| Have you noticed, we're seeing a lot of scuba diving | | | | feet, a diving watch, tanks and regulators. You might |
| clubs and training schools opening up everywhere - | | | | want to use a diving wet suit, and carry a knife. |
| even in the northern states. | | | | Other gizmos and gadgets such as global positioning |
| S.C.U.B.A., an acronym that stands for 'Self Contained | | | | devices, floatation devices, surface balloon markers, |
| Underwater Breathing Apparatus', allows a scuba | | | | etc., can be postponed. |
| diver to enjoy sustained visits to the wonderful and | | | | Filling your air tanks can be done locally, or you might |
| unique areas of our oceans, lakes, and rivers. The | | | | want to get your own compressor to do it yourself. |
| only thing that even comes close to scuba is | | | | Keep in mind it takes a special type of equipment to |
| snorkeling - but snorkeling is usually enjoyed from the | | | | fill an air tank. You cannot take your tanks to the |
| top of the water looking down. | | | | nearest gas station and fill them up with air from the |
| Although scuba diving is most often considered a | | | | car tire air hose! Oil and all kinds of other impurities |
| sport, there are some other vital applications. Scuba | | | | must be filtered out before the air is considered to |
| diving plays an important role in such occupations as | | | | be of a sufficient quality level to breathe. |
| forensics, underwater construction, and underwater | | | | Proper control of descending and ascending various |
| salvage - to name a few of the big players. | | | | depths of water is required, and will be an important |
| Scuba diving equipment has come a long way since | | | | part of your instruction. |
| the beginning of this activity. Thrilling TV programs | | | | Once you are underwater, everything above and |
| such as Jacques Cousteau and his underwater work, | | | | land-based is left behind. You have before you an |
| and the series 'Sea Hunt' starring Lloyd Bridges (an | | | | alien world of sea creatures, fish, and -- the unknown. |
| action adventure, fiction show from the 60's), have | | | | It is the 'unknown' that might keep some aspirants |
| played a significant part in bringing scuba diving to the | | | | out of the scuba diving environment, but it is the |
| attention of the general public. | | | | same 'unknown' that draws many into the sport! |
| Contrary to what you might think, the first step in | | | | Stories of treasure, and sunken ships of old, and |
| learning to scuba dive is NOT to purchase a load of | | | | great sea monsters lure many to the sea -- and keep |
| equipment. Instruction from a professional diver | | | | others away! |
| before undertaking scuba diving is all-important. | | | | Whatever your reason, scuba diving is like nothing |
| Contact your local YMCA (or similar organization listed | | | | else you can do on this planet. Each spot you lay |
| in the yellow pages of your phone book), to arrange | | | | your foot is generally untouched by other humans. |
| for the professional instruction they offer. Then rent | | | | You truly 'Go where no man has gone before!' |
| your equipment to do some weekend scuba diving. If | | | | My advice? Just do it! Take the challenge and |
| you find that you truly enjoy the sport, go ahead | | | | experience it for yourself. You have a great |
| and purchase the equipment you need. | | | | adventure to gain - and maybe a fortune! |
| Basic equipment includes a mask, 'flippers' for your | | | | |