| Scuba diving is a wonderful sport, and although it | | | | the course you're considering has to offer, and if |
| requires a lot of specialized equipment, it's relatively | | | | possible make sure that the instructor is fully certified |
| easy to get certified. There are some basic things, | | | | to teach scuba diving. It's important to get both the |
| though, that you need to have in place if you want | | | | best and the safest scuba diving training you can |
| to get scuba diving certification. Scuba diving is fun | | | | possibly get. |
| and exciting, but it can also be dangerous. When | | | | Many schools run programs that give you a |
| you're a long way underwater, there's not much | | | | recognized certification, such as a PADI (Professional |
| room for error. | | | | Association of Diving Instructors) qualification. You |
| Firstly, you need to be able to swim. This may seem | | | | can take this most places in the world and be able to |
| obvious, but it's important that you are a reasonably | | | | scuba dive there. I used mine in Egypt! Other |
| strong and competent swimmer. Most scuba | | | | programs, however, may not give you any sort of |
| certification requires you to be able to swim around | | | | recognized certification, in which case you might be |
| 200 yards competently with any type of stroke. You | | | | better off training elsewhere. |
| should also be able to tread water or float for ten | | | | One thing is really important - if at any time you don't |
| minutes. It's also important that you're in good health | | | | feel safe and comfortable, don't dive. Practice your |
| if you want to scuba dive. Overall health is one | | | | scuba diving skills extensively before venturing |
| factor, but you also need to be in good health on the | | | | anywhere you're not sure about. If you're repeated |
| day of the dive. Scuba diving with a head cold is | | | | your skills numerous times, then it's easier to react |
| definitely a bad idea, and can lead to problems such | | | | sensibly if something goes wrong. If there's anything |
| as a burst eardrum. | | | | you don't understand, get the instructor to repeat it. |
| If you're looking for a scuba diving school or class, | | | | It's better to ask a lot of questions and get it right, |
| start by asking friends and family, or try asking at | | | | than end up with poor scuba diving skills. |
| your local YMCA or community center. Find out what | | | | |