There is a world some see only in pictures, the underwater world filled with the wonder and mystery of the unknown. The reefs, the colors, the fish, and the pure enjoyment of discovery are only some of the reasons we scuba dive. Scuba divers have a quest for adventure; whether professional or for recreational purposes, and what better way to fulfill this quest than to do something people all over the world are doing, Scuba diving.

For some, the name itself conjures up images of the past where someone dressed all in black, with a large face mask, slides into the water, such as Jacque Cousteau, or someone from an old TV series called Sea Hunt. Is it any wonder that Scuba diving is vague to some? However, for those taking the first plunge into the world of diving, it will most likely be a first step into a lifetime of fun.

Take home a memory

Photography is another reason Scuba diving has become so popular. Combined with the proper tools, photos taken underwater are an achievement that could never be mastered without visiting the spectacular underwater world. For the explorer in all of us there is that drive that lures us to underwater caves and feeling the freedom and sensation that comes with diving.

Scuba diving, which stands for Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus, allows us, the graceful underwater swimmer, the opportunity to see how large and powerful the world below us actually is and with today’s equipment and proper education, almost anyone can dive. People all over the world have taken to the waters below, from ages 8 and up.

Whether you’re diving for recreation, or professionally, once you have made the decision to Scuba dive, you will find there is nothing as enjoyable as feeling the stir of the water while surrounded by eye-catching fish. There is nothing quite as thrilling as looking a fish square in the eye. And since two thirds of the earth is covered with water, you can explore your options. Maybe instead of a tropical coral reef, which isn’t often accessible to some, you choose something from a cold water environment, such as a lake or river. Although most divers prefer a tropical coral reef environment, there are those who prefer to dive in their own backyard, so to speak.

Even people with disabilities are finding underwater adventures accessible to them. According to some it can even help people with Fibromyalgia and other conditions if approached properly and given the training that is modified for people with physical disabilities.

Underwater diving is not new. Remember as a kid staying under water until you could no longer hold your breath? Or snorkeling while on vacation, hoping to see a coral reef or a brightly colored fish? Granted, this was not Scuba diving because it didn’t allow you to stay down for long periods at a time. But it was your first step toward the adventure. For years Scuba diving was considered a sport for those who could afford it, or for professionals. Today, however, it is a sport we can all enjoy.

If you would like to learn more about Scuba Diving

Then begin the adventure of a lifetime.

As long as people have been building boats and ships they have been sinking. And as long as people have been able to dive under the water they have been going down to look at these sunken ships. There is a magical and mysterious lure to that part of our history resting undiscovered on the bottom of the ocean. Scuba divers dive on wrecks for several reasons. Some seek treasure and profit. Some are professional or hobby archaeologists and are interested in historical information. And other divers just enjoy the excitement and adventure of visiting a ship wreck.

Safety is the biggest concern for all scuba divers but even more so for wreck divers. There is a risk of becoming trapped or lost in a wreck. Special training is available to scuba divers where they learn how to use special equipment. Reels of line are used to lay down a safe path through the maze of a ship wreck. Extra tanks of air are slung from the diver. Powerful underwater lights are required to light up the darkness. Wreck divers learn how to plan their dives so that they use one third of their air to reach the wreck, one third of their air to enjoy the wreck and return to the surface and hold the last third in reserve in case of emergency. Wreck divers have to especially cautious of hazards such as sharp and jagged metal.

Many recreational divers enjoy diving on artificial reefs. These are ships that have prepared and sunk on purpose in especially designated spots. Divers can practise their skills in the relative safety of a ship wreck that is well-mapped and sitting a safe depth. These ship wrecks are called artificial reefs because they soon become the habitat for corals, anemones and creatures of all kinds. Some artificial reefs will host up to four times their own mass in living creatures.

