

The third is called SSI or Scuba Schools International. This was established a year after NAUI started operations. It has an official website with tie-ups with different resorts and schools around the world offering the same quality of education to beginners and experienced divers.

In any of the three diving organizations, the only way to move up to the next skill level will be by spending a certain number of hours underwater as well as taking written exams.

Should the student pass, the diver from basic will move up to silver or gold class. The names for the various levels is different and those with a lot of experience can even become a dive masters to also teach beginners about this adventure sport.

Is one scuba diving organization better than the other? The answer is no because each of the three offers the student a similar program allowing the individual to appreciate the wonders of the ocean.

The individual will just have to think which one is the closest to the resort or where one resides to begin the adventure of seeing life under the sea.

Scuba Diving in the Island of Maui

2007-09-06T05:34:00.007-07:00

A few miles west of Los Angeles, are the group of tiny islands known as Hawaii. Here, tourists can enjoy the white sands, the volcanoes, the surf and life under the water. This is because Maui is considered to be one of the best dive spots in the world.

What does it mean to be one of the best dive spots? This means the place has a diverse collection of plant and animal life. The person can also see some species of fish that aren't found anywhere else in the world.

This all begins by booking a flight to this tiny little island and then making arrangements with the resorts to go diving. Those who are licensed can hire a boat while those who aren't yet certified can enroll in a basic course.

Most resorts are certified by SSI, NADI or PADI so the person can be assured of the quality of education provided by the dive master. The individual can even rent the gear, which isn't that expensive so there isn't as much gear to carry from the mainland to the island.

Since most of the hotels are nestled by the beach, after getting the equipment, you can hit the water.

Of course, there are other places worth seeing such as the Molokini Marine Reserve that is an island volcano located a few miles from Maui. A boat can be charted to head off to this distant island or others to be able to catch a dolphin, an eel or even a sea turtle.

Those who want to try something different can even engage in night diving. Holding a flare in the hand, you may get to see some animals sleeping peacefully which is impossible to do during the daytime.

The rates for diving vary at each resort. The customer can check online or have the travel agent make the inquiry when planning the details for the trip. When everything is set, the only thing to do is pick the equipment from the dive shop and then go down into the ocean to take a glimpse of the beauty from the deep.

Diving enthusiasts should check out the various dive spots near the island of Maui to experience the beauty of the surroundings instead of relying of photographs or reviews found in a magazine.

Reading Up About Life Under the Water from A Scuba Diving Magazine

2007-09-06T05:34:00.005-07:00

More than two thirds of the planet are water. This means even if humans have occupied much of the Earth’s land area, the vast ocean has not yet been colonized with just oilrigs extracting this precious fuel.

But surely, the person has seen the beautiful white sands and the crystal clear waters in magazines and on television. Americans can fly to Mexico or the Bahamas to get a good look but beyond that, it is another world.

This is the reason many people both beginners and experienced continue to venture out there to see what it has to offer.

But you don't have to see it by getting a license if it is too expensive to enroll in a class or one is still too young. This is because certain publications have decided to send photographers down there and have it printed in scuba diving magazines for everyone to enjoy.

What can people expect to see in a scuba diving magazine? Aside from pictures of fish and the corral reefs, the reader will be able to read articles on marine biology and reviews of some of the best dive spots in the world.

This can help the reader understand more about sharks, manta rays, whales and other creatures as well as the various plant life found at the bottom of the ocean.

The scuba diving magazine can also be used as a guide to plan the next diving trip to see it might even get someone who has never done it before into this adventure sport.

It also features various diving equipment especially those that have been introduced into the market offering something new and exciting to serious hobbyists.

The person can easily find a copy of a scuba diving magazine at their favorite newsstand or bookstore. The customer will be able to save a few dollars by subscribing and paying for it a year in advance so as not to miss out on new issues.

It is also possible to request some old issues if there was something printed that is considered to be interesting to the reader.

For those who want to learn how to scuba dive, there are also ads in the back so you will know which is the closest school to enroll in to get basic certification. You can even order equipment similar to how this is done over the Internet.

Best scuba diving locations in the world

2007-09-06T05:34:00.003-07:00

Scuba diving is a fun activity to do anywhere in the world. The following are some of the places you could go to when you want to engage in scuba diving.

West Indies Barbados

In this area of the planet, individualized scuba diving lessons is available as well as a dive that is tailor made.

Services Scuba One on One offer a unique scuba diving activity and experience that you won't forget.

Scuba diving in the Caribbean

The Caribbean is composed of little unique hotels as well as nature in all its unspoiled glory.

Some of the islands in the Caribbean that are amazing scuba diving areas is Rotan, Bay Islands, Guanaja, Belize, Mexico, among others.

Reservations are taken online.

Pacific Cook Islands

This scuba diving location is perfect as it is distant from the noisy hustle and bustle of scuba diving tourism. This paradise in the South Seas offers scuba diving experience that is unparalleled.

Diving in Cuba

Cuba is considered as one the islands that is largest in the beautiful Caribbean, although it is also considered as the country that is the poorest.

Diving in Cuba is therefore considered as one of the very affordable scuba diving locations in the Caribbean Islands.

The Quarry Gilboa

This scuba diving location is considered as one of the best scuba diving locations in Ohio. It is in this place where more than a hundred feet of deep water where Nitrox is available.

Believe it or not, underwater sites to be discovered include motorcycle, a vending Dr Pepper machine, cabin cruiser, rowboat, among others.

Also, more than twenty shaded and primitive sites are easily accessible to various scuba diving point entries.

Mabul and Sipadan Malaysia

This scuba diving location in Malaysia is comfortably situated in the Sea of Celebes.

Flower Gardens in Texas

Try not to be fooled by the name. Instead, picture yourself over a hundred miles from land and smack in the center of the Mexican gulf.

Though the ocean can be unforgiving, plus the weather could instantly turn foul and angry almost instantly, don't let these distractions stop you from engaging in scuba diving.

In this area lies what is considered as the wildest and beautiful scuba diving locations in the world.

Heads of coral are much bigger than conventional cars and can be found as well as manta rays, sharks and other fish species.

All in all, there are a lot of scuba diving locations that offer the best scuba diving adventures. Know what you like and dive into the fun.

Lessons in scuba diving you need to know

2007-09-06T05:34:00.001-07:00

Scuba diving is a fun activity to do, that is if you know what you are doing and how.

The following are brief scuba diving lessons which you could do to further make scuba diving an activity you enjoy and won't easily forget.

Scuba diving lessons in buoyancy

Controlling buoyancy when scuba diving is necessary. Once you are to descend, make sure that you add air to the BCD in bursts that are quick using low pressure button inflator.

Adding enough air is necessary in keeping your speed descent under firm control.

Also, during the descent, it is okay to take in deep breaths in order to halt your own descent.

Then, when the targeted depth is achieved, adding appropriate air is enough to be able to keep you buoyant neutrally while your own lungs are half filled with air.

Ascending is also easy via taking breaths in. Descending is meanwhile achieved by taking slow breaths out.

Breathing in a normal pattern also affects your own buoyancy. Make sure to make adjustments to your breathing so that you stay in the similar depth.

In doing so, you then discover that you will be able to keep air in your lungs less and so it stays in the neutral mode. You will then have to vent some air from the BCD in order to make adjustments to the new ocean depth.

As much as possible, try to remain buoyant neutrally through the whole dive. Also, make sure that you get to use bursts of short air, then give it time to take its own effect.
Remember that once air is added, you will then easily go to the water’s surface much quicker.

Also, make sure that you try not to hold your own breath when scuba diving.

Scuba diving in currents

Before engaging in scuba diving, it is best to first assess the pattern of the water currents. Make sure to ask the help of residents who are familiar with the water currents. Surfers and fishermen are the best people to ask.

When it is safe to get in or under the water, descend to the sea’s bottom where the water current may be milder.

Slowly streamline your own body in order for the reduction of water resistance. Then, slowly swim.

Make sure that you not swim against a current that is strong. Try to learn the drift diving technique from an instructor that is qualified.

All in all, scuba diving lessons help you achieve fun and safety, so take heed.

Scuba diving job facts

2007-09-06T05:33:00.005-07:00

First things first, the kind of scuba diving job one could have all depends on the certification level achieved by a particular diver, the particular kind of environment the scuba diver wants, and if it is scuba diving that he wants to do full time or something he could do for a specific season.

Scuba diving jobs for professionals

A professional in the field of scuba diving could lead various diving recreational excursions, own their scuba store equipment, assist in research in collecting scientific data, help in efforts involved in rescue or teach willing people on how to scuba dive.

Some of the places that are known popularly as diving destinations are Australia, the Carribean as well as Mexico.

The scuba diving certification

PADI or the Association of Professional Diving Instruction is an agency that is recognized internationally. They offer certificates for beginning divers. After which, divers could then step up to more difficult program scuba diving certifications.

Divers could get private open water diver certification, rescue diving certification, divemaster certification, scuba diving instructor certification, master instructor certification.

Believe it or not, every scuba diving certification is an opportunity for more scuba diving jobs. There are divers that specialize in a specific area, like diving deep in the sea as well as scuba underwater diving photography.

Diving skills could also be combined with ship sailing, or small business ownership.

Owning a small business such as a diving shop in a location that is near a coast or a beach is also a good job or career choice. Such a scuba diving job inherently combine equipment knowledge as well as good customer service.

Well-known scuba diving jobs

Some of the more known scuba diving jobs is being an instructor. These responsibilities involve the directing and conduction of courses for the public.

It also involves the teaching of how to properly use scuba diving equipment, safety when under the water, among others.

Scuba diving masters basically know how it is to navigate, check existing water conditions as well as assist various divers with the use of faulty scuba diving equipment.

Scuba diving jobs are also in demand in the oceanography field as well as marine biology.

All in all, there are many scuba diving jobs. It all depends on what it is you want to do and how you want to use your skills and scuba diving talents for the benefit of other people who want to engage in the same activity.

Lets go scuba diving in Hawaii!

2007-09-06T05:33:00.003-07:00

Aloha to everyone!

First things first, scuba diving is one of the foremost fun things one could do in Hawaii. Believe it or not, there are various diving companies, diving sites in and around Hawaii. All you have to do is open yourself up to the possibilities of fun and diving adventure.

Why dive in Hawaii?

The fact of the matter is that the chain of islands in Hawaii is basically made up of more than a hundred islands. The most famous of these islands are Kauai, Ni’ihau, Lanai, Molokai, Maui and Kahoolawe.

Hawaii is surrounded by the ocean and is specifically located about more than two thousand miles from the nearest continent.

It has been shown that more than twenty five percent of marine life is attributed to Hawaii.

Of the islands mentioned, the four islands that tourists most flock to are Maui, Oahu, Kauai as well as Hawaii.

These islands all have their own unique traits as well as diving locations.

The islands of Molokai, Lanai, Ni’ihau are actually less frequently dived yet they offer unique marine life.

These islands are recommended generally for divers that are advanced as well as intermediate levels.

If interested in going to Kahoolawe for diving, a charter diving boat is needed. However, there are other fun options one could do when you're not under the waves. Skydiving is one, visiting a luau is another.

You could also try going to one of the active volcano’s in the world. Or if you prefer, relaxing in a secluded and peaceful beach is also a good option.

Diving sites in Hawaii

Hawaii is a perfect place to go diving. Thanks to its warm and pristine waters.

Oahu is a diving site in Hawaii that has lava offshore formations as well as grottoes, shipwrecks and plane. It also carries large colorful schools of sea green turtles and fish.

Maui is another Hawaii scuba diving site that is located on the west coast and also offers excellent sites for diving for any level.

Kauai is also known for the pristine and rugged diving sites. The winter season makes it quite inaccessible for diving, however that isn't the case when summer comes.

Lanai is another diving site that is known for the lava formations it offers. The formations consist of nature-made ridges, archways, tunnels and pinnacles.

