Next of the facts about scuba diving is that you need specific diving apparel to protect your body and allow you to swim easily. Such apparel includes wetsuits, gloves, hoods, computer watch, etc. The next fact about scuba diving is that nearly anyone can be certified for scuba diving. More than one million people get certified for scuba diving each year. As long as you can put on a heavy tank filled with compressed and dive down deep, you can become certified.

The next of the facts about scuba diving is that the diver must make a decision on what type of underwater adventure would be preferred. You could dive in warm or cold water, or explore locations of shipwrecks. If you are on a cruise or in other specific instances, you may not have to get certified before going scuba diving. In cruises to the Caribbean, Acapulco, and the Florida Keys, you can get a one day crash course on scuba diving before you go exploring.

Breathing-wise, you need to be able to breath solely through your mouth. This is one of the most important facts about scuba diving, because otherwise you won’t be able to stay under water. When it comes to equalizing, you need to know how to “pop” your ears. When you go deep in the water, there is a lot of pressure that builds up in the ears, and so you must “pop” your ears in order to equalize the pressure. To do this correctly, you will need to consult your scuba instructor or a doctor.

The last of the facts about scuba diving is knowing whether you have any physical conditions that might limit your ability to scuba dive. Such conditions include being overweight, fatigued, having diabetes, heart conditions, or any other ailments, and prone to drowning. It is always a good idea to get a physical done by a doctor before scuba diving. For information on purchasing scuba diving apparel and equipment or finding scuba diving lessons, start searching online. You are sure to find everything you need.

Sharks and eels are probably the two creatures that strike fear into the hearts of most people when they think about scuba diving. But, actual attacks are very rare and your chances of getting killed or hurt are slim. Still though, you do have to think about what would happen if you were diving and came face to face with an angry shark. Your wet suit wouldn’t do anything to protect you against those teeth. So, think about that long and hard before you jump off that boat next time.

Though it is a scary thought, perhaps that’s the appeal for many scuba diving fanatics. Not only do you get to see the amazing underwater life, but you are also in a constant state of threat that something could go wrong at any minute. But, diving isn’t the only hobby that’s fraught with danger, think about rock climbing, bungee jumping and white water rafting. People love these activities for the thrill and the high they get. So, scuba diving probably isn’t any different and you get the added bonus of seeing vibrantly colored fish and exotic sea creatures as well.

Before you set off to go scuba diving, make sure you’ve been well trained. Take a class from a professional so you will know exactly what to do and when to do it. It’s always good to learn this way so you’ll know what to do in case of an emergency as well. Buy a quality wetsuit and other diving essentials and you’ll be a diving pro in no time!

There are about five international training centres in Hong Kong, including the founding agent IANTD and PADI. Several points should be considered when selecting a training centre: equipment availability and standard, insistence on reasonable and correct training procedures, the experience of the technical diving instructors, and the opinions of ex-students. Though cost could be another point to consider, the difference of a hundred or a thousand dollars is meaningless compared with the value of your life.

The course structure of a technical diving course is similar to a recreational one in that everyone starts from a basic level, even if you are a qualified instructor or experienced diver. The technical deep dive course comprises three different levels under the IANTD and PADI systems. The basic course is named Advanced Nitrox Diver (IANTD) or Apprentice Tech Deep Diver (PADI). It teaches the student the benefits, hazards and proper procedures to dive to a 45m depth using high content oxygen for rapid decompression. It is important to strictly follow the time and safety stops procedures for surfacing, otherwise decompression sickness (the Bends) could result. If a diver spends 30mins at a depth of 45m, they will need an extra 40minutes for decompression.

After finishing the basic course, the student can move on to the Technical Nitrox Diver (IANTD) or Tec-Deep Diver (PADI). In this course, the student dives as deep as 55 meters with two oxygen-rich tanks (one is pure oxygen) for decompression. The 30-minute deep dive practice at 55m will necessitate another 50 mins for decompression. Apart from the deep dive practice, the student thoroughly studies the high pressure impact on the diver and psychological changes and works on improving posture and buoyancy control technique.

