Scuba Diving sounds exciting but I’m not sure if it’s for me. Can I try it without signing up for a course.
Absolutely. Most Centres allow you to make a shallow scuba dive supervised by an Instructor after a short session to familiarize you with the equipment and some techniques.Is it hard to learn to Scuba Dive?
It is easier that you imagine. You don’t even need to be a great swimmer, just along as you are a reasonably proficient swimmer who is comfortable and relaxed in the water.
How long does it take to become a certified diver?
Some people learn faster than others, everyone is different. Courses may be scheduled over as little as three or four days, depending upon student needs and logistics. You can easily become a certified diver during a one-week trip
Do I have to meet any special qualifications or considerations before I can participate in a scuba class?
No, diving is a sport for both sexes and all ages of 10 years and up. So the whole family can enjoy this sport together. All you need is to be of average fitness and have that sense of adventure.
How long does the certification last?
Your diving certification is valid for life although it is recommend that you keep in practice. What a good excuse to have a diving holiday at least once a year.
Do I have to be a great swimmer to become a diver?
No. All you need to be is a reasonably proficient swimmer who is comfortable and relaxed in the water.
What's in a scuba tank?
Recreational divers breathe air, not oxygen. It's filtered to remove impurities, but otherwise, it's the same as the air you're breathing now.
How long does a tank of air last?
Unfortunately there is no single answer. People breathe at different rates, and you breathe faster when you're swimming than when you're resting. Also, the deeper you go, the faster you use your air, and you can get different size tanks. So, the answer is 'it depends;' this is why divers have a gauge that tell them how much air they have at all times.
I'll run out of air underwater?
Highly unlikely. You have an air gauge that clearly shows when you're running low. Even if you should run out, your dive instructor will teach you what to do and how to swim to the surface.
Is scuba diving expensive?
Scuba diving is the same as any other hobby where you can invest as much as your pocket and interest allows. Most dive centres rent equipment, you can invest in equipment over time. To pick an average, most people find the costs of scuba diving similar to those associated with snow skiing.
Is scuba diving dangerous?
No, but there are potential hazards, which is why you need proper training and certification. Statistics show that recreational scuba diving is about as safe as swimming. Like driving a car, as long as you follow the rules and use common sense, it's pretty safe.
The pressure will crush me?
You won't go deep enough for the pressure to crush you, but it does affect the gas inside your body. Pressure at depth is one of the key lessons of a certification course.
I'll go too deep and won't be able to come up?
There's no need to go deep, and it is quite easy to avoid doing so. Open-water divers are not supposed to go more than 18-20m below the surface. At that depth, you can easily see the surface and swim to it, even if you're out of air.
Even advanced amateur divers aren't supposed to go deeper than 40m. Leave the Titanic exploration to the guys with submarines.
I'll get trapped on a fishing line
Not likely, but if the idea really bugs you, carry a dive knife or a pair of line cutters, both available from dive shops.
I'll get the bends
Not if you pay attention in class. For beginners, the safety margins built into diving are so conservative that decompression sickness is extremely unlikely. Almost without exception, people who get themselves in trouble know they're doing something they shouldn't. So don't be one of them.
I'll be attacked by moray eels, bitten by barracudas, stung by stingrays
Not unless you attack them first. These creatures just want to be left alone. Virtually all aquatic animals are passive or timid. There are a few that can bite or sting defensively, but you can avoid these simply by watching where you put your hands and feet, and by not touching any animal you don't recognize. Most people who have bad encounters with them are swimmers or paddlers who can't see where they're going. Wear a mask and the ocean is yours.
I'll get stung by jellyfish.
It can happen. It burns, then it itches. Then it gets better. But that's one reason you wear a wetsuit. Really dangerous jellyfish are extremely rare.
I'll be eaten by sharks
You'll be surprised by how shy most sharks are. They don't like that big noisy bubble-blowing tank you wear on your back. Odds are that if you encounter sharks, and if you have a camera, you'll be the one chasing them.
Divers aren't natural prey for sharks, so shark attacks are very rare -- more people die each year from bee stings than shark attack. You are more likely to be attacked by a cow or pig than by a shark.
BE SAFE STAY OFF THE FARM
AND
GO DIVING
AND
GO DIVING
I need vision correction. Is that a problem?
No. Wearing soft contact lenses shouldn't be a problem while you dive. However, if you wear hard contacts, you'll want to dive with gas permeable lenses. See your eye doctor for more information. Another option is to have prescription lenses put into your mask.
My ears hurt when I go to bottom of a swimming pool or when I dive down snorkeling. Will that keep me from becoming a scuba diver?
No, assuming you have no irregularities in your ears and sinuses. The discomfort is the normal effect of water pressure pressing in on your ears. Fortunately, our bodies are designed to adjust for pressure changes in our ears – you just need to learn how.
Does a history of ear troubles, diabetes, asthma, allergies or smoking preclude someone from diving?
Not necessarily. Any condition that affects the ears, sinuses, respiratory function, and heart function or may alter consciousness is a concern, but only a physician can assess a person’s individual risk. Physicians can consult with the Divers Alert Network (DAN) as necessary when assessing a scuba candidate.
What are the most common injuries or sicknesses associated with diving?
Sunburn and seasickness, both of which are preventable with over the counter preventatives. The most common injuries caused by marine life are scrapes and stings, most of which can be avoided by wearing an exposure suit, staying off the bottom and watching where you put your hands and feet.
I am pregnant can I still dive?
It is recommended that women avoid diving while pregnant or trying to become pregnant as little is known about the effects of diving on the foetus.
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