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