Mike Walker asked:

There are a number of important facts about scuba diving that you need to know. The first one is that you need to have a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus. These high pressure tanks that are strapped to the back of the diver, provide air to the diver that is regulated through a breathing device. This lets the diver go very deep in the water without worrying about coming up for oxygen.

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 thing that scares most people away from scuba diving is that breathing through the rubber tube connected to the air tank is the only way to stay alive that deep in the water. People have a fear that something will go wrong, but it is rare that something does.

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.

If you want to become a serious diver, you will need to know the mental and physical facts about scuba diving before pursuing the sport. Physically, you will need to look at your swimming, breathing, and equalizing abilities. You need to be able to swim well, not only for exploring, but also in case of an emergency where you need to be rescued.

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.

Scubaworld asked:

Thailand has one of the world’s most diverse marine habitats, with more than 300 major reef groups covering an area of over 4,500 square miles. From pinnacles and submerged rocks, through to stunning coral gardens and sheer walls, the scuba diving in Thailand has something to offer scuba divers of all levels of experience. It is this diversity in marine habitats and diving environments which attracts so many divers to the waters around Thailand every year, and today the region is one of the world’s most popular scuba diving destinations.

There are a number of major diving destinations in Thailand, all offering a wide selection of diverse dive sites. Throughout all of these major destinations is a network of well equipped, knowledgeable and experienced dive centres, offering a range of diving from leisure dives through to a selection of scuba diving courses.

It would be impossible to discuss Thailand, without looking at the scuba diving in Phuket and the surrounding areas. Without doubt, the diving in Phuket is of the highest standard, and the waters surrounding the ‘island’ host a number of excellent dive sites. However, the real underwater treasures of Phuket lie slightly further afield. Dive sites such as the Burma Banks, The Similan Islands and the Mergui Archipelago are often found high on the wish list of many discerning scuba diver and offer some of South East Asia’s finest dive sites.

The scuba diving on the Western Gulf of Thailand sees a different emphasis, and the small islands found here have become one of the world’s most popular areas to learn to scuba dive. In fact, the island of Koh Tao has developed a complete tourist industry from scuba diving, and today large numbers of would be scuba divers travel to Koh Tao every day to begin their diving education. Other islands within the Western Gulf of Thailand are also home to developed scuba diving industries, and destinations such as Koh Samui and Ko Pha-Ngan are both home to a large number of dive centres and excellent dive sites.

Throughout Thailand there are a number of exceptional dive sites, and sites such as the Richelieu Rock and Chumpon Pinnacle are widely acknowledged as being world class dive sites. However it is the sheer volume of excellent dive sites that makes Thailand such a popular destination. Destinations such as Pattaya, Krabi, Ko Chang and the Surin Islands are all home to a number of exceptional dive sites and dive centres.

Today, Thailand is one of the world’s most popular scuba diving destinations, and large numbers of scuba divers travel long distances to dive in the waters surrounding this stunning country. The sheer diversity of the diving on offer here ensures that there is something to cater for all tastes and levels of experience. From vertical wrecks, through to submerged pinnacles, from the largest sharks, through to the smallest nudibranches, the diving in Thailand has something for everyone.

Fred Geraldsten asked:

A cool fact everyone should know is that the majority of planet Earth is covered with water. So basically most of our planet is hidden under water. Why not explore this area and see what else is out there besides humans and land animals? The most elegant and untouched things lie in the world of the oceans and other bodies of water. It would make for a great vacation to discover these fascinating underwater mysteries. There are countless scuba diving holiday companies out there for your enjoyment. If you are a single man or woman it is a great place to connect with others who have your same interest in the adventure of finding new and exotic species living in the deep sea. If you have a family there is nothing better you can do to bring your family together then by going scuba diving and exploring the unknown.

There are several scuba diving holiday companies that go to the most remote and exotic places on Earth. Some of these beautiful places include; the Red Sea, the Mediterranean, the Bahamas, Kenya, Australia, Thailand, and Costa Rica. These are a few of the interesting and adventurous places most scuba diving holiday packages include. Research all of the different scuba diving holiday companies to see where they go. The cool thing about scuba diving holidays is that they are more luxurious than the normal vacation. Most travel companies provide a great hotel room in which to stay with fine dining and plenty of other amenities. So the reality is that you get to go to an out of the ordinary scuba destination and stay in beautiful accommodations as well. If you have a family, many are family friendly and offer lessons and activities for your children.