All in all, there are many Hawaii diving sites to choose from. It all depends on your preference and need. It is a guarantee though that scuba diving anywhere in Hawaii is an activity that is unforgettably fun.

Scuba diving in grand cayman here we come!

2007-09-06T05:33:00.001-07:00

Believe it or not, Grand Cayman has long been known as the premiere destination for scuba diving in the Caribbean. It is also considered as the best place in the world to do wall diving.

The fact of the matter is that Grand Cayman is three islands that are located in the underwater mountain tips and which rise towards the plain abyss thousands of meters below.

Nourished magnificently by clear water from the ocean, these ramparts found under the sea are covered by a carpet rich with sea life. Also, these offer the best underwater Caribbean visibility.

The Grand Cayman islands

A vertical line of walls each with equally spectacular rings of beauty describes Grand Cayman island at its best. These are composed of The Cayman Brac, Little Cayman, Grand Cayman.

Grand Cayman actually has more than a hundred sites for wall diving. All of the three islands offer a variety of tremendous diving drop-off experiences.

Thanks to the Grand Cayman’s geography, divers find the waters calm and protected regardless of any sea and wind conditions.

Besides the scuba diving walls, Grand Cayman’s attractions also include an encounter under the water with eagle rays. Creatures such as these have a tail that is extremely long as well as a pattern of distinctive spots that are bright on the top of their body part.

When scuba diving in the Grand Cayman, sightings of these creatures is a normal occurrence. Usually, scuba divers see these creatures casually cruising along the wall’s face or in the flats of sand just above the designated drop-off.

Safety when scuba diving

The Grand Cayman is just as concerned with safety as well as scuba diving fun. Basically, the Grand Cayman Watersports Islands Operators Association require that the duty of the operator watersport is to ensure safety of all divers, boat riders, snorkelers, as well as other participants while scuba diving in Grand Cayman.

Also, Grand Cayman assures that all individuals follow safe diving principles, training.
Professionalism is also needed when scuba diving.

Standards required by the Grand Cayman should be adhered to.

Also, when scuba diving, all snorkeling and scuba diving trips must have a kit for first aid as well as oxygen, stretcher, a two-way radio, dive flags, life vest, drinking water.

Take note that the diving maximum depth for scuba diving customers at Grand Cayman is 100 fsw. No one is allowed to go beyond the required depth.

All in all, scuba diving at Grand Cayman is fun, as long as you know what to do, how to do it and you keep yourself safe in the process.

Things you’ve always wanted to know about scuba diving gears but were afraid to ask

2007-09-06T05:32:00.007-07:00

First things first, scuba diving gear is necessary in order to make it possible for one to go scuba diving.

For a diver to be able to enjoy all there is to enjoy in this activity, he should be able to understand the process of scuba diving. Doing so makes it possible for anyone to feel really confident when underwater.

Get a certification

Basically, to be able to know all the details when it comes to scuba diving, a certification on scuba diving is needed.

This certification allows one to undergo training. The lessons presented in this certification scuba diving course is devoted to scuba diving gear.

The essentials of assembling a scuba diving gear as well as how to appropriately use this gear in a responsible and safe manner is presented.

Be wary and cautious though since there may be certifications available which don't allot appropriate time to explain all there is necessary in the selection of the correct scuba diving gear.

The following are tips and advice in order to choose the correct scuba diving gear that is appropriate for your preference and need.

Scuba diving gear essentials

A scuba mask gear is vital for scuba diving. Though there are scuba diving gears that could be rented, a scuba mask needs to be personal and so should fit you perfectly.

Diving shops don't rent out such items. A scuba mask should always be bought.

Scuba diving gear booties is also an essential scuba diving gear. The same goes for scuba diving gear swimming fins, scuba diving gear weights, scuba diving gear belts, as well as scuba diving gear snorkels.

Although a seasoned and an experienced diver would want to eventually choose a scuba diving gear that will be personally used by him in a more regular manner, a scuba diving gear wet suit is therefore an essential.

Wet suits actually come in many various styles, thickness, shapes as well as sizes. It is always better to have your own scuba diving gear wet suit in order to avoid actually having to rent.

A scuba diving gear wet suit could be easily owned and fit just as nicely. Essentially, this wet suit should be warm and comfortable as well as easy to move in.

All in all, scuba diving gear come in hundreds of styles. Also, there are numerous gadgets and gears that accompany today’s scuba diving gear outfits. The choice is yours.

Why scuba diving in Florida is always the best

2007-09-06T05:32:00.005-07:00

Scuba diving is a popular outdoor hobby and every scuba diver who has a passion for diving will always be on the lookout for scuba diving areas anywhere in the world.

No less than seventy percent of the earth is made up of water so one can imagine the vast amount of water areas where scuba diving enthusiasts can go and enjoy diving.

A scuba diving hobby is especially suited for those who have the time and perhaps the extra money to go around the world looking for the best scuba diving spots.

There are a lot of virgin waters all over the world that are good areas for scuba diving. Some of these areas have never been explored and discovered while some have remained a favorite scuba diving destination for most people all over the world.

One area that has become so popular among scuba divers because of its serenity and bountiful underwater resources is the Florida Keys in North America. Scuba divers wouldn't want to miss an opportunity to dive in the Florida Keys which consists of islands along Miami.

A diver who wants to try scuba diving in the Florida Keys can easily access the area from Miami. Hop in and enjoy a 45-minute ride and the diver is on his way to a great scuba diving trip in the Florida Keys. If he is unfamiliar with the area, he should stop by Key Largo and choose from a variety of operators doing the scuba route.

Florida Keys is a great area for scuba diving because there are numerous sites to choose from, both for the beginner to the advanced scuba divers. Beginners can go to Molasses Reef and feast their eyes on the healthiest coral reefs and schools of fishes in the area. Those who wish to do scuba diving along wreck sites can visit Benwood while the more advanced divers can go to the deeper diving sites in the area.

Advanced scuba divers should take note of the Spiegel grove and Duane, ships that were sunk for the enjoyment of scuba divers. Not only that. Scuba divers who want to get more training should visit Florida as it offers a variety of diving lessons for the hobbyists and the serious divers.

Diving is perhaps one of the best hobbies because a person gets to commune with underwater creatures at a closer range. The underwater scenes will always be heavenly especially for those who love the marine world. And all of these are present in Florida.

Why get a scuba diving first aid kit?

2007-09-06T05:32:00.003-07:00

Some people find it exciting to feel their heart beat and their adrenaline rush as they step on the gas pedal with a speed of 150 miles per hour. This goes for those who love racing. But there are people who prefer to enjoy the silence of the underwater and being one with nature and its swimming inhabitants through scuba diving.

Scuba diving is becoming popular among all age groups who want to experience the serenity of the waters. However, scuba diving isn't for everyone because aside from the love of any water surface, a scuba diver must also undergo scuba diving lessons and pass the tests as well.

The stringent requirements for scuba diving has been established because of the risks it involves. Scuba diving makes use of a breathing gear and other equipment to keep the diver safe while exploring the underwater depths. It is the equipment that makes it possible for a diver to stay safe underwater for a certain period of time because he doesn't rely on other equipment other than those he is carrying with him.

Divers are attired much like the fishes underwater, with fins on their feet and wearing scuba diving approved clothing wear to keep them conspicuous and agile underwater. Some divers explore underwater through the use of a scooter or a diver propulsion vehicle,

The word scuba actually stands for self contained underwater breathing apparatus, thus suggesting the equipment to be used by every scuba diver. A scuba diver is usually reliant on a gas tank from which he breathes in and breathes out while underwater.

Safety is the number one concern of every scuba diver because while they are underwater, they are alone and can't rely on anybody else to keep them safe. Thus, they have to make sure that aside from the required scuba equipment, they should also carry with them a scuba diving first aid kit.

First aid kits are universal but a scuba diver should keep the contents of his first aid kit compatible with possible accidents and injuries that can be encountered underwater. Thus, the contents of a scuba divers first aid kit should be carefully planned and thought of to make sure it responds to the needs of the diver.

Like most first aid kits, a scuba divers first aid kit should contain both cold packs to minimize pain from any injury as well as hot packs in case the diver gets a sting from any marine being.

Imagine every possible injury that can be experienced while scuba diving and make sure to equip the kit with the remedies for such injuries.

Looking for Scuba Diving E-Groups?

2007-09-06T05:32:00.001-07:00

What happens in scuba diving e-groups
Other than exchanging information and tips, the e-groups also alert members of news and events related to their chosen sport. They can also exchange reviews and opinions regarding diving instructions and schools. Some e-groups also organize many diving trips online, some of which are open only to members.

Another advantage of joining a scuba diving e-group is that members periodically announce sales of secondhand scuba gear and equipment. If you're looking to either sell or buy, e-groups provide a highly targeted market. If the e-group is sponsored by a bigger organization, members may even receive freebies and discounts ranging from gift certificates to scuba gear to diving vacations.

Some scuba diving clubs host message boards through their websites, often accessible only to members. It's a good idea to join these sites if you want to meet a few diver friends, exchange stories and find out about scuba diving activities in other locations.

If you have questions about diving instruction and certification, you can also ask members of your e-group for recommendations. You will have the confidence of knowing that your query will be answered by people who have actual experience in scuba diving.

E-groups can also provide you with firsthand information about undiscovered dive sites from sources around the world. You could send a message to a diver in the Maldives, Malta or Fiji and ask about diving conditions and dive spot recommendations – things you normally won't have easy access to. Meeting people and winning new friends isn't uncommon in scuba diving e-groups.

Finding a diving buddy is also an invaluable service from e-groups. Www.scubadiving.com is a website that offers a 'buddy finder' message board, along with a 'new diver' board for beginners. Another website worth checking out is www.scubaboard.com, which has over 500 dive forums. This site is also popular enough to allow you to communicate with over 65,000 divers. Opening an account is free and you'll have access to diving posts and personal photos from members from around the globe.

Another source for scuba diving e-groups is the Yahoo! Groups. It has diving e-groups from 17 countries including Malta, Australia, Turkey, Portugal, the Philippines and Turkey, which currently has the most number of e-groups.

Some of the e-groups from the U.S. are the Wet Gazette, the Dolphin Divers and Easy Diver (www.easy-diver.com). The Wet Gazette used to be an invitation-only diving e-group but has since opened its membership and changed its format to an E-zine group. The Dolphin Divers is a smaller group of weekend divers who post diving trip announcements online and provide information on training.

Scuba Diving in Cyprus

2007-09-06T05:31:00.003-07:00

Cyprus is a natural choice for scuba divers. An island of legendary beauty surrounded by warm waters, Cyprus enjoys year-round warmth that's ideal for vacations and diving trips. Cyprus is also blessed with calm, crystal clear waters where depth visibility can reach 30 meters.

Many diving centers in Cyprus have PADI-certified instructors, so you can be sure you're in good hands. While Greek is the official language, most of the population speaks English. Cyprus is easily accessible by plane via more than 30 airlines from most European countries.

Some of the most popular diving spots in Cyprus are located in the southeast part of the island, with 10-40 meters reefs and caves which is ideal either for neophytes or experienced scuba divers. Another popular place is in Latchi on the west coast. One of the most popular sites can also be found in the Akamas Peninsula.

The most famous dive site in Cyprus is the Zenobia wreck. The wreck is a Swedish ferry boat which sank in 1979 and can be found at a depth of about 18 meters. The Zenobia wreck is considered one of the top ten wreck dives in the world.

Other dive sites worth checking are the Roman Wall and the Lighthouse wreck. Centers who offer open water dives include the Amphorae Caves, the Vera K wreck and the Achilleas wreck in their itineraries. Other sites worth checking are those which are located in the beautiful Akamas Peninsula.