The final course is Trimix Diver. The diver uses a combination of low oxygen, low nitrogen and high helium gas mixtures for an 80m dive. This gas mix is essential for such a deep dive as ordinary pressurized air places negative impacts on the diver’s body at depths of more than 55m. The 21% in air after 55m depth will cause the diver to conrulse and even lose consciousness – this is oxygen toxcity. Inappropriate usage of the trimix gases, however, will also cause problems; therefore, specialized training is a must.

All the technical diving courses include lectures, pool work and deep water practice. The ratio of instructor to student is much lower than in recreational diving courses in which one instructor handles 3 to 4 students and the ratio is even stricter for certain courses, to account for the more complicated nature of the course.

Scuba diving can be an amazing experience and one – for obvious reasons – that many find themselves addicted to after just the first time. But diving safely depends not only on the skill of the diver, but on the dependability and proper use of extensive scuba diving equipment.

The first layer of scuba diving equipment is that which covers the diver. The wetsuit, made of a thin layer of synthetic rubber and lined with nylon, forms a protective barrier between the diver and the water. The diver’s skin is kept completely dry and the material of the wetsuit actually traps body heat against the skin guarding against hypothermia. It is important, for this reason, that the wetsuit be as snug as possible against the diver’s body. In addition to the wetsuit, the scuba diver also wears flippers as part of their scuba diving equipment that allows them to maneuver effortlessly through the water.

Of course, the scuba diving equipment that most people associate with scuba is the oxygen tank. The oxygen tank is the most essential piece of scuba diving equipment as it allows the diver to stay underwater for extended periods of time. The oxygen tank is carried on the back of the diver; its size depends on the length and time of the dive. Most tanks also include equipment that allows the divers to closely monitor the amount of oxygen they have left so that they can resurface safely.

The facemask – another piece of scuba diving equipment – is placed over the mouth, nose, and eyes of the diver. Oxygen is pumped into the mask allowing the diver to breathe. The mask also enables the diver to see underwater without obstruction.

Scuba instruction of any kind will include comprehensive lessons on the safe and effective use of scuba diving equipment. It is imperative that scuba divers – beginners and veterans alike – use their scuba diving equipment respectfully and in complete accordance with operating instructions. Using these safety measures will ensure your safety and the rest is pure enjoyment.

Scuba Diving Safety Rules:

Get proper training

Being comfortable underwater will go a long way towards having a safe dive. Proper training is one key to being comfortable underwater. The beginning of proper training is to get your open water certification. If you go diving in caves, caverns, wrecks, etc., you should also have the proper training for this type of dive.

Never dive alone

Always dive with a buddy no matter where you are. This is key. When you do dive with a buddy, keep an eye on him/her to make sure everything is OK (and hopefully they are doing the same). If something happens, that buddy can be the difference between life and death. Never violate this rule. Also do a pre-dive equipment check with your buddy.

Be in good physical shape

You don’t have to be a triathlete but you should be able to swim and take the stress of diving. A physical exam is a good idea before diving.

Don’t hold your breath

Remember to always breathe slowly and in a relaxed manner and to exhale fully. Don’t take short, shallow breathes and never hold your breath.
Holding your breath underwater can lead to lung injuries and worse, in the extreme case.

Ascend slowly and with control

As you ascend you are ridding your body of nitrogen in your tissues and bloodstream. If you ascend too quickly, you risk decompression sickness. Always do a safety stop at 15 feet for at least 3 minutes after deeper dives. After your safety stop, do not propel yourself to the surface either. Ascend that last 15 feet very slowly also.

Check your equipment

Checking equipment is especially important if you are renting. If you own your regulator and haven’t dove in a while, it should also be serviced to make sure it is working properly. Do a check of the regulator hoses also.

Relax

Being relaxed and comfortable underwater is key to a successful dive. If something happens, stop, breathe, think and act. Do not panic and rush to the surface. But observing this safety rule could be key to a safe dive.