Most scuba diving holidays will include classes and equipment for you to rent or purchase. These classes you will teach you how to use the scuba equipment and the proper safety rules to follow to make your scuba diving holiday as safe and successful as possible. The classes are usually held at the diving destination. You will also learn about that particular underwater world and the different species of fish you may encounter. Some of these species may be protected and some you may be able to spear and have for dinner. There is nothing better than freshly caught lobster, crab or shellfish. Once you learn how to scuba dive it is an activity that you can include in future vacations.

Most people go on at least one really adventurous vacation in their lives. So if you are considering a vacation or a trip, think out of the box, think excitement, think adventure, think about discovering unexplored underwater caverns, think about scuba diving holidays. They will expand your world. You learn how to do a new sporting activity. You get to see things most people will never see in their entire lives and live like royalty while doing so. It is a different and exciting choice for those who are tired of the same old mundane vacation.

Michelle Bery asked:

There’s nothing quite as mysterious as that which is contained underwater. Since the beginning of time, man has attempted to explore the deep of the sea; to investigate the secrets it holds. The modern equivalent of this exploration is scuba diving - a one-man voyage that can yield enormous adventure. But before you can dive, you must crawl, so to speak.

Deciding whether scuba diving is right for you depends solely on your personality. If you’re someone who enjoys swimming, exploring, and adventurous activities, then chances are you will thoroughly enjoy scuba diving. However, in order to complete the training and scuba dive safely and successfully you must also be in good physical health.

If you have an interest in scuba diving you can get your feet wet through scuba instruction. In order to participate in scuba diving in open water, you must be trained and certified in scuba. You can find a host of training facilities in towns and cities throughout the world - regardless of whether or not you live near the ocean. Scuba diving instruction is given in indoor pools because of the controlled environment. But before water work even begins, students are given extensive classroom instruction to familiarize them with the essentials of scuba diving.

Once in the pool, the instructor will put the classroom instruction into practice, allowing students to practice techniques associated with scuba diving. Scuba diving instruction can take place over many weeks; it is imperative that students receive thorough training in order to ensure their safety. The culmination of training will be your certification in scuba diving. And you’re on your way.

Reputable instructors can certainly point you in the direction of finding scuba gear that will be essential for your dives. Equipment necessary for scuba diving includes a wetsuit, flippers, eye and face mask, and oxygen tank and accessories. You also have the ability to rent equipment prior to any dives; just be sure that you are taken out by scuba professionals who are reputable and experienced.

Scuba diving can be an unbelievable experience that will forever transform you. Take the steps necessary to ensure your safety and the rest is pure enjoyment.

Scubaworld asked:

Located on the western coast of the Thailand Peninsula, with its shores on the warm waters of the Andaman Sea lies the beautiful island of Phuket. The largest island off the coast of Thailand, the island of Phuket covers an area of just over 300 square miles, and is connected to mainland Thailand via a bridge at the north of the island.

For the past 25 years, the island of Phuket has catered for a large number of tourists from all over the world, a large percentage of whom are scuba divers looking to dive on some Asia’s finest dive sites. Today, scuba diving in Phuket is big business, and the island has a large number of excellent dive centres offering a number of diving services ranging from leisure dives through to the most advanced courses.

The Racha Islands, located off the Southern tip of Thailand are one of Phuket’s best dive sites, and the two islands offer excellent diving in crystal clear waters as well as the opportunity for big animal encounters. In particular, the smaller island, Racha Noi, offers some breathtaking underwater scenery, and is renowned for both whale shark and manta ray encounters.

The dive sites off Ao Phang-Nga, including the famous Shark Point and King Cruiser Wrecks, are widely acknowledged as being the best dive sites in the Phuket region. The waters around in and around Ao Phang-Nga are notable for the profusion of marine life, offering divers access to a range of marine life and coral which is unrivalled elsewhere in Phuket.