One of the best reasons to scuba dive in Cyprus is the diversity of its marine life. Fan worms, moray eels, groupers, red mullets, damsel fish, soldier fish are just a few of the marine life that could be encountered on a typical dive. Since Cyprus has a long history, it is also not uncommon to chance upon ancient amphorae and stone anchors that date back to 500 or 400 B.C.

Get in touch with some of the diving centers in Cyprus if you're going scuba diving. Here's a partial list to help you with your choice:

Scuba Diving and Diver Training Company (www.dive-in.com.cy) has five diving centers in Larnaca, Paphos and Limasol. This 20-year old diving and training center prefers smaller groups for more personalized attention.

Cyprus Scuba Diving & Water Sports (www.cyprusscubadiving.com) is located in Latchi and offers snorkeling, surfing, waterskiing and jetskiing aside from scuba diving.

Dive Point Diving Centre (www.divepointcyprus.co.uk) is a family-run diving center located in Kato Paphos.

Cydive (www.cydive.com) was established in Paphos in the 80s and is the first center in Cyprus to receive a 5-Star PADI IDC accreditation. Their itinerary includes more than 50 dive sites in one year and sometimes, 24 sites in one month.

Put More Adventure in Your Scuba Diving and Join Contests

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Scuba diving is a very exciting sport and recreational activity by itself. To put more fun and thrill, diving organizations and magazines regularly invite scuba diving enthusiasts to participate in contests that range from treasure hunting to photography to sweepstakes.

Joining these contests and competitions usually requires a membership or an upfront fee. Scuba diving contests are quite common in the diving community and have become a regular activity that has continuously attracted bigger followers.

Prizes
Aside from money, prizes can range from gift certificates to sponsored vacations. And these vacations aren’t too shabby, either. Overseas trips to tropical islands and popular diving sites are the usual top prizes, with airline tickets thrown in. If you're really lucky, your prize could also include a set of brand name diving gear to use during your trip.

Other groups, magazines and sites also give away some pretty good stuff. Scuba Diving magazine, for example, in partnership with Florida Keys puts up a SeaDoo Explorer Underwater Scooter as top prize for their 2006 Drive and Dive Sweepstakes. Contest sponsors also give away smaller prizes that range from gift certificates for free air-fills to discounts on diving gears and equipment.

Contests
For scuba diving contests, one of the top sites to check out is www.scubadiver.com. This site periodically sponsors contests and posts announcements on its website. Another site is www.divernet.com, which sends out contest announcements through newsletters to members.

Some dive groups like the NorthWest Diver (www.nwdiver.com), have a more varied approach to scuba diving adventures. Diving contests to retrieve prizes involve both freediving and snorkeling. Divers are put in deep pools or open water to retrieve tokens in exchange for scuba diving prizes.

Another popular contest is their Treasure Chest hunt, where divers will search for a sunken chest for a $1000. Other organizations also offer the same type of contest and prizes vary, depending on the sponsoring companies and size of the event.

Most competitions sponsored by major organizations involve underwater photography. Www.aquanaut.com, for example, sponsors sea and sea photography competitions. Underwater photography contests are also sponsored by www.cyberdiver.net and www.diveremporium.com.

Other clubs like the South Florida Underwater Photography Society (www.sfups.org) and Laguna Sea Dwellers Dive Club promote underwater photography as a hobby and an art to scuba divers who prefer to capture marine life and sceneries. Depending on club rules, photos may only be taken on site or submitted through a website for judging.

If you're looking for a tougher activity, Dolphin Divers of Sacramento, holds a regular Labor Day Spearfishing Contest. The club also offers annual underwater scavenger hunts to its members.

What to Expect When You Join a Scuba Diving Club

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Scuba diving clubs exist primarily to promote the recreation and sport of scuba diving and are important sources of diving information and tips. Scuba clubs also organize trips to dive sites most members have never been to and they always give their members a heads up about important diving events.

Scuba diving clubs are also a great way to meet fellow divers not just locally, but also from around the world. Joining a scuba diving club also means you'll have to be ready for some diving trips, both locally and overseas. It's not uncommon for dive clubs to pack its members and fly to Mexico or Fiji for a diving trip.

Joining a scuba diving club is a fun way to learn more about this sport, since most clubs offer trainings and certifications. A lot of scuba diving clubs accept members regardless of experience, so whether you're a newbie, a recreational diver or certified, you'll be welcome to join.

Membership dues
Dive club membership fees vary. Some can go for as low as $25 per person annually to as high as $400, while some don't charge a fee at all.

What you'll get as a member
If you sign in as a dive club member online, you'll receive diving club news, tips, contest announcements and group e-mails on a regular basis. You'll also be eligible to join online and offline contests and have access to the club's message group.

Another great thing about joining a dive club is that you'll expand your number of diver friends and you get to socialize with likeminded people. Dive clubs hold regular meetings and most of these include diving trips, which isn’t all that bad. Some clubs, like h2ohms – High Voltage Divers (www.h2ohms.com) in L.A., never have meetings, only diving trips.

If your main reason in taking up scuba diving is to take pictures, you might be interested to join the L.A. Underwater Photographic Society (http://LAUPS.org) or the Empire Scuba Dive (www.empirescubadive.com) and the San Diego Underwater Photographic Society (www.sdups.com).

Eco-awareness and charity are also big issues with many dive clubs. Some of them conduct several diving events every year to raise funds for non-profit and charitable organizations and to raise awareness on the environment.

For a comprehensive list of scuba diving clubs in the U.S., go to www.scubayellowpages.com, which lists clubs by state. For information and reviews about scuba diving clubs in your locality, log on to www.scubalinx.com and check out their Scuba Poll which evaluates divers, clubs and schools and ranks them according to ratings based on professionalism, service, safety, dive sites and eco-awareness.

Scuba Diving Lessons in New York

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There are plenty of scuba diving classes being offered in New York. If you're thinking of taking one, you might want to know several requirements first. Before going to scuba diving class, make sure you have the following:

Interest – while classes can be completed in a few days, training and getting a certification will require some homework. Most diving schools in New York require their students to complete assignments that include reading materials, videos and exams. If you don’t have the interest, you might just give up and waste your time and money.

Scuba diving gear – you could rent, of course. But if you want to make scuba diving a regular part of your recreation, better get the gear first. This is not a requirement, however. Most schools only require the students to bring a mask, snorkel and fins. They provide the rest of the gear.

Money – scuba diving classes are quite inexpensive and usually start at $250, which includes class and pool training and dive gear use. Most course materials aren't included in the fees.

Swimming skills – you need to be in reasonably good health and be a competent enough swimmer. Some trainings include floating and treading time and swimming 200 or 400 yards in a pool.

Age requirement – you should at least be 10 years old to take scuba diving lessons. If you want the PADI Open Water Diver course, you need to be at least 14.

If you fit the requirements for a New York scuba diving student, then you're ready to take lessons. In no particular order, here are some NY diving schools you might want to check out:

Empire Divers
www.empiredivers.com

Located in NY's Upper East Side, Empire Divers is a full-service PADI diving training center and dive shop. They offer PADI training certifications for all levels and have specialty classes in photography, nigh diving, deep diving and wreck diving, among others.

Adventure Scuba
www.adventurescubany.com

Adventure Scuba is a PADI authorized Five-Star Instructor Development Center. It holds pool time during Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and has a limited-sized class to allow more instructor-student interaction. They also offer a complete one-day training with their Executive Weekend Training course.

Pan Aqua
www.panaqua.com

Pan Aqua is a 25-year veteran in scuba training for all levels – from novice to instructor level. Like most NY scuba diving schools, they offer the PADI system. They train scuba diving students through class and pool sessions. They also offer open water training.

Village Divers
www.villagedivers.com

If you like smaller classes, you might want to check out Village Divers. They have an instructor-student limit of 1:4. This small dive shop offers both recreational and technical training.

Become a Certified Scuba Diver

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Has the thought of learning how to scuba dive crossed your mind? If it did, what are the questions you often ask? Who can become divers? What are the requirements to become a certified diver? Why do I have to learn to dive?

Well, first of all, in order to get an Open Water Diver Certification, you must be over 15 years old. Young adults ages 10 to 14 (10-14 for PADI and 12 to 14 for NAUI) can get the counterpart which is the Junior Open Water Diver Certification.

Before one can get certified, he must be in good, or better yet, excellent physical health. If you think that you aren't fit in scuba-diving terms, consult your doctor first.

Don’t worry. You don't have to be an Olympic-medal winning swimmer for you to get your certificate. As long as you know the basic skill – which is swimming then you’re good.

Now, the best way for one to learn how to dive and to get the certificate is registering at a reputable program. Most offer PADI and NAUI certifications. There are other agencies that include Scuba Schools International, PDIC and YMCA

Regard choosing the program like you are shopping for clothes. You can compare them. It is your right to do so. It is also important that you go for the instructor you feel most comfortable with and completely trust. He or she must be patient, supportive, thorough and clear. If you feel queasy being around an instructor, then don’t continue the lessons anymore. Scuba diving is a hazardous sport and you need the proper training in order to be safe and successful.

The duration of courses depend on how short and how long you want it to be. You can fix your schedule. If you’re as free as a bird, then voila, you can be a certified diver in just two weeks.

But for those who work and leisure time is an opportunity they have to seize, the average is two months.

Now the cost? Generally, scuba diving courses cost around $175 to $250 but every penny is worth it. That is because it includes books and rental equipment. If you are into the sport, you can shop for your own equipment. There are a wide variety of masks, snorkels, weights, fins, belts and boots to choose from.

As time progressed, you will learn other scuba skills such as underwater photography, wreck diving, deep diving and spear fishing. Look at this way: earth is two-thirds water. As a certified scuba diver, you can discover first-hand the beauty of marine life not a majority of people have the opportunity to see.

Bookmark Scuba Diving

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Thanks to the internet, a scuba diving enthusiast can peruse his monitor for a scuba diving book. By visiting sites, he can get summaries of a particular book and make the selection with just one click of the button.

At the moment, these are the best-selling books tackling the popular water sport scuba diving.

* Shadow Divers: The True Adventure of Two Americans Who Risked Everything to Solve One of the Last Mysteries of World War II
Author: Robert Kurson

It may be a long title and it doesn't necessarily tackle scuba diving but what makes this book a best seller is because it is based in real life. In 1991, two scuba divers discovered a sunken German U-boat along the New Jersey coast. 60 dead men were inside. It was a mystery so over the years, these two scuba divers turned discoverers identified the sunken U-boat and its crew.

* Deep, Dark and Dangerous: Adventures and Reflections on the Andrea Doria
Author: Gary Gentile

The reader can easily get engaged in the well narration of the deep compartments and dark passageways where danger lurks around the corner and death is just a breath away. The author recounts in full detail the slow and inevitable fall of the Andrea Doria. Andrea Doria is a ship that remained to be intact even upon sinking. She served as a time tunnel for scuba divers/explorers, transporting them to a time now extinct.

* Deep Diving: An Advanced Guide to Physiology, Procedures and Systems
Authors: Brett Gilliam, Robert von Maier, John Crea

First ever book to tackle sport diving in depth and allocate space for a the complicated medical concerns of scuba divers. There is a balanced view on the fascination as well as the hazards of scuba diving, assisted by extensive and factual chapters.

* Basic Cave Diving
Author: Sheck Exley

This scuba diving guide discusses the procedure when cave diving in Florida. It is an interesting read for cave divers. The author is the greatest cave-diving pioneer of all time, therefore making the book full of ideas and insight that can help the readers learn how to engage in the sport in a safe manner.

* The Technical Diving Handbook
Author: Gary Gentile

The sequel to the popular and successful Ultimate Wreck-Diving Guide, the author updates, expands and revises his original ideas in this book. Underwater explorers have found this book helpful. The Technical Diving Handbook is a must for extended range-divers. The chapters discuss each aspect of the sport to the technical diving details every diver must know.

