Many adventurous people are thrilled by the idea of going deep below the surface of the ocean to a world that few will ever see with their natural eyes. There they can see marine life first hand, explore exotic plants, and experience extreme temperatures depending on dive locations or ocean depths. If this sport seems like something you would love to take part in, there are a few steps you need to take first.
First and foremost is to become certified. When diving, you are not only responsible for yourself, but for your partner as well. Like hiking or mountain climbing, you always need to have a partner. Check out your local YCMA or an independent business in your area. The instructors should be certified by the National Association of Diving Instructors (NAUI) or the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI). Finding a skilled instructor for scuba diving is the same as finding a good mountain climbing instructor. When your life depends on something that’s as thick as a piece of rope, then you want to make sure your instructor is up to the job of teaching you everything you need to know to stay safe.
Next is to find the gear that you need. Before buying everything that the local diving store attendant deems to be a necessary purchase, you might find that your certification classes will provide you with certain pieces of equipment and only require you to buy certain others. When you do have to decide whether to continue renting or to purchase, then buy the equipment that makes you feel most comfortable. Purchase skin contact items like a quality mask, fins, snorkel and boots first. Then, move on to pieces of equipment that you have comfort preferences for. This will ensure that you always have the equipment that suits you best.
Last is to complete your open-water dives. You will be required to successfully perform five of these dives. Most diving agencies will have you start your lesson in swimming pools while you learn how to tread water and bringing a tired diver to shore. Your open-water tests will be carried out in a large body of water where you will be asked to perform all the skills you’ve learned. Consider this to be the scuba diving equivalent of a driving test. You spend the required hours in the pool and then take an instructor out in the water with you for the “real” test.
Once you are certified then you can jet off around the world if you want and start diving in exotic places like the Red Sea! Just remember that if you go a long time without diving (6 months or so) that you may need to have a refresher course before you put your own, and other people’s lives at risk by getting into the water again.