| There is nothing quite like scuba | | | | diving. You first experience confined |
| diving. I remember my first scuba dive. | | | | dives and then open water dives. |
| I was visiting Tobago with a friend and | | | | Confined dives take place in a pool or a |
| I decided on the spur of the moment that | | | | shallow body of water. The first time I |
| it was something I wanted to do, so I | | | | put on the equipment and went in the |
| went to the local dive shop and signed | | | | water we were just waist deep. Once you |
| up for the class. There were only three | | | | have mastered confined dives and proven |
| of us going on the dive, and the two | | | | yourself to your instructors you will |
| others accompanying me were fully PADI | | | | have the opportunity to go on open water |
| certified, so they didn't need any | | | | dives with the instructor. |
| instruction. That particular dive | | | | Where you will be diving will make the |
| required that I have classroom lessons | | | | decision for you as to what type of |
| that lasted 4 hours. There was a lot | | | | equipment you are going to need. As my |
| that the instructor explained to me | | | | dive was in the warm Caribbean waters I |
| during that time like how to use the | | | | didn't need any type of wet suit. I wore |
| equipment, what decompression is, what | | | | a BC vest. However, on deeper cold water |
| to expect, how to use the buddy system, | | | | dives you will want to make sure you are |
| etc. We did a confined dive first, the | | | | equipped with a dry suit that will |
| afterwards went out to the reef for the | | | | handle cold. |
| open dive. | | | | You'll need a good mask. One that seals |
| The dive itself was amazing and | | | | against your face well. A pair of |
| exhilarating for me even though it was | | | | booties and fins. You'll need a snorkel, |
| what is called a non-decompression dive, | | | | a buoyancy compensator vest and a |
| only to 40 feet. I had been a snorkel | | | | regulator with a gauge and a second |
| for years, but had never been that close | | | | mouthpiece. |
| to a reef and fish. | | | | You'll want to do a lot of research on |
| For those who crave more diving | | | | equipment before buying. As with most |
| adventure such as deep sea diving and | | | | things technology is constantly changing |
| wreck diving which would take them much | | | | scuba equipment. You'll want to talk |
| deeper in the water they would need much | | | | with friends and instructors as to their |
| more training, and PADI certification. | | | | recommendations. There is a fairly large |
| It's easy to learn to dive. Not as hard | | | | initial investment and you want to get |
| as you might think. PADI certification | | | | the best you can for the money you |
| can be obtained fairly easily, and at | | | | spend. You also want to make sure that |
| your own pace. There are books and | | | | you're comfortable in all the pieces of |
| videos that you can obtain to help you | | | | your scuba gear. If your mask isn't |
| through the course. Your instructor will | | | | tight enough and leaks, or if your fins |
| give you a short test at the end of each | | | | are too tight and rub your heels that is |
| course. After you have completed what is | | | | what your mind will be on instead of the |
| called knowledge training you start | | | | wonders of the sea. |