Is there such a thing as Nude Scuba Diving?

2007-09-06T05:29:00.005-07:00

Many people find nature very relaxing, especially when they stay beside a body of water. Example, the singer Sarah McLachlan. She couldn’t imagine living away from the ocean.

Some water babies prefer scuba diving because it allows them to be closer to marine life. Diving underneath the deep recesses of the ocean allow them to witness first-hand coral reefs and underwater marine life such as dolphins and sharks.

But did you know that there is an alternative in the scuba diving sport we, normal people (those who are not into diving) are aware about. There is nude scuba diving. In fact there are even clubs which have members who enjoy being so free when they’re deep down in the water.

For these people, diving in the nude is so exhilarating. They like the feel of water naturally caressing their body. Their number is actually surprising.

Just like any activity people engage in, there are safety considerations in nude scuba diving. For example, there are some tropical and subtropical waters that have sea lice which can be caught under clothing. If this happens, the lice sting is quite painful. Sea lice don't cling to the skin but they do cling to body hair. Therefore, if one is going to scuba dive in the nude, the recommended body hair must be shaved or trimmed.

Also, nude scuba diving assists the diver in becoming better in his sport by making him more conscious of his surroundings. The underwater environment will teach him improved and advanced diving skills. For example, rocks, coral, cliffs can be brushed against when the diver is wearing a wetsuit. This can damage the expensive gear and even result in a safety hazard. But in scuba diving, the diver can “be” in his environment. However, this means that he should be all the more careful.

There may be advantages in nude scuba diving, but there are also some disadvantages naturally. Like, male divers must avoid feeding fish because some of the fish can't tell food from a man’s private organs. The fish can bite it. Also, men should always protect themselves when a school of fish comes their way.

I bet you’re snickering as you are reading this, but it is a serious matter any nude scuba diver must take notice of. A fish bite is hazardous. Just be conscious of the diving environment you are in – especially if you aren't wearing a wetsuit or bathing suit.

If you would want to try nude scuba diving, you can go to Mexico, Honduras, Antiqua, Bahamas, Bonaire, Dominican Republic, Florida and Jamaica. A majority of nude scuba drivers frequent the beaches there.

Scuba Diving History

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Scuba diving is a marine sport that is pretty much enjoyed by water babies. Actually, SCUBA is an acronym for “Self Contained Underwater Breath Apparatus”.

Through the development of technology, scuba diving continues to evolve. At the moment, diving activities pertaining to scuba include:
- recreational diving
- public safety diving
- technical diving which includes ice diving, wreck diving, cave diving and deep diving
- military diving
- commercial diving
- scientific diving

History of scuba-diving goes back centuries. Men and women have practiced holding their breath underwater way before the apparatus for the sport was invented.

Indirect origins come in the form of ancient artifacts found in Greece showing divers hunting for sponges and sometimes engaged in military endeavors. The most popular would be the story of Scyllis dating back in the 500 BC as quoted by the famous Greek historian Herodotus.

The story goes that during the Grecian naval campaign, Scyllis was held captive by Xerxes I, the Persian King. Upon knowing that Xerxes was attacking the Greek fleet, Scyllis grabbed a knife and jumped overboard.

Persians couldn’t find Scyllis. They assumed that he drowned. At night, Scyllis resurfaced and swam all the way to Xerxes’ fleet, cutting every ship off from its moorings. He used a reed as his snorkel so that he couldn’t be seen. Afterwards, he swam nine miles (approximately 15 kilometers) and joined his fellow Greeks.

Move on to the 16th century when people started using diving bells which were the first effective apparatus used in staying under water for a long period of time. The bell was held at a stationary level which is few feet away from the surface. The bottom was open to water while the top contained air compressed with the water pressure.

The diver stood upright and held his head in the air. Then he could leave the bell so that he could collect sponges or explore the bottom of the sea. Afterwards, he returned to the bell to get air. He could keep on doing this till the bell was no longer breathable.

At that time, England and France were manufacturing full diving suits. These were made from leather and used to submerge under 60 feet. The air was pumped from underneath the surface through manual pumps. Later on, metal helmets were made in order to hold greater water pressure for divers who went deeper.

19th century, scientific researches led by French Paul Bert and Scottish John Scott Haldane concluded the effects of water pressure within the body. From these study, compressed air pumps, regulators and carbon dioxide led to the creation of the Scuba diving apparatus we know today.

Scuba Diving in the Caribbean Seas

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The Caribbean islands is popular to scuba divers because its beaches are the finest destinations of this marine sport. The islands stretch of reef and are teemed with tropical fish. The walls drop from six to 6000 meters.

There are also caves and wrecks to explore, unleashing the adventurer in every scuba diver. Pinnacles, fumaroles, volcanic gases, sharks, dolphins – the list goes on an on.

In connection to this, tons of dive shops are situated in almost all of the islands so it is very easy to plan diving activities in the vicinity. If you aren't an experienced or licensed diver, you are only allowed to dive with trainers. As for those who have AOW cards, they can explore the open water dives in the Caribbean islands.

Popular Caribbean Islands for Scuba Diving:
1. Anguilla
One of the Caribbean’s top destinations at the moment because of its astonishing beaches. It also has a slew of top-notch restaurants, luxurious and accommodating hotels and superb villas. It may be expensive because of its exclusivity but if you can afford it, why not?

2. Antigua
With its grandiose bays in between peninsulas, the 108 square miles mast of land rolls on a limestone base that is covered by reefs. It even has a little forest. It's not only popular for scuba diving, it is also the perfect location for sailing. It is home to the Antigua Race week, a famous sailing regatta.

3. Barbados
With exclusive possibilities, Barbados is often visited by countless tourists from all parts of the globe. The developed islands and hospitable islanders, plus the fact that it is accessible from the States, Canada and Europe are additional perks to its marvelous beaches, accommodating hotels and grandiose villas and restaurants.
If is your first time to go to the Caribbean, Barbados is the best island to check out.

4. Cayman Islands
Consisting of the three islands in West Caribbean, south of Cuba and West Jamaica, Grand Cayman is charming to tourists because of its accommodating islanders. The main beach is eye-catching and relaxing. It has an American feel. Scuba divers can choose to stay in various hotels, inns, apartments or condominium.

5. Grenada
Spinning around Grand Etang, which is the mountain center of the island, Grenada has extraordinary scenery composed of finger coves. Its white sand beaches are perfect for scuba diving and sailing. It may not be as developed as a tourist destination but the real appeal of Grenada is that its safely tucked away from most people, thereby making it exclusive to scuba divers who venture here.

Tips for an Advanced Scuba Diver

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Just like school, learning is progress. You can't simply remain at the same level year in and year out. Scuba diving requires the same progression. First, interested scuba divers have to enroll themselves in basic scuba diving courses. After they have obtained the fundamental skills and the needed knowledge of the underwater hobby, then they can proceed to the advanced level.

The next step is the Advanced Open Water Diver Course or what is simply known as the AOW. Here, advanced scuba skills are directly applied to the marine sport scuba diving. A card from the AOW is issued to the diver who passes this course.

This card must be presented at several diving areas in countries such as Australia, Malaysia and the Philippines because they won't allow you to dive at advanced locations if you don't have the AOW card.

Operators wouldn’t want to take the risk of putting Open Water divers to an advanced level. They would have a harder time coping with rocky currents or dangerous, azure water environments.

An advanced scuba diver must be knowledgeable of the education ahead of him. There are 5 dives required for the completion of the Advanced Open Water Diving Course. The required 2 basic Core dives are Underwater Navigation and Deep Navigation.

The scuba diver has the liberty to select which three remaining Adventure Dives he would like to master. The course is targeted specially for certified divers who want to gain more experience, obtain more knowledge and gain more practical skills.

The most popular Adventure Dives are 1.) Underwater Photography or Peak Performance Buoyancy Dive 2.) Underwater Navigation or Naturalist Dive and 3.) Night and Deep and Photography Dives.

Examples of advances scuba diving tips:
1. In the navigation dive, you will be taught how to use the compass better for natural navigational aids that will assist you in your underwater journey.
2. In deep diving, you will be allowed to dive 18 meters or 60 feet. After having completed the course, then you will be allowed to go beyond that range and reach 30 meters or 100 feet.
3. In adventure dive, you will be able to explore diving like observing the underwater lide and plants.

After knowing, the basics of diving, there is the desire to acquire knowledge and skills for more diving enjoyment. As a diver, have you ever tried surfacing far, far from the crew boat you were in then have that long indepedent swim back? Having obtained advanced scuba diving lessons would allow you to do so – with confidence.

Best Dive Sites on the Planet

2007-09-06T05:28:00.005-07:00

Diving is perhaps one of a few activities that integrates excitement with serenity and relaxation. This is why it has become a favorite hobby all around the world.

The activity gives traveling a whole new meaning. It allows a person to be able to have a new perspective about how he relates to this surroundings and to the planet in general. Diving in the best dive sites in the world is one of the common dreams that are shared by thousands of diving enthusiasts out there.

This article tries to give some narrative pictures about some of the best dives sites in the world. The totality of a certain dive should be seen to be able to appreciate it. One shouldn't look at a dive site in terms of the aquatic wild life, or the clarity of the water, but he should also look in to the history and the culture that is embedded in the waters.

Yongala

The Yongala dive site is perhaps the best dive site in Australia, or perhaps in the world. It is actually a shipwreck and the stories behind it are what make it a very good dive site.

In the early 1900’s, the ship was wrecked by a magnanimous cyclone in Queensland. The unfortunate event cost more than a hundred people and a famous racehorse. The 109 m. long shipwreck was officially protected as a historical site during the 1980s.

As one diver puts it- “The Yongala is all about the fish!” One can see teeming aquatic life beneath the surface of the site’s waters. Sea snakes, manta rays, turtles, octopuses, tiger and bull sharks, corals, you name it, the Yongala has it.

For those people who are interested in taking a peek inside the shipwreck, there’s some bad news. Divers are forbidden to enter the ship and it would cost him a lot if he breaks this rule. The mystery of the shipwreck adds up to the value of the dive site.

Tubbataha

The Tubbataha reef in the Philippines is also a very popular diving destination. Why? Because the biodiversity in this dive site can compete with any of the dive sites in the world. The Tubbataha reef, in fact, was named as one of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s World Heritage Sites in 1994.

If you want to take a dip in the Tubbataha reefs, then you should set your schedule ahead of time because the diving season in the reef is only from the middle of March up to the middle of June. This is to protect the vast amounts of fish species that feed on the reef during the other times of the year.

Barracuda Point

It is a dive site that is located in the small island called Sipadan which is near Sabbah. One will have to take a boat ride from Semporna which will take about an hour to get to the dive site.

Divers love this spot because of the swarming schools of fish (especially the barracudas) that swims around. A negative comment about it is that the currents can be too strong sometimes but nonetheless, it’s one great dive site.

The best time to dive at the Barracuda Point is from December to February.

Florida Keys

Perhaps the best dive site in the United States is the Florida keys. The main reason why divers go here is that it has the longest reef in the western world. The waters are crystal clear down to more than a hundred feet. There are around 500 shipwrecks which can be explored. There’s also an underwater hotel! Would you believe that?

There are many entities within the area which can help you with your diving needs. You can hire a professional guide or rent video equipment from the nearby shops at the dive sites.

Illes Medes

Illes Medes is located in L’Estartit in Spain, Costa Brava, Spain. It is approximately 135 kilometers from Barcelona. The temperatures here are very conducive for diving. The fish here are somewhat friendly because they aren't that scared of humans and they actually come close to the divers. The peak season for diving here is August.

These are just some of the wonderful dive sites in the world. Take your pick now and dive your way towards the heavens under the seas.

Practical Tips on How to Conserve Air in Scuba Diving

2007-09-06T05:28:00.003-07:00

Man has a natural inclination towards being one with his surroundings. Everything is interconnected and each person feels the need to be able to feel every medium that intertwines between the complexities of his being. This is the reason why so many people are going crazy about scuba diving.

