| If you are not sure if you would like scuba diving, a | | | | - How to control your buoyancy so you are not |
| scuba diving resort course could be the answer. You | | | | bobbing up and down underwater (this takes |
| take a few hours (depending on the resort) and learn | | | | practice) |
| the basics of diving and then do a dive in the ocean. | | | | You may be on information overload at first, but just |
| Chances are the resort you are staying at in the | | | | relax. You will get it. Even if you don't understand |
| Caribbean will offer this introductory course. If you're | | | | everything, you can still have an enjoyable dive. |
| staying at an all inclusive Caribbean resort, scuba | | | | The instructor taking you out on your resort course |
| diving resort courses are sometimes included in the | | | | dive should limit your dive to a depth of 30 or so |
| price. Even more of an incentive to try it out. | | | | feet. This way you will not get "the bends" if you |
| You will have to check your particular resort but | | | | surface too quickly. However some instructors are |
| scuba diving resort courses usually involve the | | | | lax on enforcing this rule. You may have to be your |
| following: | | | | own police. Most operators are responsible but |
| - Fitting you with the scuba gear you'll need | | | | always be aware of your depth. |
| - A brief lecture on the basics of diving | | | | My husband dove to almost 70 feet during one of his |
| - Some pool time to learn how to use the equipment | | | | scuba diving resort courses (before he was certified). |
| - A dive in the ocean either from shore or off a boat | | | | This is crazy. The risk of getting hurt is just too |
| The time spent on the lecture and in the pool can | | | | great. No one without the proper training should go |
| vary from one to several hours. I would say they | | | | that deep. He knows that now! |
| typically last 2-3 hours. | | | | Don't let this scare you. The vast majority of people |
| Depending on the resort, the open water dive | | | | who take scuba diving resort courses do so without |
| portion of the course may be included or you may | | | | incident. Many go on to become certified divers. You |
| have to pay extra. My friends have paid anywhere | | | | could be next. |
| from $0 to $45. Equipment is usually included in scuba | | | | So if you are unsure about scuba diving, resort |
| diving resort courses. | | | | courses are a great place to get an introduction to |
| You will (or should) at a minimum learn: | | | | the sport. It doesn't require alot of time or money to |
| - How to clear your mask | | | | get a feel for whether you will like diving or not. |
| - How to clear your ears as you descend | | | | After one course and a few hours getting to know |
| - How to breathe underwater (a useful skill) | | | | the sport, you'll probably know if you want to |
| - How to signal that you are OK | | | | continue. |
| - How to signal that you are out of air (which should | | | | If you try it out on your next tropical vacation, I'm |
| not even be a possibility in scuba diving resort | | | | betting you won't regret it. |
| courses) | | | | |