| There is nothing quite like scuba diving. I remember | | | | experience confined dives and then open water |
| my first scuba dive. I was visiting Tobago with a | | | | dives. Confined dives take place in a pool or a shallow |
| friend and I decided on the spur of the moment that | | | | body of water. The first time I put on the equipment |
| it was something I wanted to do, so I went to the | | | | and went in the water we were just waist deep. |
| local dive shop and signed up for the class. There | | | | Once you have mastered confined dives and proven |
| were only three of us going on the dive, and the | | | | yourself to your instructors you will have the |
| two others accompanying me were fully PADI | | | | opportunity to go on open water dives with the |
| certified, so they didn't need any instruction. That | | | | instructor. |
| particular dive required that I have classroom lessons | | | | Where you will be diving will make the decision for |
| that lasted 4 hours. There was a lot that the | | | | you as to what type of equipment you are going to |
| instructor explained to me during that time like how | | | | need. As my dive was in the warm Caribbean waters |
| to use the equipment, what decompression is, what | | | | I didn't need any type of wet suit. I wore a BC vest. |
| to expect, how to use the buddy system, etc. We | | | | However, on deeper cold water dives you will want |
| did a confined dive first, the afterwards went out to | | | | to make sure you are equipped with a dry suit that |
| the reef for the open dive. | | | | will handle cold. |
| The dive itself was amazing and exhilarating for me | | | | You'll need a good mask. One that seals against your |
| even though it was what is called a | | | | face well. A pair of booties and fins. You'll need a |
| non-decompression dive, only to 40 feet. I had been | | | | snorkel, a buoyancy compensator vest and a |
| a snorkel for years, but had never been that close to | | | | regulator with a gauge and a second mouthpiece. |
| a reef and fish. | | | | You'll want to do a lot of research on equipment |
| For those who crave more diving adventure such as | | | | before buying. As with most things technology is |
| deep sea diving and wreck diving which would take | | | | constantly changing scuba equipment. You'll want to |
| them much deeper in the water they would need | | | | talk with friends and instructors as to their |
| much more training, and PADI certification. | | | | recommendations. There is a fairly large initial |
| It's easy to learn to dive. Not as hard as you might | | | | investment and you want to get the best you can |
| think. PADI certification can be obtained fairly easily, | | | | for the money you spend. You also want to make |
| and at your own pace. There are books and videos | | | | sure that you're comfortable in all the pieces of your |
| that you can obtain to help you through the course. | | | | scuba gear. If your mask isn't tight enough and leaks, |
| Your instructor will give you a short test at the end | | | | or if your fins are too tight and rub your heels that is |
| of each course. After you have completed what is | | | | what your mind will be on instead of the wonders of |
| called knowledge training you start diving. You first | | | | the sea. |