Scuba diving has attracted the attention of many enthusiasts all over the globe. It seems to be a very fulfilling and enjoyable activity. Some people have made careers out of their passion for scuba diving. The world has sensationalized scuba diving in such a way that it has helped preserve the environment and greatly contributed to the awareness regarding the environmental issues that are associated with our aquatic resources.

One of the major and popular issues that are continuously being discussed in the scuba diving arena is the conservation of air under water. An emerging scuba apparatus design is called a rebreather, which can help people address the concern about rapid air consumption. The apparatus functions in such a way that the exhaled air by the diver is stripped of carbon dioxide and is re-circulated to the air chamber. This way, one can enjoy the deep seas much longer. However, in most cases, divers don’t have such an apparatus.

Having insufficient air under water poses grave risks for the diver. One of the major causes of brain damage from scuba diving activities is the prolonged lack of oxygen that flows into the brain. Our brains rely on oxygen to deliver the necessary nutrients for it to function and if a diver doesn’t know how to properly manage his air, he is exposing himself to the risk of running out of breathable air.

So, what are some of the ways by which a scuba diver can conserve air while diving? One of the most controversial suggestions regarding the issue is to hold one’s breath during dives to be able to conserve air. In real life, one shouldn't make breathe holding as a diving habit. A simple analogy for holding one’s breath is it is like killing the chicken to be able to get the eggs. It’s really a matter of priority. Do you want to conserve air from your tank while risking yourself to the negative effects of carbon dioxide saturation? The build up of carbon in the brain is dangerous because it pollutes the blood stream and deprives all the parts of the body from the much needed gas that is oxygen.

However, holding one’s breath has some useful applications. It can be used to be able to control one’s buoyancy under water. It is usually used by professionals to ascend a maximum of one foot, but nothing more than that. One should also remember that it is a “no-no” to hold one’s breath while ascending rapidly.

A more accepted way of conserving one’s air under water is to practice slow breathing. When you inhale and exhale, you should do it in a way that you fully go through the process. Breathing completely and slowly is the way to go if you really want to conserve water under water. It makes the whole process of respiration more efficient and effective as compared to taking short inhales and making short exhales.

Another tip (which is related to the one given above) is that it is more advisable to make big kicks as compared to making tiny ones. The concept behind this is that it is a more efficient way to move under water, therefore, you conserve your energy and less oxygen is needed by your body.

Sometimes, divers usually do all the things that are mentioned above and they still find themselves consuming too much air. For all the air hogs out there, the problem might not be under water. Being physically fit is very important in scuba diving. A diver who smokes would most definitely consume much more air much rapidly than a diver who is in good physical condition. Looking at the issue of air conservation under water from a more holistic point of view is perhaps the best tip that one can imbibe.

Got Plans? Dive On Them.

2007-09-06T05:28:00.001-07:00

Whether this will be your first or fourth, you have to plan your scuba dive well. Scuba diving isn't like any other swimming activity where you just bring your favorite swim suit and a few changes of clothing. It involves much more planning, but in the end, all your hard work will be worth it.

In order to stay safe while underwater and make scuba diving a wonderful experience, you should ensure that you are able to get a proper training before you dive in. Scuba diving isn't a sport that you can learn all by yourself. You have to consult the expertise of scuba diving instructors and undergo some specialized trainings to familiarize yourself with the ins and outs of scuba diving.

If you’re planning to scuba dive over the weekend, the first thing you should check is if you’re physically fit for the challenge. Aside from being a decent swimmer, you have to pass a certain fitness level. Scuba diving could be fatal to those who aren't physically strong enough. If you’re not sure about your level of fitness, you can try talking about your scuba diving plans with your doctor.

Even if you’re just planning to make scuba diving a one-time experience during your vacation in the tropics, you have to go through a basic scuba diving course. Most resorts have dive shops and scuba diving courses. You may want to check on these. Knowing the basics of scuba diving will enable you to go scuba diving, but you will need proper supervision from scuba diving professionals to ensure that your scuba diving experience will be as safe as possible.

When you’re about a hundred feet below the surface, pressure builds up and your body starts reacting to too much nitrogen in your bloodstream. When this unexpected difficulty happens, you might not be able to think clearly. In fact, you could start panicking, which isn't advisable when you’re underwater. That’s why, it is important to have proper training.

With proper training, you’ll be able to plan your dive. So when you’re feeling a bit nervous while underwater, you don’t have to think about what you need to do, you just have to follow your dive plan.

To help you achieve your dive plan, you will need some scuba diving equipment, such as a dive computer. A dive computer calculates and displays your dive depth, ascent rate, time, etc. These details are very helpful to prevent any decompression or pressure related injuries. These injuries such as Nitrogen Narcosis, could be fatal to divers.

Once you’ve tried scuba diving and you’ve enjoyed it so much that you want to make it your lifetime sport, you will have to go a little further with your scuba diving training. There is a lot of recognizing scuba diving training agencies where you can get your certification.

A Basic Certification in scuba diving involves both theoretical and practical aspects of the course. You can work in a swimming pool or diving school and pass written exams on diving to get certified. Once of the toughest challenges a diving student may face during his certification courses is learning to use a dive table. Usually, a student will undergo a dive operation using a giant dive table. Hopefully, this will aid him in mastering the subject.

An Open Water Certification on the other hand, will require you to go somewhere, maybe in the tropical areas, where scuba diving is in season. Children who are 14 years old or younger won't be able to get fully certified, but if they plan to obtain a full certification soon, they can enroll themselves in some scuba diving classes to prepare them.

A good diving course will also teach you how to properly select, care and use scuba diving gears. Of course, you will learn how to scuba dive safely, even without any supervision. By taking up a scuba diving course, you can improve on your breathing techniques and other scuba diving skills to make your diving experience more enjoyable.

So if you’re up to the exciting scuba diving challenges, then get started, breathe deeply, and dive just right in. Scuba diving could be your ticket to an extreme underwater adventure.

Scuba Diving: A Chance for Underwater Life

2007-09-06T05:27:00.005-07:00

All year round, scuba diving is a popular activity. It is basically defined as the act of entering the water and remaining below its surface to explore, work, of simply just have fun. There are several famous scuba diving spots all over the world. Scuba diving isn't limited to the oceans, however. Many divers dive into other forms of water, such as lakes, ponds and rivers.

Scuba refers to the tank containing air that divers carry with them to enable them to breathe underwater. The word scuba stands for “self-contained underwater-breathing apparatus.

For centuries, people have been fascinated by the life found underwater. In fact, there is an estimated six million active divers around the world. Commercial, cave, wreck and military diving are just a few purposes for diving. The most popular of which is sport or recreational diving.

However, before you go diving, there are several issues to be considered. Scuba diving is a potentially hazardous sport. Thus, you need to look at a few of its physiological concepts to help familiarize yourself.

Diving requires special training, especially when you plan to go more than 130 feet below the surface. Due to the water pressure, you would find yourself experiencing decompression sickness and air embolisms.

Also, it would be helpful to know that a person tends to consume more air the deeper he goes underwater. It follows that with the same amount of air, divers at a shallower depth last longer. Also, air consumption varies per person, depending on their diving experience, general relaxation and physical fitness. Also, those who have a healthier lifestyle, which means less alcohol and tobacco intake, expect to last longer underwater.

The dangers in scuba diving stem primarily from its physiological hazards. Unlike aquatic animals that have gills to extract oxygen from the water, humans need external devices to breathe underwater. Thus, it is important to strictly follow the procedures learned during scuba diving certification process. You should never attempt to dive beyond your abilities and experience.

To breathe comfortably underwater, it takes more than good supply of air. You need to consider the pressure exerted by water onto your chest and lungs. That means, you should be able to exert enough pressure when inhaling to counter the surrounding temperature, or else, you might not be able to safely inflate your lungs.

Fortunately, there are modern devices such as valve regulators to ensure that the diver can breathe naturally and almost effortlessly underwater, regardless of depth. You won’t be using your nose in inhalation since it is usually encapsulated in a diving mask. However, you don’t need to worry since inhaling from the regulator’s mouthpiece will come out spontaneously.

It is also important to ascend or descend slowly, to give your body enough time to equalize the pressure. Sudden changes in water pressure can be very harmful. A significant difference from the pressure outside and inside the diver can cause severe injuries, referred to as barotraumas.

Bends or decompression sickness is caused by staying too long in great depths then ascending very quickly. The deeper you dive underwater, the denser the air you breathe, which allows you to breathe nitrogen more than safe amount. Nitrogen forms tiny bubbles on your tissues and bloodstream. If these bubbles stay trapped inside your body, they could burst and cause extreme pain.

Another fatal pressure related injury is air embolism. When you ascend too quickly, the gases in your bloodstream will form a large bubble which can impede the flow of blood to your brain. To allow excess air to escape from the body, a diver should ascend slowly enough.

To avoid these risks, you must be able to calculate how long you can safely stay at a certain depth and how long you should dive again. Of course, there is also the risk of running out of air and breathing contaminated air when underwater. Scuba diving certification courses should teach you how to avoid these and what to do should a fellow diver experience such problems.

So before you explore the underwater world, make sure you have passed a scuba diving certification. This will allow you to do unsupervised dives, refill your air tanks and buy scuba diving gadgets. Of course, when you go scuba diving, make sure that you have somebody with you who can assist you if something goes wrong.

Scuba Diving Tips: Breathing Control

2007-09-06T05:27:00.003-07:00

Breathing is easy, isn't it? We do it all the time. Good air in, bad air out. Simple, and easy, right? Wrong! In scuba diving, breathing properly serves three major purposes, and missing out on knowing how to breathe properly can lead to a messed up dive.

Why should your learn a different way to breathe for diving? Well, the technique that will be given here isn't just for diving, it's meant to increase the efficiency at which your body processes oxygen in general, and will benefit every aspect of your life that requires physical activity.

First off, proper breathing helps you to control your buoyancy. If your scuba instructor tells you to hold your breath while adjusting your regulator to control your dive depth, you'll quickly wind up blue in the face. Definitely not a pleasant experience. Instead of holding your breath and relying on the weights and regulator to adjust buoyancy, breathing properly can cause subtle shifts in your floatation.

Secondly, proper breathing on a dive extends your air time. The breathing technique given here helps the body process more oxygen, sending it to the body with greater efficiency and maximizing the amount of oxygen that gets introduced into the blood stream. You won't use your air up as quickly, and can extend your time underwater.

Lastly, proper breathing combined with good control over your descent and ascent rate helps to minimize decompression sickness, which is a problem that hits divers when the sudden changes in external pressure on the body trigger collections of air pockets in the blood stream, heart, and sinuses. Those little air pockets cause a condition that divers refer to as The Bends, which can be anything from merely painful and annoying, to outright fatal by leading to a stroke or brain damage.

That said and done, let's get into the actual breathing method to use.

Speaking from personal experience, the breathing technique that should be employed in diving are related to that used by martial artists, singers, yoga practitioners, and gymnasts. This is a method called diaphragm breathing, and goes by many different fancy names depending on which discipline is using it, like in martial arts where it is referred to as Ki or Chi Breathing.

To practise diaphragm breathing, either stand or sit up straight (your choice), and just breathe in. Don't slouch. Observe how you take the air in. Most people will have their chests expand when they take a breath. This is normal, regular lung breathing. In diaphragm breathing, the lower stomach expands instead of the chest.

To do this properly, the biggest key is to relax. Your abdominal muscles will actually instinctively tighten up when you take a breath and try to focus on your gut. Don't focus on your gut, just relax and breath in, but make a point of actually relaxing your navel area when you inhale. Most people get diaphragm breathing wrong because they tense up the muscles in their gut in an effort to send their breath there. Tensing up these muscles actually causes them to contract, which keeps air from going that deeply. That's all there is to this form of breathing, really. It's simple, once you get the hang of it.

