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