| Scuba diving opens up an adventure that's | | | | Schools International, or SSI. All three provide classes |
| unimaginable for those with land legs. The wonders | | | | to get divers started on a hobby that's incomparable in |
| that lie beneath the water's surface are amazing. From | | | | adventure.Basic classes start off with classroom |
| the oceans and lakes to hidden caves and more, | | | | instruction to help students become familiar with the |
| those who scuba see things that can only be imagined | | | | gear. This includes tanks, gauges and so on. Once |
| from the land.Those starting out with scuba are not | | | | students are comfortable with the gear, it's time to put |
| only advised to take classes, they're generally required | | | | it on. Swimming with scuba gear is not like jumping in |
| for rental of tanks, purchase of air and so on. Diving | | | | the water in simply a suit. It's a whole new experience |
| isn't something that's picked up in 20 minutes either. In | | | | that requires some getting used to. This is where most |
| fact, even experienced divers continue to take lessons | | | | schools will do "pool dives" to help acclimate students |
| or even prefer to teach them to help themselves stay | | | | to the gear and its feel underwater.Pool dives can be |
| on top of the game. Remember the world underwater | | | | done right in a school's own facilities, but oftentimes |
| does not belong to humans, so a solid understanding of | | | | community pools are used. It is during this part of the |
| how to survive is vital.With proper use of diving | | | | lesson that potential scuba divers are born and those |
| equipment such as facemasks and air tanks, humans | | | | who might not find the sport to their liking will begin to |
| can descend into the world where sharks and whales | | | | discover this. Scuba is a serious sport that requires |
| rule; a place of shipwrecks, corral beds, colorful fish | | | | knowledge and understanding for safety.Many diving |
| and more. But this world is inhospitable and requires a | | | | schools will offer starter courses that continue for |
| keen understanding for safety.Those starting off will | | | | anywhere between four and eight weeks, depending |
| find the road to underwater depths takes some time | | | | on teaching style. Each lesson is important before |
| to master. Recreational scuba divers generally stick to | | | | recreational diving is attempted without an instructor |
| depths of 130 feet or less. Training for this is not as | | | | present. In addition to diving, they generally include basic |
| intensive as deep water diving since these dives don't | | | | first aid and CPR.After students are familiar with gear, |
| generally require decompression stops. When required | | | | understand how it feels, and are adept at reading its |
| these stops help the body pressurize to the new | | | | instruments, many schools will offer real dive |
| environmental conditions. Gravity has a new feel on | | | | excursions for beginning divers. These are valuable to |
| the body under water than it does on land. Just like | | | | attend and they give the first real glimpse of the world |
| riding in an airplane, an adjustment period is required.For | | | | that awaits beneath the water.Scuba diving is not a |
| those new to scuba, three different scuba certification | | | | sport to be jumped into without careful preparation and |
| agencies might be run into. The Professional | | | | classroom experience. For those who want to simply |
| Association of Diving, or PADI, is perhaps the best | | | | undergo recreational training, the depths of 130 feet |
| known. Then there are the National Association of | | | | more than suffice to see some great sights. |
| Underwater Instructors, or NAUI, and the Scuba | | | | |