It's also important to keep your breathing rhythm deep, slow, and even when you're practising this method, inhaling as far as you can go, holding the air in your lungs for just a few seconds, then exhaling the air slowly and evenly. Shallow, rapid breathing, as most medical practitioners know, is a very, very bad thing, which leads to asphyxiation, a state where not enough oxygen gets cycled through the body.

By the way, the air, of course, isn't really going into your stomach. It just expands because the diaphragm is positioned right above it in the body. Basic anatomy lesson here: the diaphragm is a membrane which controls the expansion of the lungs, which causes the inhalation and exhalation of air. Basically, what this form of breathing achieves is to strengthen your diaphragm itself, as well as increasing the capacity of your lungs. Keep practising this method until it becomes automatic and natural, and you'll be surprised at the results. Not just in your scuba diving, but in your overall physical condition.

Scuba Safety Measures

2007-09-06T05:27:00.001-07:00

Scuba Diving, while fun, has it's share of hazards like any outdoor sport. Knowing how to recognize and deal with potential problems before (or when) they occur can make the difference between life and death when you're under water. Here are a few safety precautions to take, as well as some of the things that can happen that you should look out for.

Plan Contingencies for Every Emergency - there's that law good old Murphy made, that "Anything that can go wrong will go wrong". While a seemingly pessimistic and cynical statement, it actually helps sometimes to take this approach, especially when planning for emergencies. Take enough gear to handle all the potential problems that you'll encounter, and have back up means of getting external help on hand in case something arises that you weren't prepared for.

Decompression Injuries: DCS - know how to recognize the symptoms of these two maladies. They will require treatment in an emergency decompression chamber. They are: Decompression sickness, or DCS, and Cerebral arterial gas embolism, or CAGE. DCS occurs because the body forms air pockets in it when utilizing compressed air, as well as becuase it is subject to increased external pressure from the water. DCS occurs because the nitrogen in a person's air supply, unlike oxygen, is NOT used up and absorbed by the body, and the increased levels of nitrogen, unless controlled by a device on the breathing apparatus called a regulator, collects air pockets in the body. These create a cramping sensation, nausea, and lightheadedness, and a physical sensation referred to by divers as The Bends. DCS usually occurs on an overly fast descent, as the body and the regulator can't compensate fast enough for the increased water pressure.

Decompression Injuries: CAGE - Cerebral arterial gas embolism occurs more often as a result of an uncontrolled rapid ascent, as opposed to the bends that hit divers due to a fast descent. This manifests as sharp pains in the body, especially in the sinuses, head, and in the lung area. This is a very serious condition that can be potentially fatal. CAGE is caused when the rapid ascent of the diver causes air bubbles similar to those formed during DCS, only this time the air pressure changes that trigger the bubbles in the body are due to a sudden lessening of the water pressure surrounding the body. This causes the trapped air to have a higher pressure volume than the surrounding atmosphere. In effect, the diver is an unopened can of soda that got shaken real good underwater, and once he leaves the water, it's the same effect as opening the can...

Injuries - the injuries that can occur from decompression range from the merely bothersome, like nausea, sharp pains, and cramps, to more serious matters. One of the most potentially damaging is trapped air bubbles reaching the heart or the cerebral system. As some of you may have seen on television, there are episodes where a villain kills a sleeping victim in a hospital by injecting air into their dextrose. The air bubbles formed in the veins cause cardiac arrest when they hit the heart, or a stroke when they hit the brain. This is a true fact, and the air bubbles causes by decompression may have this effect, if large enough. This is one of the major reasons why controlled ascents and descnet rates are so vital to safe diving.

Other Potential Maladies - aside from decompression sickness, which is the most common and severe type of injuy incurred by divers, other maladies are mostly atmospheric in cause. Hypothermia is caused by dives in extremely cold water, or by diving with a wetsuit that doesn't provide enough heat insulation. Dehydration also occurs on a dive, surprisingly. Be sure to drink lots of water before you go. Asphyxiation occurs, on the other hand, if the air supply used is flawed and doesn't give the body adequate oxygen to function.

Scuba Lifesaving - Take up a first aid class that will allow you to recognize the signs of the conditions given above, and also teaches you emergency measures to be used in those events. Don't rely on text based or verbal descriptions, make sure that the first aid course gives you full, hands on training in dealing with these injuries. Also keep your first aid kit handy and well stocked on your dives, and always have a means to call for help from others, including a radio transmitter, cellular telephone, and even signal flares. While seemingly bulky and unnecessary, these items can mean the difference between life and death.

Observe Marine Life Through Skin Diving

2007-09-06T05:26:00.003-07:00

For centuries, people have tried to explore the aquatic environment. Before, their main reason was to gather food or to salvage some items from rivers, lakes and oceans. Also, young girls and boys were trained to free dive to gather shellfish and seaweed, and even sponges from the sea floor.

In modern times, although people still continue to dive for valuable objects and food, diving’s popularity grew especially in warm vacation destinations. Tourists and diving enthusiasts skin dive to explore the underwater world. Without any special training and equipment, they were able to observe the beauty of aquatic life.

Basically, skin diving is defined as a water activity wherein swimmers depend on their lung capacity, a diving mask, snorkel, and fins to move about underwater for several minutes. It is an extension of snorkeling, where a person views the underwater environment from the water surface.

Skin diving is termed as such because of the little equipment it requires. Its basic requirements are only a waterproof mask, fins for the feet, and a snorkel. A snorkel is just a tube about 38 cm long with a mouthpiece on one end, used for breathing underwater.

The diving mask should allow the skin divers to see clearly even when underwater. A mask which completely encapsulates the nose and eyes to form an air space between the water and diver’s eyes is preferred.

Fins, or also called flippers are like the webbed feet of a duck. These enhance the divers’ movements below the water, and helped to propel them in a smooth and efficient motion. All fins have a foot pocket to secure your feet in, and large sheets of flexible plastic.

Snorkels are also helpful in observing shallow marine life. As long one end extends out of the surface, the diver will be able to breathe normally. However, snorkels shouldn't be more than 15 inches long since air can't be drawn to greater depths.

If you want to go deeper into the water, you have to hold your breath. Since you can’t possiblily live without breathing for hours, you could only stay beneath the ocean for brief periods, usually about two minutes. Experienced skin divers, however, however are known to stay underwater for several minutes.

The main difference of skin diving from scuba diving is the device used by scuba divers. Scuba stands for “self-contained underwater-breathing apparatus”, which is basically just a metal tank filled with air. This tank should be connected to a valve regulator for pressure adjustment so the diver can breathe comfortably even at greater water pressures.

Also, since scuba diving involves exploring the water at greater depths, there are other major considerations. A scuba diver needs a suit to keep him warm enough while underwater.

Scuba divers also make use of buoyancy compensators to help them control their position while underwater. A diver just controls the amount of air in these buoyancy compensators to adjust their overall buoyancy.

Of course, there are several pressure related injuries which a scuba diver is exposed to. Ascending or descending too quickly causing significant rapid changes in the pressure difference between a diver’s body and his surroundings may be fatal. That’s why, scuba divers need to go through specialized training to be able to stay safe and remain alive even when more than a hundred feet below water.

That’s basically the difference between scuba diving and skin diving. When you scuba dive, you are largely dependent on your diving gears for survival. Skin diving on the other hand is a simpler form of exploring the underwater environment, that’s probably what makes it very popular. As mentioned, you only need to rely on your own swimming prowess. You won’t need to pay for any expensive special breathing equipment.

So if you plan to stay at greater depths for a longer period of time, you can take some scuba diving lessons. Scuba diving is mostly beneficial for those who wish to study and collect date on marine environments.

Skin diving is mostly used for food gathering underwater. In some parts of the Caribbean, it is illegal to catch lobsters using any scuba equipment, thus, those who are good in skin make hundreds of dives each day to collect lobsters.

Diving In A Different Environment

2007-09-06T05:26:00.001-07:00

More and more are drawn into the beauty of the underwater environment, especially now that humans can go to a hundred feet below the surface with the help of scuba diving gears. If you’re seeking for an ultimate adventure in the depths of the ocean, then scuba diving may be your ticket.

However, before you excitedly dip yourself in, bear in mind that scuba diving poses some hazards to humans. The most common of these are pressure related injuries, such as decompression sickness or air embolism. To avoid these injuries, you must be able to calculate how long you can safely stay underwater. You would also need to know the proper descent and ascent rates, or else, you might find yourself fatally inflicted with these pressure related illnesses.

Most aquatic animals don't pose any risks to divers. In fact, a diver may be a threat to them. For example, coral could be killed by just one touch.

However, there are also a few marine life forms that may injure a diver. The most common include jellyfishes, stinging corals, fire corals, and sea urchins. Sharks and poisonous sea animals can also injure divers, but very rarely. Generally, animals attack humans only when they are provoked.

Although, there have been recorded unprovoked shark attacks, the number is still few. Statistics even show that your odds of being attacked by one of these dangerous aquatic animals is 1 in 12 million. You’re more likely to be attacked by a dog or a snake when you’re above water.

Scuba diving, being a visual underwater experience, doesn't include altering the underwater habitat. Divers shouldn't touch anything, be it a plant, animal or an object underwater.

Usually, the best scuba diving locations are where there are plentiful marine life. Of course, it is an added advantage for divers if the water is clear and the temperature are warm. That would make them see the aquatic beauty clearly and better adjust to the underwater temperature.

The most popular diving destination is the Caribbean. The Caribbean seas house color coral reefs that abounds with marine life. Different types of fishes find shelter among these coral reefs. Most parts of the Caribbean region have been designated to be marine sanctuaries or part, thus fishing and other human activities which could damage the marine life are prohibited.

Ship wreck sites are also being sought to be preserved. Aside from providing valuable treasure and clues to our rich history, these sunken ships also provide aquatic animals an ideal nesting or breeding area. So these ships not only add beauty to the ocean floors, they also have some utilitarian purposes for aquatic animals who live in deep places where resources are very scarce.

It’s been said that there are about 75 000 sunken ships in the North America area alone. These locations also attracted thousands of divers from around the world. Some hoped to find buried treasures while others seek fame for having discovered some important historical links. Still, several dive for recreation purposes just to enjoy what the underwater environment has to offer.

Other protected areas and are also famous dive destinations are the South Pacific, Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. The government and environment organizations try to conserve the beauty of the habitat of these aquatic animals and plants. Although these destinations are open for viewing and recreational diving, enough marine police are assigned to ensure that the divers abide by the conservation rules and regulations.

It is just appropriate to raise these marine conservation issues, especially now that our technology has advanced so much. Technology advancements could also mean a lesser concern for the environment. Just take a look at what’s above sea level. There are several high rise buildings and large factories that contribute to pollution.

Currently, mankind is slowly able to invade the depths of the ocean, too. In fact, submersibles, such as submarines have been invented to allow humans to go into the deepest parts of the oceans. Marine biologists, geologists, archaeologists and scientists are using such technology to enable them to stay in the ocean for long periods of time so they can learn more in their fields of study.

Who knows what the near future has in store for deep water exploration?

Safety in Scuba Diving

2007-09-06T05:25:00.003-07:00

Scuba diving is a unique and beautiful experience that everyone should try at least once in their lifetime. Barring perhaps hydrophobics, almost anyone will find the experience of being underwater and floating along both exhilarating and relaxing at the same time. However, without proper training and preparation, scuba can also be a dangerous undertaking, with hazards that can affect the unprepared. With proper equipment and precautions, however, it is a safe and wonderful thing to do. Here are a few safety tips for the beginning scuba diver to consider before taking up diving in earnest.

