| Everybody has a lifetime of experiences that | | | | the major training agencies can be completed in |
| determine the way that we perceive things. In | | | | about 4 days. Will you know everything there is to |
| addition, other people are more than happy to impart | | | | know after 4 days? No! Will you know enough to |
| their views as well. This means that, quite often, we | | | | start to enjoy the amazing underwater world in a |
| get a rather skewed view about something before | | | | safe manner? Yes! |
| we have ever experienced it. This can serve to keep | | | | 5. I am not fit enough |
| us out of trouble; however, it may also stop us from | | | | Do you need to be a fitness fanatic to be a good |
| doing things we might otherwise want to do. Below is | | | | Scuba Diver? No. Like anything, it is always easier if |
| a non-exhaustive discussion around some of the | | | | you take care of yourself and are in good shape. In |
| things that might be barriers to people having a go at | | | | the water, we are weightless; the whole point is that |
| Scuba Diving. Hopefully, it is a balanced perspective | | | | it is supposed to be a relaxing way to spend your |
| that might serve to correct some misconceptions. | | | | leisure time exploring the undersea world. |
| 1. Its cold in the water | | | | 6. I am too old |
| It is true that the body loses heat in the water much | | | | You can learn to dive form age 10 to well into |
| more quickly than in air. However, just as you would | | | | retirement. But as mentioned above, although you |
| not go out in winter without your coat, hat and | | | | don't need to be a fitness fanatic, you do need to |
| gloves, there are many exposure protection suits | | | | have general good health and energy levels. So if you |
| that are used by Scuba Divers. Modern materials that | | | | are 70 and still in good health, you can still learn to |
| reflect the heat back to your body mean that these | | | | dive! |
| can now be lighter weight and less cumbersome than | | | | 7. There are sharks in the water |
| in the past. In very warm tropical waters, a shortie | | | | In most of the popular dive areas the local guides |
| wetsuit (short arms and legs) will provide adequate | | | | have more of an idea where to spot them (or not |
| thermal protection. If the water is cooler, a full length | | | | spot them if that's what you want!) but like anything |
| wetsuit can be used. The ultimate protection is | | | | else in the water, there is no guarantee of seeing |
| offered by a dry suit. This, as the name suggests, | | | | them. There are of course, areas in the world where |
| keeps you dry and you can wear warm thermal | | | | they are known to be more common, (like South |
| clothing underneath it to keep warm. So, if properly | | | | Africa for example) where hundreds of divers flock |
| dressed, just like going for a walk in the fall, you can | | | | to have a special close encounter with these amazing |
| actually keep warm and enjoy the dive. | | | | creatures. Unfortunately, films like 'Jaws' have given |
| 2. It's too expensive | | | | people the misconceived notion that sharks are highly |
| Like most things, you can spend a fortune if you | | | | aggressive and 'eat people' on a regular basis. This, of |
| want to. You can pop down to your local dive shop | | | | course, is not true; in most cases of shark |
| and pick all of the most expensive kit, then book | | | | encounters, the shark is swimming away from you! |
| yourself onto a 'trip of a lifetime' holiday. However, at | | | | They are afraid of us and will only act in defence. |
| the other end of the spectrum there are many | | | | 8. I am not a great swimmer |
| active student dive clubs whose members get by on | | | | You do not need to be a great swimmer to scuba |
| a relatively small budget. For everyone, there will be | | | | dive. For your own safety, as the sport takes place |
| the right place on the scale. Dive clubs often offer | | | | in and around water, it is important that you can |
| low cost training, the trade off is that it can take a | | | | swim and are reasonably comfortable in the water. |
| long time to complete the training. Dive centres are | | | | However, you do not need to be an Olympic |
| more costly, but it is what they do, all day, every | | | | swimmer to enjoy scuba diving. The equipment that |
| day. There is usually a bit of one-off expense up | | | | we use for scuba diving helps us effortlessly glide |
| front (initial training plus basic kit), it really is then up | | | | through the water. |
| to you how much you want to spend on the sport. | | | | 9. I am claustrophobic |
| 3. Learning to dive is difficult | | | | Don't panic, like many things you just need a bit of |
| When teaching diving, we find that most of the skills | | | | time to get used to the equipment. Once in open |
| that are perceived by students as 'difficult' are just | | | | water most people find that far from being |
| because of preconceived ideas. Teaching children is | | | | claustrophobic, the experience is liberating and free. |
| easy, they don't have a lifetime of preconception, | | | | 10. The theory is too hard |
| plus they generally don't tell each other that things | | | | Learning to dive is a mixture of practical and |
| are hard. The first thing to tell people on a course is | | | | theoretical exercises usually conducted in small groups |
| to forget everything that anyone has told them | | | | with an instructor. In most of the entry level courses, |
| about what it's going to be like. Everybody has their | | | | you will be able to learn in a number of different |
| own experiences, everybody is different. It is | | | | ways, for example, if you know that you understand |
| exceptionally rare for anybody not to complete a | | | | things better visually, you can watch a DVD or CD |
| diving course. Keep an open mind and be positive. | | | | ROM and can even complete all of the theory online. |
| 4. The training takes a long time | | | | If you prefer to read the information there are |
| This myth stems from many years ago when | | | | manuals and if you learn more easily by writing things |
| recreational diver training was based on military | | | | down, there are questions and quizzes for you to |
| training. Now the two, very different, activities have | | | | complete. Information is provided progressively, the |
| moved apart and the modern recreational diver | | | | basics first then this is gradually built upon. The |
| training agencies have worked hard to make sure | | | | emphasis of any dive course theory is, as you might |
| that the right amount of knowledge is delivered to | | | | expect, safety. Your instructor will be on hand to |
| students at the right time. Learning is prescriptive, | | | | help you with anything that you don't understand. |
| and skills are learned by doing and practicing them. | | | | The content of this article is the writer's opinions and |
| The ideology now is very much to get divers into | | | | should not be relied upon. Always make sure that |
| the water more quickly, in a safe and controlled | | | | you seek professional instruction before engaging in |
| manner, such that they can build experience and | | | | scuba diving activities. |
| learn. Most of the introductory diving courses from | | | | |