Discover Scuba Diving

Scuba diving is an act of entering the water and remaining below for recreational purposes or for working. Diving without mechanical aids have peen practiced since the ancient times for harvesting pearls and sponges.

For centuries, people discovered and created devices that enable a person to stay underwater for longer periods. A device such as the diving bell was tried since at least the 4th century BC. Aristotle even mentioned devices that will enable a diver to breath underwater. However, such devices were not developed until the 18th century.

For years, people developed devices to give divers maximum protection and freedom of movement underwater. Augustus Siebe invented one such device. This device is consisted of a leather jacket fitted to a metal helmet into which, air is pumped from the surface through a flexible hose that is attached to the helmet.

During the World War II, Jacques Yves Cousteau developed the Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus or SCUBA, hence, the term scuba diving/diver. This apparatus enables you to breathe underwater without the use of long hose to pump air from the surface. This means more freedom of movement for the diver. Jacques Yves Cousteau’s design is the basis of today’s diving equipment.

Today, scuba diving is one of the most popular activity people try.

If you are interested to try scuba diving as a profession or for recreational purposes, you must undergo training from certified instructors. Agencies such as the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) and Scuba Schools International (SSI) are some of the scuba diving certification agencies that exist today.

A resort requires a certification or a license before you can actually go scuba diving. The reason for this is that, this will ensure them that you had the proper trainings and techniques that you will use underwater.

Usually, the first scuba diving courses will include academic training, confined-water training and open-water training.

- An academic training will provide you with the basic principles and knowledge you need for a safe and enjoyable diving.

- Confined-water training takes place on swimming pools or any environment similar to the swimming pool. In this training, it will teach you the basic skills in diving.

- Open-water training will be your first time to dive at open sea. This training allows you to demonstrate your mastery of your underwater skills and practicing them in a typical diving situation.

A scuba certification has no set amount of hours required for completion, meaning a scuba certification is performance based. Usually, recreational scuba diving training has an estimated time frame completion of 3 to 4 days.

When choosing a dive instructor to certify you, it is important to ask yourself these following questions:

• Who is the instructor?

• How long has he/she been an instructor?

• What kind of certification courses they teach?

• How many people have they certified already?

• Does the instructor have certified knowledge of first aid/CPR?

A good instructor should have an extensive experience-teaching scuba certified courses. An instructor who has certified at least 30 people would be a good choice. To choose an instructor, ask around first. It is a good way to find reputable diving instructors.

Once you engaged one, contact the certifying agency where the instructor was trained to make sure that he or she has the necessary certification for a scuba diving instructor.

After successfully completing the trainings required, you now have the proper knowledge and skills you need to have a safe and an enjoyable dive.

Always remember that scuba diving is a social activity. So, it is always a good idea to invite a dive buddy along your trips. A dive buddy also ensures your safety, as he will be your spare equipment if one of your scuba equipments malfunctions.