Scuba diving is a sport enjoyed by people from all walks of life. As long as a person is over 8 years old, is in a good state of health (this means no serious medical issues, people with physical disabilities can scuba dive) and is not afraid of the water, they can dive. A love of the ocean, a sense of adventure and a desire for exploration are usually some of the things that encourage people to dive.
Where can I learn to scuba dive? – These days it is pretty simple to find a place that offers instruction. Most classes start in a classroom and move to a pool so good places to look for a class includes community colleges, the YMCA, neighborhood pools and Scuba shops. In fact, the people who work in dive shops are filled with knowledge and scuba-lore and might be willing to share. (This is more that a fact, actually; scuba people love to talk about their experiences and are helpful with tips about diving). PADI (the Professional Association of Diving Instructors) has a wonderful site in which eLearning classes are offered. People can earn their PADI Scuba Certification online. Courses such as Open Water Diver, Dive Theory and Scuba Tune-up can be taken from the comfort of home.
What is the point of learning to scuba diver if I do not live near the ocean? – There are many points regardless of where a person lives. Michigan has shipwrecks in the Great Lakes, South Carolina’s Cooper River has million-year-old shark teeth, Texas has an underground missile silo that is flooded and waiting for exploration, other states have rivers, lakes and quarries; each with its own adventure. We do not all have to strive to become Jacques Cousteau; diving with friends is fun all on its own.
What about sharks? – What about them? Sharks have received bad names from Hollywood movies. Keep in mind, however, that most Hollywood movies are fiction. Many divers never even get a glimpse of a shark. That is why there are dive packages offered that are called, Cage Diving and Diving with Sharks.
Do I need to spend huge amounts of money for scuba gear? – No, you do not. While it is true that scuba diving can get very expensive, a beginner diver really needs just three things to get started; a snorkel, a mask and some fins. These items need to fit just right so it is best to own them. Everything else can be rented. If you choose to continue to dive, and want to own everything, purchase your gear a little at a time. You can always keep renting in the meantime.
Can I learn to dive at a resort? – If a vacation is in the plans before a certificate is, there is no need to worry. Many resorts offer diving instruction, especially places that are on the water such as the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Costa Rica and Mexico. Many beach resorts offer diving instruction from beginning levels to advanced levels. In Cozumel, for instance, divers can scuba dive in clear blue waters through world class coral reefs, interconnected tunnels and over gardens of swaying corals. The warm waters hover between a pleasant 78 to 82 degrees most of the year. Aruba offers PADI diving in a National Geographic Dive Center where diving packages can be purchased. Aruba is famous for shipwrecks and airplane wrecks so, sine Aruba is below the hurricane belt, exploring these sites is great year-round.
What about asthma? – A doctor needs to be consulted for medical conditions of any kind. You can also check out DAN, the Divers Alert Network, which is a nonprofit organization working with Duke University. Their job is to study and explain the requirements and demands of diving as it relates to health and medical conditions. People are often pleasantly surprised to find that they can scuba dive after all.