| Scuba diving is a sport that can be enjoyed by just | | | | most common classification is the Recreational diver. |
| about anyone regardless of age. Be warned. Once | | | | These divers scuba dive merely for the enjoyment |
| you try it, you'll be addicted and spending all your | | | | of it or have an interest in exploring the underwater |
| vacations flying off to exotic destinations. | | | | world. |
| The term "scuba diving" comes from the expression | | | | The technical scuba diver is involved in diving as part |
| self-contained underwater diving apparatus. The term | | | | of his work. The training and equipment used by the |
| originated during World War II to describe the | | | | technical scuba diver is much more advanced than |
| rebreathing equipment used by navy frogmen. The | | | | the recreational diver. A branch of technical scuba |
| more common system was developed by Emile | | | | diving is Military scuba diving. Military scuba divers are |
| Gagan and Jacques-Yves Cousteau and is more an | | | | basically highly trained technical divers serving in the |
| in-line open circuit where gas, usually compressed air, | | | | military. There work could include such things as the |
| is breathed from a tank and exhaled into the water. | | | | removal of underwater explosives. |
| Some closed circuit rebreathing type equipment is still | | | | Another classification that falls between technical and |
| used, but the term scuba diving has come to | | | | recreational is the cave exploring scuba diver and the |
| describe the activity in common usage and is not | | | | cavern diver. These divers dive into caves and other |
| restricted to the equipment. | | | | underground structures for the purpose, usually, of |
| It is possible to receive several different types of | | | | exploring. This is considered one of the more risky of |
| diving certifications. Children between the ages of 10 | | | | the diving classifications. |
| and 15 can even receive a Junior Open Water Diver | | | | Another classification of scuba divers is the wreck |
| certification. Children that have reached the age of 15 | | | | explorers. These divers explore shipwrecks and |
| can qualify for the Open Water Diver certification. | | | | perform salvage and artifact recovery operations. |
| This is a 1st level certification that allows the holder | | | | Regardless of the classification or purpose of scuba |
| to dive with a buddy, but without professional | | | | diving, it is a sport and profession that requires great |
| assistance. | | | | attention to safety and adequate training. It also |
| Scuba diving is a rapidly growing and evolving activity. | | | | requires good and reliable equipment and the diver |
| There are already several different classifications | | | | needs to understand how to use and maintain this |
| used to describe the functional role of the diver or | | | | equipment. |
| the environment into which they dive. By far, the | | | | |