Your Scuba Diving Questions Answered

Scuba diving is a world-wide pastime enjoyed by many people from all walks of life. Scuba divers are not limited to being near an ocean. Many divers can recreation at local lakes and have even taken the sport of Spelunking and added their own twist by diving in caves. There is a lot to know when it comes time to decide whether or not you want to learn how to dive. This article will cover some of the basics of diving and hopefully by the end, you will know whether or not this sport is for you.

What is scuba diving?

Scuba diving is a sport that allows people to don protective gear and oxygen tanks in order to explore depths of oceans and lakes that they would not be able to access normally. The excitement of exploring an underwater world is one that appeals to many people. It is not overly expensive and can make a great vacation for many adventure seekers. It can also be used to help others through rescue diving and discovering underground rivers.

Scuba diving was initially developed for underwater warfare in World War II and was used by the armed services. It then developed into a way to explore the ocean and discover new underwater creatures, life-forms and plants.

What does scuba stand for?

In most cases the word "scuba" is not spelled as it should properly be. The actual word is an acronym, a word that is made up of initials for a phrase. The proper word is S.C.U.B.A and stands for Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. It actually applies to the gear that is used to dive.

What are the different types of scuba diving?

Typical scuba diving uses a tank of compressed air. This allows the diver to stay submerged longer than if they were free-diving or snorkeling. There are also diving methods using specialized gear that allows reaching greater depths by using a different breathing system as well as a special type of suit to resist the compression from the ocean's differing atmospheres of pressure.

There are a variety of types of scuba diving ranging from cave diving and ice diving. The specialty forms of diving require additional instruction as they are more dangerous and require further education in order to dive safely.

What type of gear do I need?

The type of gear you need depends greatly on the depth and type of diving you will be doing. For typical scuba diving you will need a set of fins to propel you and a set of weights to keep you at the depth you wish to maintain. Other equipment that is necessary is: snorkel mask, a buoyancy control device, air tanks (at least 3000 psi of clean air), and regulators. Each piece of equipment plays an important part in keeping you safe. It is very important, prior to each dive, to check over the equipment carefully to ensure that it is working properly and is in good shape. Diving can be dangerous if proper precautions are not taken.

How expensive is the gear?

Gear can be the greatest expense associated with scuba diving. The gear cost depends on what type of diving will be done. The typical recreational diving gear can be purchased for usually less than five hundred dollars and can also be rented from local marinas or scuba shops. For more dangerous diving or prolonged underwater diving, such as that done for marine research, special tanks and gases are needed as well as diving suits. Diving suits, depending on whether they are wet or dry, can vary anywhere from a few hundred dollars and go upwards from there. Costs will also vary where you are renting or buying the equipment from. It is important to buy from a reputable dealer because your life is at stake. Take the time to research the type of gear you will need before "jumping" in.

What are some of the dangers associated with scuba diving?

This is not meant to scare you away from diving but there are some serious repercussions for those that are unaware of the dangers associated with diving. A person can easily drown if their regulators fail and they inhale quantities of water. Pressure exerted by the water environment can also cause fatal injuries if the pressure is not regulated properly. If the air tanks do not contain the proper mix of gases, then the body does not receive the proper amount of oxygen it needs to stay functional. It is for these reasons that instruction on diving and equipment care is absolutely essential.

Can I scuba dive without a license?

There are some individuals who do not choose to have a scuba diving certificate. Those that do are taking their lives into their own hands. It really is not so much a license as a certificate that shows you have been taught the basics of underwater safety and know how to use the equipment. Rental shops usually require proof of diving certificate in order to be able to rent equipment. In the case of vacationers who do not have a scuba diving certificate there is usually a beginner's class with certified instructors teaching how to dive properly and what safety procedures must be adhered to.

How do I get my scuba diving license?

If you live near a body of water, chances are there are instructors listed at the local marina or equipment rental shop that offer classes. The classes usually begin before even stepping foot into the water. The instructor teaches the proper safety precautions and hand signals used by divers underwater. The next step is short trips into the water to teach proper breathing regulation. This is also the time that a good instructor will help teach his or her students what to do in case of an emergency as well as any dangers that can present themselves while diving. In most cases there is a test given while in the water to actually verify that the student has attained the knowledge to dive and then one given written to ensure that safety rules and equipment knowledge has been successfully attained by the student.

How can I become an instructor?

The first step is to become certified as a regular diver. Then you have to take classes and log a certain amount of hours underwater. There are different classes of diving and each one requires more instruction. The classes and hours, not to mention the cost of equipment and equipment maintenance will be more expensive the higher you go. The advantage is that it will open up new possibilities in diving that would have been previously unavailable to you.

Are there jobs for people who like to scuba dive besides being an instructor?

Yes there are a variety of jobs for certified scuba experts. Some of these are as rescue personnel, wreck divers and even as an underwater photographer. Many law enforcement divisions employ search and rescue divers in case of accidents or when they need to have a river, lake or pond dragged for evidence. When you reach the Master Diver level, the opportunities begin to open up.

Where are some of the best spots to scuba dive?

Most divers will agree that the Caribbean offers prime diving places that are often not as dangerous as other areas. The Australian Reef and Belize are beautiful places to dive due to the clear water and spectacular undersea flora and fauna. The best way to find great places to dive is to join an organization or ask other divers. They can give advice on places to rent equipment or even dive tours for that area.

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