Training - Get certified. Take a training course that has official certification. If diving only for sport while on vacation like some people do, make sure that you have a certified instructor accompanying you on your dive. If diving in earnest, take a course that will actually give you a certificate for diving (not necessarily as an instructor, but one that will register you as a certified and capable scuba diver).

Physical Conditioning - see a doctor before taking up scuba. Make sure that your doctor gives you a clean bill of health for the physical exertions required in scuba. While mentally relaxing, scuba diving involves enough physical effort that people with weak cardiovascular and especially respiratory systems can't indulge in it. Asthma, a weak heart, tendencies for asphyxiation, all of these can disqualify a person from scuba diving. Also on the note of physical capability, knowing how to swim is a huge bonus. While not a necessity because scuba gear allows even those who don't know how to swim to navigate underwater, it is nonetheless a very good thing to know. After all, you'll be underwater...

Avoid Places Where Bad Things Dwell - your training and certification in scuba will include a ranking that determines what levels of underwater hazards you're trained to tackle. Avoid any places that you aren't certified to handle. These areas will usually be very dangerous for the untrained, and will usually include special hazards that need their own branch of specialized scuba training or certain pieces of equipment to overcome. Examples include scuba diving in shark infested waters, ice floes, amongst coral reefs with toxic or aggressive underwater lifeforms, underwater caves, and shipwrecks.

Proper Equipment Is A Must - your training and certification should also include care and maintenance of the scuba equipment. If you're using your own equipment, make sure that you take excellent care of it, keeping it in top condition. No matter how skilled you are at navigating underwater, man is NOT biologically aquatic, and your equipment is all that's keeping you alive down there. If renting equipment, give it much more than a cursory once-over. Examine it carefully to make sure there are no flaws in the gear that might cause it to fail during a dive. One of the hazards of scuba diving is drowning if your breathing apparatus gives out.

Don't Dive Alone - Always have a dive buddy or an instructor with you, as long as you are with someone who has more experience than you. If you're diving with a buddy, don't bring along someone who's also a noobie if you yourself are new to the game. If you're an old hand diving with a noobie, make sure that your partner knows how to follow your instructions once underwater. If you MUST dive alone, then at least have someone manning the boat on the surface to make sure you've got a buddy on overwatch.

Study Conditions Before The Dive - listen to weather reports before the dive to make sure you don't wind up diving during a typhoon or worse, a thunderstorm. Even if the conditions seem okay for diving, make sure to pack enough medical equipment to compensate for sudden changes in the weather. Even if it's a heat wave and not something related to wind and rain, adverse weather can be problematic. Heat waves have been known to cause heat stroke and dehydration to divers who thought they were safe from the heatwave because they were underwater. Remember that water conducts heat more efficiently than air.

Know When Bad Things Are Happening - learn and internalize the medical signs and symptoms of the following conditions, as they are the maladies that usually afflict divers. Hypothermia, dehydration, heat exhaustion, and asphyxiation are the things to watch out for, as well as a diver-specific malady called decompression sickness, which occurs when a diver's body is submitted to and becomes accustomed to high pressures underwater, as well as having air bubbles form in the body from prolonged breathing of high pressure gas. Returning to the surface where the body no longer is subject to these pressures can lead to dizziness, sickness, and vomiting from system shock. It is in a way, comparable to a person being used to the thin air of mountain climbing, when the climber goes back to a normal atmosphere and breathes a higher concentration of oxygen.

Preparing For A Dive - Things to Do Before You Scuba

2007-09-06T05:25:00.001-07:00

Scuba diving is a sport that many people indulge in, and it is a fun experience for almost anyone, except perhaps those who can't swim and are terrified of water. It isn't without it's risks, however, and like any outdoor hobby or sport, injuries can be sustained, sometimes even fatal ones, by undertrained or poorly equipped divers. For the noobies out there, here are a few preparatory steps that you must take and some information you need to make sure that you can enjoy your first dive in safety.

Certification and Training - take up a course that actually gives you certification to scuba dive. If you're just doing scuba for kicks however, like maybe just renting gear out at a beach resort while on vacation, then make sure you are accompanied by one a professional instructor when you do your dive. Also, keep in mind that scuba divers must have skills in swimming and snorkelling as prerequisites for scuba diving. If you're not proficient in both of these areas, it's best to try them out first before doing something as serious and complex as scuba.

Equipment Checks - make sure that your equipment is in proper working order. As stated earlier, get proper training before doing a dive. Part of any good scuba instructional course includes the care and maintenance of equipment, as well as spotting potential weaknesses in equipment that can lead to it's failure underwater. Many divers have suffered accidents during dives due to faulty air lines, but aside from that be sure to check the rest of your equipment just as thoroughly, down to your compass and first aid kit.

First Aid - you'll need special training in treating underwater injuries, as well as the ability to recognize the signs and symptoms of common maladies incurred by divers, which include hypothermia, decompression sickness, and in hot weather, heat stoke and dehydration. Make sure your first aid kit is well stocked before the dive.

Know Ascents and Descents - part of diving successfully is to keep a pressure gauge and depth gauge that monitors water pressure around you and the depth you're at. Water pressure increases drastically the deeper you go, and divers can sometimes suffer dizziness, shortness of breath, nausea, and muscle cramps from descending too quickly. On the opposite note, even with a good, controlled descent, a rapid ascent can also lead to system shock and trauma if the diver just suddenly dumps his diving weights and rockets to the surface. The body won't be able to adjust to the sudden lack of pressure, especially once the diver leaves the water.

Buddy Diving - never dive alone if you're a noobie. Always have a more experienced and trained diver with you. Keep your buddy in sight at all times, and be sure to follow his or her lead once the dive begins. Do NOT go off on your own, no matter how safe the surrounding waters seem to you. Tempting as it may sound for the adventurous, even if you and a friend take the same scuba course at the same time, remember that he or she does NOT count as a diving buddy if you're both noobies. There's nothing more dangerous in any outdoor exploratory sport than a pair of people blundering around in a dangerous environment.

Communication - learn the hand signals used underwater by divers to communicate. Even with a high tech open face scuba mask that has an integral comm radio, these hand signals are a must for any diver. For one, your radio may break down and run out of batteries. For another, you might run into a cute girl on your dive who's not wearing a comm system...

Navigation - know how to navigate underwater. The training course that you take should include the recognition and use of simple tools like an underwater compass, as well as more advanced things like using underwater floater buoys and line markers that will allow you to backtrack to your starting point once you're done with your dive. Losing sight of your buddy and getting lost underwater is scary, take my word for it, and having the capability to backtrack and meet up at a predetermined rendezvous point takes a load off your mind if this happens.

Stuff You Need For Diving

2007-08-25T07:40:00.001-07:00

Diving equipment is more complex than some people think. For the most part, people think if you've got an adequate air supply and flippers on your feet, you're set for diving. Wrong. I suppose this approach would work for the casual scuba enthusiast, but there's a lot more equipment needed for a proper dive than a tank and flippers. If you're going to get serious about diving, here are all the pieces of equipment you'll be needing, and why.

Tank or Rebreather - this is, obviously, the single most important piece of gear you'll be needing on a dive. A tank provides you with a good supply of compressed air so you can breathe. Unless you suddenly evolve gills, you'll need a good air supply for scuba. Rebreathers are small electronic devices that are more expensive then tanks, but they have the advantage of lightness and compactness over a regular tank. Rebreathers actually recycle the air used by a diver, reintroducing oxygen into it.

Masks - there are several different types of masks, and you can pretty much pick and choose from which type you want. Goggles are the smallest and simplest mask type to use, while others have integral snorkels for breathing in shallow water. Aside from these simple eyegear affairs, there are also full face masks with integral communication gear that allows you to talk to other people while diving via a built in radio comm unit. These are the preferred types of masks to use for deep extended dives, as some models of full face masks also include low light vision lenses, and these are essential for traversing depths which aren't penetrated by sunlight.

Thermal Suit - diving gets COLD. A full body suit is necessary for serious diving endeavours. These rubberized suits are full body wrapping outfits that not only help with thermal insulation, they also help to avoid abrasions if the diver's skin encounters rough surfaces, especially coral. Getting mugged by a jellyfish is also not a pleasant experience if all you're wearing underwater is your skin. Another note, the pressure applied by a wetsuit can also prevent bleeding from small wounds incurred underwater. This is essential for those who like swimming where sharks hang out, unless you enjoy being a snack for Jaws and his buddies.

Weighted Plates - contrary to the popular belief of those people who can't swim, people do NOT sink like rocks when thrown into the water. The human body is naturally buoyant, and will float in water, especially salt water. To this end, divers need to carry different sorts of weights to adjust their depth when they're diving.

Fins and Diving Motors - for propulsion underwater, you'll need either fins or, for those who want to conserve their energy, you can buy a Diver Propulsion Device, which is an electric motor driven device that you hold onto. It is roughly the size of a large vacuum cleaner, and basically does the swimming for you.

Gauges - you'll need a compass for navigation underwater, along with underwater pressure gauges and an electronic depth measurer to make sure you don't go too deep and encounter pressures that may cause you decompression sickness.

Dive Markers - these are floating buoys that you need to set to let people on the surface know where you're diving. This is essential for safety in case you run into problems underwater, as well as providing a means for passing boats to know there's a diver in the area, which lessens the chances of bonking your head on a passing ship's hull when you surface.

Handheld sonar and Light - for navigation in extremely dark areas, as well as for diving at depths where sunlight from the surface no longer penetrates, having an underwater sonar and a portable electric light source is a must.

Underwater Buoys and Line Markers - aside from surface buoys for marking where you are for passing ships and boats, underwater dive buoys also help you to navigate underwater, marking territories which you may want to come back to later so you don't get lost, as well as letting other divers in the vicinity know that you're around.

First Aid Kit - diving equipment shops will offer specialized first aid kits for treating injuries that may happen underwater. Having this kit with you is a must, as well as taking lessons in their use.

Miscellaneous Tools - having a knife, waterproof camera, lines of wire with electronic reels, a dry box for your wallet, phone, etc, and a gunny sack for holding things you nab from underwater is also something to remember. These little knick knacks aren't really necessary for a successful dive, but they come in handy.

Scuba Diving Career: When You Want It To Be More Than Just A Hobby

2007-08-25T07:39:00.005-07:00

Are you tried of your normal workday? It probably seems that there’s nothing more to life than driving to work in the morning, working with uncooperative colleagues, getting very tired, and then drive back home. Add to that all the noise and air pollution you encounter along the way.

If you’re adventurous and unconventional enough, a career in scuba diving may be right for you. Usually, those who pursue scuba diving careers were scuba diving enthusiasts who wish to take their hobby a little further. Scuba diving couldn't possibly be compared to other career choices.

Instead of causing stress, it is a rejuvenating activity. You get paid by doing something you like. You get to impart your knowledge on the sport with other people who share your interest. In scuba diving, there’s no unappreciative boss and annoying colleagues.

Starting a scuba diving is a bit like other careers, though. You should have that extreme interest in diving, and then develop your abilities to working on that. Though it seems so easy since scuba diving sounds all about fun, there’s more to learn to become a scuba diving instructor. You would have to master not only the craft of teaching but also develop an expertise in diving.

Like other professionals, scuba diving instructors also used to be students. They began with easier courses on scuba diving and then slowly moved on to more advanced courses. Of course, through the process, they were able to see more to scuba diving than just having fun while diving. They were able to see a different side of scuba diving that encourages them to share the sport to others.

If you ask any scuba diver instructor, he’ll probably tell you so much about what scuba diving has to offer. For the love of the sport and the desire to let others experience the beauty of scuba diving, they ended up being a scuba diver instructor.

Although you might think that scuba diver instructors know everything there is to learn, the truth is there is still so much to learn about scuba diving. Scuba diving is an evolving activity. it is used by the military and scientists as well. Nobody can possibly learn everything about scuba diving.