Plan your dive and dive your plan

You will hear this in your training (or you should) and you should follow this advice. Prior to going under, you and your buddy should know the max depth you will go, the amount of bottom time you’ll have and how much air you will start to ascend with. Check your air supply often. You should also agree on the hand signals you will use to communicate underwater.

This is just the beginning of scuba diving safety rules. However, if you follow the above list you increase your chances of a safe dive.

Next, you save money on hotel or resort accommodation because since that you are living on the dive boats, there will be no need for hotel or resort bookings. Furthermore, you do not need to hunt for expensive meals in your hotel or resort since all liveaboard scuba diving packages will include delicious meals which will also mean that you will be probably having very fresh and delectable sea food caught by the crew while you are enjoying your cruise or are scuba diving.

The highlight of your liveaboard Bali vacation is that you can dive in many exotic dive locations instead of only the dive spots near where you stay. This is because since that you need not return to your resort or hotel to retire for the day, the liveaboard dive yachts will cruise away to far flung scuba diving locations while you are sleeping. This again saves you time and best of all, you get to save more money by diving in more places for the same price.

Visit one of Bali’s most interesting street on the way to Pemuteran & Menjangan North West Bali which will also include a stopover in View Point Restaurant Sanda. You will scuba dive in Pemuteran House Reef & Reef Project or Secret Bay in Gilimanuk. Your liveaboard boat will cruise to Menjangan Island. You will be diving at the National Park, Walls, Anker Wreck, Coral Garden, buffet lunch on the white powdery sandy beach of the island. The boat will then land and send you to the north coast and visit a well kept secret Waterfall and a hot spring.

Scuba diving activities will be at Amed Tulamben or Secret Spot, Drop Off, Liberty Wreck Dive (American battle ship sunk during WW2) & some wall diving. Some land excursion to enjoy the view of Bali’s world famous terraced rice fields in the morning. Then your liveaboard yatcht will take you diving at the Blue Lagoon & White Beach. There will also be a night dive at the Blue Lagoon. Continue your Bali vacation by cruising to Gili Mimpang & Gili Tepekong or Gili Biaha for fantastic dive sites.

More scuba diving activities at Gili Biaha or Nusa Penida or Nusa Lembongan. The sea at these diving locations could be rough at times, so the dives would very much be dependant on the weather. However, if the weather allow, you will be scuba diving in one of the most breath taking underwater scenery in the world. More scuba diving at the Blue Lagoon, White Beach and the Channel and then off to Bali airport to your next scuba diving adventure.

Way to learn to scuba dive is to do so while on holidays in resort islands such as Phuket, Mauritius, Tioman, etc. Firstly, you are in a totally relaxed mood. Secondly, the waters are clear and the environment creates a wonderful and beautiful atmosphere. So the next time you want to pay a sum of money upfront for a full diving course certification, save it for your resort trip. Normally, participating in the beginner diving course is enough for you to get started.

The certified instructor will explain everything you need to know about pressure underwater, equipment, and other practical tips you need to be aware of when you are in the water. Obviously, there will be a full demonstration of the basic skills. Once you have fully understood, you are now ready to get ready to put on your scuba gear. Usually, you together with other participants will be grouped together and stay at a point in the pool where you can have full view of what he is saying.

You will probably start first with breathing exercises and regulator recovery at the surface. After that, you will be asked to kneel on the bottom of the pool and start breathing. This is necessary for you to get used for being underwater. The instructor will then ask that you try out each of the skills taught which include complete mask clearing regulator recovery and buoyancy control. Once students are ready, they will be asked to demonstrate these skills. After this, the instructor will allow the students to swim around near the pool bottom to get used to the equipment and breathing.

Everyone is comfortable with their equipment, breathing techniques, etc when the practice at the pool is considered complete. This also means that you can now get a chance at your first open water scuba dive. This normally takes place from a boat in clear waters or shallow sites where it is easy to handle. Usually, the instructor will highlight the importance of some common mistakes or ways to improve your diving skills. He will probably also encourage you to obtain a full certificate in open water scuba diving. This is arguably the best way to learn to scuba dive.