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