Most divers adhere to a policy of "non-disturbance" This means they do not interfere with the wreck or carry anything away. It is only fair to leave the ship wreck untouched so that other divers can enjoy it. But the environment soon starts to change the wreck. Breakers pound the metal or bust up the wood. Down deeper, currents carry away loose pieces and scatter them across the ocean floor. Even the creatures that make the wreck their home slowly start to break it down.

There is a compelling beauty to a sunken ship and great sense of adventure and challenge to learn the skills and become a wreck diver.

In case you are fixated on a method or way to learn to scuba dive, allow me to introduce you to the different ways to learn to scuba dive. One instructor may teach you in a pool. Another may take you by the hand and practice descending off a real boat in a real sea. Others will join a scuba diving club or register for a full course at the local dive shop.

A really enjoyable way to learn to scuba dive is to do so while on holidays in resort islands such as Phuket, Mauritius, Tioman, etc. Firstly, you are in a totally relaxed mood. Secondly, the waters are clear and the environment creates a wonderful and beautiful atmosphere.

So the next time you want to pay a sum of money upfront for a full diving course certification, save it for your resort trip. Normally, participating in the beginner diving course is enough for you to get started.

The course often starts at the pool. The certified instructor will explain everything you need to know about pressure underwater, equipment, and other practical tips you need to be aware of when you are in the water. Obviously, there will be a full demonstration of the basic skills.

Once you have fully understood, you are now ready to get ready to put on your scuba gear. Usually, you together with other participants will be grouped together and stay at a point in the pool where you can have full view of what he is saying.

You will probably start first with breathing exercises and regulator recovery at the surface. After that, you will be asked to kneel on the bottom of the pool and start breathing. This is necessary for you to get used for being underwater.

The instructor will then ask that you try out each of the skills taught which include complete mask clearing regulator recovery and buoyancy control. Once students are ready, they will be asked to demonstrate these skills. After this, the instructor will allow the students to swim around near the pool bottom to get used to the equipment and breathing.

The practice at the pool is considered complete when everyone is comfortable with their equipment, breathing techniques, etc. This also means that you can now get a chance at your first open water scuba dive. This normally takes place from a boat in clear waters or shallow sites where it is easy to handle.

Usually, the instructor will highlight the importance of some common mistakes or ways to improve your diving skills. He will probably also encourage you to obtain a full certificate in open water scuba diving. This is arguably the best way to learn to scuba dive.

Scuba equipment allows divers to explore many different water environments. Humans have had the desire to experience such underwater depths since before recorded history. This is known through numerous undersea artifacts which have been found in ancient civilizations. There have also been various depictions of divers which are dated back to these early times.

Of course, the most basic method of underwater diving was simply to hold one’s breath. After that, the least complex forms of underwater gear were hollow reeds. These were cut and used as a rudimentary form of snorkel.

In writings dating back to Ancient Greece, many references are made to expert diving skills used in warfare. There are also many acknowledgments of primitive scuba equipment and diving techniques. These include such things as sponge gatherers holding a heavy stone for a quick and deep descent.

At this time, the physical dangers inherent in the act of diving were not understood. Of course, the increased pressure demands were still felt. In an attempt to counteract these difficulties, oil would be poured into the ears prior to the descent. Some oil was also held within the mouth and spat out once the bottom of the water was reached. A tether was used to pull these sponge gatherers back to the surface quickly as needed.

Air hoses as well as crude diving bells have also been mentioned in Greek writing as far as breathing equipment goes. Thinly sliced and polished tortoise shells were used as goggles around the beginning of the fourteenth century. This was done by Persian divers.

What is regarded as the first true diving bell was created by Guglielmo de Loreno. It was created in 1535. He used it to complete the first one-hour dive.

It is true that several different cultures during different time periods developed their own versions of diving bells. These bells were the first rudimentary form of scuba equipment which allowed divers to travel completely under water with more than one breath of air.

It may interest people to know that humans are not the only species who have made use of such design! In fact, there is a spider known as the diving bell spider who lives underwater despite its need for breathing air. These spiders construct webs that are very similar to diving bells which provide for all their oxygen needs.