That’s why more and more people are getting interested in scuba diving. It offers a whole new world and constantly opens more doors to exploring the mysteries of the underwater life. If you are up to this challenge, then you should seriously consider a career in scuba diving.

To be a scuba diving instructor, you would first need to be a dive master. There are a lot of several scuba diving schools or agencies where you could get a certification of being a dive master.

By the end of an instructor development course, you are expected to learn more than just the basics of diving. You’ll be taught about diving standards, safety and regulations and the scuba diving system as it relates to the law. Of course, you’ll learn several techniques that you can employ to effectively teach your future students.

This extensive course will definitely make you master of scuba diving. You’ll learn everything you need to know to kick start your career in scuba diving. Of course, the rest of the learning process will follow once you have started your craft. Like many other careers, you only get about 20% of the knowledge from training, and you derive the rest in the real world.

As a scuba diving instructor, scuba divers could expect a lot from you. You need to be able to teach scuba divers how to safely scuba dive and at the same time have fun. That is quite a responsibility. Your students have placed their life’s security on your hands, but that doesn’t mean it’ll be easy to teach them how to stay safe and remain alive while underwater.

There are also other things you have to look into in pursuing a career as a scuba diver instructor. Like other careers, there’s much marketing involved. You may have to learn a little on sales literature and product marketing. You don’t have to buy everything they advertise but you need to understand the scuba diving business industry. The market in scuba diving largely affects your job and your students as well.

Training Courses and Prerequisites for Scuba Divers

2007-08-25T07:39:00.003-07:00

Scuba Diving is a sport that has grown in popularity in the past decade, evolving from something that was utilized by scientists and naturalists to further their research, turning into a popular pastime for many people. It's grown to such an extent that even beach resorts have started offering scuba diving lessons, as well as equipment rentals and certified trainers to accompany untrained noobie divers who just want to try it out.

Scuba means Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus, and involves operating underwater with a tank or rebreather that supplies oxygen to the diver. Types of Scuba are seperated based on the breathing apparatus employed in the dive. In open circuit scuba, the air is supplied by a tank or other source, and once inhaled, is exhaled into the surrounding water. It is the most common type of scuba used for recreation.

In closed circuit scuba, the air is recycled though the use of devices called rebreathers, and oxygen is reintroduced into the air supply of the diver by an apparatus. In semi closed circuit scuba, mixed gases are used as the air supply, taking part of the air exhaled by the diver as well as adding to it with an air supply similar to that used in open circuit scuba. Semi closed circuit scuba is more difficult to learn than open or closed circuit scuba diving alone, because it involves knowledge from both types of diving because the breathing apparatus used is a fusion of the two.

Scuba diving clubs and other organizations offer lessons in scuba diving in an effort to expand the growing popularity of this sport. On a more professional level, some of these organizations even offer advanced scuba lessons which allow trained scuba divers to expand their repertoire and go diving in conditions and environments which are otherwise restricted to other divers who don't possess the training to handle them. Here are some of the prerequisites for diving, as well as some of the advanced scuba courses that experienced divers can take.

Prerequisites - any and every scuba diver must have skills in swimming, obviously. Aside from this, however, a scuba diver must have had training and experience in snorkeling, which forms the basis for some of the techniques used in scuba diving. If you want to take up scuba diving as a sport but don't know how to snorkel yet, then take up snorkeling first before taking a course in scuba.

Regular Scuba Certification - this trains a person in the basics of scuba diving, allowing operation in shallow water and near shorelines, and is mainly used for training scuba divers who undertake the sport for purely recreational purposes. For a vast majority of people who take up the hobby, this is enough.

Open Water Scuba - this is for scuba divers who operate out of sight of the shoreline. They will have to take a boat to get to the dive area, so skills in operating a boat are part of the prerequisites for open water scuba diving. Open water scuba usually involves diving to greater depths than a regular diver, and divers who use this method need special equipment like floater buoys to let other boats on the surface know that there's a diver in the spot, as well as underwater line markers, reels, and underwater floaters for underwater navigation.

Rescue Scuba - this is a special training course that focuses on rescue operations for other divers. Those who usually take it are employed in the search-and-rescue business. Training includes first aid, obviously, as well as underwater techniques for getting people out of hazardous situations like underwater caves. There is also training in the use of specialized equipment used in such rescues.

Deep Dive Scuba - this is scuba diving in extreme deep water conditions, and includes training in the use of equipment for operating in high pressure depths. Deep dive scuba is extremely dangerous and not recommended for casual divers who are taking it as a hobby, since in some cases it involves descending to depths that feature water pressures that would physically crush a person wearing regular scuba gear. Naturalists usually take this training up as a way to study sea-bottom dwelling life forms, and geologists and oceanologists likewise take it up for studying underwater formations like volcanoes and rock fissures.

Hazardous Area Scuba - this type of training specializes in teaching scuba divers advanced forms of safety in scuba diving. The diving skills required per se don't differ too much from the levels of skill involved in regular scuba, but additional training is given for allowing a diver to explore hazardous area that are usually restricted to regular divers. Some examples of hazard areas include shipwrecks, coral reefs infested with toxic life forms, shark infested waters, and underwater caves. While not for the regular hobbyist, some of the more serious scuba divers take this up for thrills.

Instructional Courses - this type of scuba course teaches a scuba diver how to teach other people to scuba dive. It also features training in basic first aid to help injured pupils, as well as tutorials in buddy systems that are required for helping noobies along underwater. Obviously, a certificate in basic entry level scuba diving is a must for taking this course up, though no proficiency in the more advanced courses is required since this mainly focuses on teaching others the methods of recreational scuba, and not professional scuba.

Going Scuba Diving?

2007-08-25T07:39:00.001-07:00

Who wouldn't want to explore the world under the sea? Mankind has always been fascinated with life underwater. Because of this great fascination, extensive researches and amazing inventions have given us the chance to breathe underwater so we can observe or simply have fun in dealing with aquatic animals.

However, breathing underwater isn't just simply bringing a tank full of air with you when you dive. There are many things that you need to consider. Staying underwater is totally different from living on land.

For one, humans don’t have the gills that can extract oxygen from the water. Air pressure is also significantly different from water pressure. The human body isn't adapted to high pressure changes. Controlling your buoyancy and avoiding losing body heat when underwater are also major considerations.

Fortunately, probably everything that a scuba diver needs to safely explore the depths of the ocean is available. There’s the mask, snorkel, fins, regulators and diving suits to name just a few. These equipments allow the diver to breathe, control their position and stay warm underwater.

To breathe underwater, a scuba diver wears a metal tank full of compressed air. A regulator is attached to this tank, which adjusts the air pressure to match that of the surroundings so the diver can breathe comfortably. The regulator delivers air through a mouthpiece which the diver uses to inhale and exhale. Breathing through your mouth comes naturally, so you don’t need to add that to your worries.

Another hose is attached to a regulator to control the diver’s buoyancy. It is attached to an air bladder which is adjustable. Since the diver wears this as a vest, adding air into it would make him more buoyant, and thus, he rises. When he releases the air, the opposite happens.

These buoyancy compensators also help a scuba diver achieve neutral buoyancy. When you are in neutral buoyancy, you can stay at a constant depth without much effort. This minimizes gas consumption due to swimming.

Divers also wear lead weights as a belt to allow them to descend and stay underwater. The weights are evenly spaced to achieve proper balance. During emergency situations, a diver can just quickly release these belts to rise to the surface.

A diver’s suit is really incredible. It is made of compressible substance, thus when you descend, it reduces the volume, and when you ascend, it expands. They are very helpful in conveniently controlling one’s buoyancy.

A suit can also provide thermal insulation. A wetsuit, for example, is usually made of neoprene that has poor thermal conductivity, which minimizes body heat loss to the surrounding water.

Another way which a driver’s suit can reduce loss of body heat is by trapping a layer of water between the suit and human skin. The wetsuit is very well sealed at the neck, wrist and legs thus water flow rate is reduced. This technique in reducing heat loss is known as convection, which is the same principle used in the concept of semi-dry.

A drysuit on the other hand keeps the diver dry, as apposed to a wetsuit. Frigid water couldn't possibly penetrate a drysuit. Preferably, drysuit undergarments are also worn for better insulation. A drysuit keeps thin air layers inside that helps keep a diver warm.

Of course, to be able to familiarize yourself better with these scuba diving gears, it would be best if you get yourself a certification by passing a scuba diving course. In the course, you’ll not only learn about these equipments, you’ll also be taught how to adapt to diving.

During the course, student divers learn how to achieve neutral buoyancy. Through various swimming exercises, they will learn how to control their breathing rate. A diver should know how to breathe in a slow but continuous manner.

At the end of the course, you are expected to know some safety procedures in diving, such as how to clear your mask if in case water leaks in, how to avoid any mishaps while underwater, and of course, learn to help a fellow diver in need. Conventional hand signals are used underwater to communicate since divers don’t have another way to talk to each other.

By being a certified diver, you could refill your air tanks, buy scuba diving gear and scuba dive anywhere in the world. Scuba diving businesses require this certification as proof that you can well manage yourself underwater.

Things to Know About Night Diving

2007-08-25T07:38:00.001-07:00

Scuba diving is currently one of the most popular aquatic activities. It is a great activity for anyone who wants to be united with nature. It also opens a totally new perspective on how we view ourselves in relation to our surroundings.

The opportunity to dive under water is also a very invigorating activity. Since it is a different world, it seems like all of your problems are solved once you get to see the teeming life under the blue façade of the seas.

The nature below the surface of the water changes as the sun says its goodbye and as the moon starts to glow. Actually, most advanced divers would prefer to go on a night dive rather than a day dive. Why? Because at night, the sea is totally transformed and there are things underwater that you can only see at night. It’s like seeing all the high-rise buildings illuminate the happy streets of a city.

The beautiful scenery at night is something to look forward to. It is when all the nocturnal creatures become alive, giving the seas a different glow and color. Groups of minute organisms also reflect the light from the moon and create an effect that can't be recreated by any natural or artificial means. The seas really come alive at night.

However, you should remember that night diving is only for experienced divers. It is most definitely not a walk in the park. The normal risks that a diver exposes himself to during day dives are enhanced at night. The darkness of the night also poses additional risks that aren't present during the day.

We shall try to discuss some of the things that a diver must remember before night diving. If you are a beginner, you will want to read on so as to give youself some basic ideas on how to properly prepare and execute a night dive.

1. Rest well and eat well

Diving at night is physically more imposing than day dives. The coldness of the water will give a diver more stress plus the fact that the natural body clock is signaling the body to settle down and rest. Make sure that you have enough carbohydrates in your body to keep your body temperature stable under water. Carbo-loading can be done 2 days before you enter the water.

2. Orient yourself with the diving area

Aside from visiting the diving area beforehand, you can also opt to do a day dive on the same spot where you will be diving at night. This move lowers the risk of being lost at night and will give you more mobility because you are comfortable with the area.

3. Always have a night dive buddy

Perhaps the most important tip that you should remember is that you should never ever dive at night without a companion. Even if it's not night time, you should also have someone to dive with you. Your diving buddy is your only hope against the wrath of the seas if something goes wrong. And, having a buddy will also make the experience more meaningful.

4. Get the right dive light

Essential equipment for night diving is a dive light. When choosing a dive light, you should consider the burn time, the beam width and the depth rating of the dive light. In terms of burn time, you should make sure that you fully recharge your battery if you are using a rechargeable one or bring extra disposable ones if you are using those.
Your maximum depth should also be lower than the rating of your light.

5. Get some glow sticks

Glow sticks are very useful underwater. You should attach some glow sticks to your air tank, or perhaps wrap them around your legs and arms so that you and your buddy can clearly see each other.

6. Know the rules

You can’t go around diving at night anywhere you want. Make sure that you inquire about the local regulations about diving at night.

Nothing beats diving at night. With the proper preparation and precautions, you should have nothing to fear and will look forward to seeing the majestic night seas.