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