| Adventures take us into the unknown. While most | | | | and your skin, your body heat warms it - providing a |
| people think of outer space as the "final frontier," | | | | natural insulation against the surrounding cold water. |
| there are large areas of land on our very own planet | | | | Some people prefer dry suits, which keep the water |
| that we haven't even explored yet. Underwater | | | | out altogether, but these suits are more expensive. |
| excursions are only for the adventurous with a desire | | | | You should only consider using dry suits if you are |
| to find hidden splendor, exciting monsters and test | | | | deep-sea certified and diving to depths of more than |
| their own physical abilities. However, the only way | | | | 100 feet. |
| that we can explore our wondrous depths is with the | | | | When divers breathe oxygen at certain depths, they |
| help of scuba equipment, which helps us breathe and | | | | are at risk of decompression sickness. Commonly |
| maintain comfort underwater. | | | | known as the bends, this illness arises when you |
| The term scuba (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus) | | | | breathe oxygen while underwater and surface too |
| emerged during WWII for frogmen who would | | | | quickly. The oxygen absorbed in your body expands, |
| maneuver underwater with the help of an air-tank | | | | causing nausea, dizziness, and death. During |
| during underwater combat. Famous diver Jacques | | | | certification, you will learn the proper way of |
| Cousteau had a hand in developing the compressed | | | | surfacing, but there are dive computers that make |
| oxygen tank that we associate with modern scuba | | | | the process easier. Electronic dive computers will alert |
| equipment. | | | | you of how far you have gone and long you should |
| Despite the numerous benefits of the sport, scuba is | | | | take to decompress before resurfacing. Although |
| very expensive. It's a good idea to rent equipment | | | | dive computers are a luxury (you don't need them |
| before making any rash decisions. Besides offering | | | | with the help of waterproof tables), they certainly |
| good introductory prices for beginners, rental places | | | | make it easier to stay safe. |
| usually have knowledgeable staff that will point you | | | | Finally, every diver should use a quality face mask. |
| toward the best equipment based on your needs. | | | | Scuba masks allow you to view the mysterious |
| The most important thing to think about when diving | | | | depths around you while providing an airtight seal |
| is comfort; a wetsuit will provide the most comfort | | | | around your eyes/nose so water can't get in. The |
| when underwater. Underwater environments are cold, | | | | best-quality masks have segmented lenses for your |
| so unless you're diving in tropical waters at the | | | | eyes with a separate nose pocket for customized fit. |
| warmest time of year, chances are you're going to | | | | With a clear field of vision, silicone skirt, comfortable |
| need a wetsuit to keep warm. Wetsuits are made | | | | nose pocket, a high-grade, flexible silicone strap, and |
| from an open-cell material called neoprene and nylon. | | | | a comfortable nose pocket, these masks are your |
| By trapping a thin layer of water between the suit | | | | best bet when it comes to underwater comfort. |