| Scuba diving is becoming an increasingly popular sport. | | | | 200 yards and float or tread water for approximately |
| And no wonder, no other sport allows you to explore | | | | 10 minutes. |
| the depths of the ocean. A beautiful underwater | | | | There are over 1900 scuba diving centers across |
| world awaits you with this exciting and challenging | | | | North America, so you should be able to find one |
| sport. Many however are not aware of the danger | | | | fairly close to your home. Make sure that the diver |
| that scuba diving with proper training and certification | | | | center is reputable, you can find lists of these |
| presents. If you have never gone scuba diving | | | | centers on the internet. Two of the certification |
| before and just want to try it out, then you may | | | | agencies, PADI and NAUI have listings on their |
| benefit from a resort course. If however, you would | | | | websites which can help direct you properly. Once |
| like to become a certified scuba diver, then you must | | | | you have chosen a dive center, make sure that their |
| complete an approved course and pass certification. | | | | instructors are certified with one of the major scuba |
| Resort courses are one or two day long classes that | | | | diving training agencies. You will be receiving a great |
| can be found at vacation destinations. They will teach | | | | deal of technical as well as practical knowledge from |
| you the basics and will allow you to try out scuba | | | | them, make sure they are certified to teach it! |
| diving (get your feet wet, if you will). You should | | | | Once you have found your instructor, there are a |
| then be able to do a very short dive with your | | | | few things that you can expect during the |
| instructor. There is a very low student to teacher | | | | certification process. There will be a great deal of |
| ratio so that they can keep a close eye on you and | | | | time spent in the classroom, learning technical skills |
| protect you from any dangers that may occur. | | | | and being tested to ensure that you have the |
| If you have already done a resort course and loved | | | | necessary knowledge. You will then move on to a |
| the feeling of being underwater, or if you want to | | | | pool where they will teach you practical skills for |
| just jump right in to scuba diving, a certification | | | | scuba diving. Finally, you will go on approximately four |
| course is a must. There are two things to keep in | | | | open water dives, this can be in a lake or ocean |
| mind when going for certification. The first is to get | | | | depending on where you study. This can all be done |
| clearance from your doctor. You will want to make | | | | in an intensive weekend (though you will have to do |
| sure that your body is in excellent condition before | | | | some reading before hand) or over a few weeks, |
| taking up this strenuous sport. You don't want to find | | | | depending on your schedule. The open water dives |
| out while you are hundreds of feet under water that | | | | are generally another two days. |
| there is a problem with your heart or lungs. The | | | | A lot of work goes into earning your scuba diving |
| other thing to keep in mind is that you must know | | | | certification. However, it can be one of the most |
| how to swim. It is not a requirement to know many | | | | rewarding experiences of your life. |
| strokes, however you should be able to swim about | | | | |