An Explanation Of Scuba Diving

Information A Beginner Needs Before Starting A Scuba Diving Career

Nov 4, 2008

SCUBA stands for Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. This system allowing humans to breath underwater was developed by Jacques Cousteau in 1943.

Scuba diving is a popular and fast growing sport. Since Jacques Cousteau developed a way for humans to breathe underwater, millions of people around the world have taken the plunge and marvelled at the aquatic world beneath the waves.

Scuba diving is a multi-billion dollar international industry. Once considered a “macho” sport dominated by men, scuba diving is gaining in popularity for all ages and gender. The only requirement is a good standard of health, a spirit of adventure and a love of the sea.

Scuba Dive Certification

As in any sport, there are risks in scuba diving, so the sport is closely controlled. Before exploring the underwater world, a prospective diver must do a comprehensive course to learn the basic skills and theory.

There are three international organisations that offer scuba diving training and certification:

Scuba certification is needed to go diving with dive shops, buy certain items of scuba equipment and get scuba tanks filled.

These scuba training organisations have affiliated dive shops throughout the world. Each shop is usually individually owned but offers scuba diving training to the standard set by one of the scuba training organisations. As well as providing scuba diving training and certification, these shops arrange dive trips and scuba holidays and sell and repair the range of equipment needed to dive safely.

Following basic certification, each dive training organisation has further training courses covering specialities like underwater photography, deep diving as well as training for Instructors and Divemasters.

The equipment needed for scuba diving is expensive, but most dive shops and dive operators will have equipment for hire so it is not necessary to outlay much money to commence a scuba diving career.

Scuba Dive Resort Course

One way to start exploring the underwater world is by doing a “resort course.” This is a short course where a novice is taught the basics of scuba diving, followed by a pool session then an easy open water dive with the instructor holding the diver’s hand.

Most dive shops and resorts offer these courses. They are a great way to experience scuba diving, without having to spend time and money on full certification.

Some resorts offer full scuba diving training and certification. This takes a little longer, but a beginner can walk away from their holiday with a certification allowing the holder to dive anywhere in the world.

Risks Of Scuba Diving

Like most sports, scuba diving has an element of danger and there are risks. Most risks are associated with breathing air at depth, such as the Bends. However, management of these risks are well known and covered extensively in the scuba diving training.

Many new divers worry about underwater munchies and things with sharp teeth. However, the chance of being the next statistic of a shark attack are so remote that they are almost impossible. A group of scuba divers in the water, all floundering around blowing bubbles and making strange noises is enough to scare off any self respecting shark.

Some marine stingers, like the box jellyfish and irukandji jellyfish can kill. From October to May, they are common along the coast of northern Australia, but are rarely found on the reef where the majority of scuba diving is carried out.

Scuba diving is a safe and enjoyable sport if done in accordance with correct procedures and adequate training. There is a great environment to explore under the waters of the world’s coastlines.

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