Phuket is also home to one of the worlds most developed liveaboard industries, with a large number of liveaboards offering diving in destinations such as the Similan Islands, the Mergui Archipelago and the Burma Banks. For scuba divers wishing to dive these more remote destinations, a Phuket liveaboard is the only realistic option for access. As such, the liveaboard industry in Phuket is a thriving and competitive business, with an increasing number of liveaboards operating from Phuket.

Further east lie the islands of Ko Phi Phi Don, and Ko Phi Phi Lae, a region characterised by the stunning topography of the amazing limestone cliffs. These islands are fringed with a number of hard coral gardens, as well as some excellent examples of soft corals, orange sea fans, sea whips and black coral.

Phuket is well deserving of its title as the ‘Pearl of the Andaman,’ and undoubtedly the region boasts some of Thailand’s best dive sites. As environmental issues such as marine conservation slowly work their way up Thailand’s political agenda, the future for scuba diving in Phuket looks a healthy one.

Peter Emerson asked:

Scuba wet suits were not taken seriously until World War II and
the advent of Navy Frogmen (SEALs) who became one of America’s
most effective weapons of the war. On any kind of measurable
basis, costs of operations versus costs of effectiveness,
man-to-man, or overall kill ratios, the SEALs exceeded
expectations on any level. Once recognized, the military put a
much time and money into improving the effectiveness of its
frogmen. That meant improving the design, effectiveness and
durability of wet suits.
There is a controversy that developed at the time over whether
or not wet suits had to remain dry. Sounds like a set up for a
joke but it’s not. All underwater, rubberized protective outfits
are called wetsuits. The controversy was over whether heat loss
from the diver’s body could be controlled better if the wetsuit
kept his skin dry or not. It was Hugh Bradner who is credited
with the first wet suit in 1952. Mr. Bradner was actually
working as a physicist at UC Berkeley’s radiation laboratory
where he was testing the reflections of shock waves on
unicellular material and was invited to attend a Swimmer’s
Symposium. His concept was that the diver’s skin does not have
to stay dry to prevent heat loss if the thermal insulation used
in the wet suit was obtained by air entrapped in the material of
the suit.
With the French invention of the Aqua-Lung, Self Contained
Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA) was used in the war and
afterwards spawned investigative teams exploring the ocean’s
many mysteries. As soon as this began, the pressing need for
wetsuits was made painfully obvious by the divers suffering from
hypothermia after only a few dives. The divers tried everything
from greased long johns to leftover Air Force survival suits,
and the Bradner wet suit. Bradner was the first to use a
unicellular material similar to the type he was working with in
the radiation laboratory in his wet suit. The material came from
a company called Rubatex and was called Neoprene and the
original model for today’s high-tech, three-level wet suit was
born

Tom Sample asked:

Scuba diving opens up an adventure that’s unimaginable for those with land legs. The wonders that lie beneath the water’s surface are amazing. From the oceans and lakes to hidden caves and more, those who scuba see things that can only be imagined from the land.
Those starting out with scuba are not only advised to take classes, they’re generally required for rental of tanks, purchase of air and so on. Diving isn’t something that’s picked up in 20 minutes either. In fact, even experienced divers continue to take lessons or even prefer to teach them to help themselves stay on top of the game. Remember the world underwater does not belong to humans, so a solid understanding of how to survive is vital.
With proper use of diving equipment such as facemasks and air tanks, humans can descend into the world where sharks and whales rule; a place of shipwrecks, corral beds, colorful fish and more. But this world is inhospitable and requires a keen understanding for safety.
Those starting off will find the road to underwater depths takes some time to master. Recreational scuba divers generally stick to depths of 130 feet or less. Training for this is not as intensive as deep water diving since these dives don’t generally require decompression stops. When required these stops help the body pressurize to the new environmental conditions. Gravity has a new feel on the body under water than it does on land. Just like riding in an airplane, an adjustment period is required.
For those new to scuba, three different scuba certification agencies might be run into. The Professional Association of Diving, or PADI, is perhaps the best known. Then there are the National Association of Underwater Instructors, or NAUI, and the Scuba Schools International, or SSI. All three provide classes to get divers started on a hobby that’s incomparable in adventure.
Basic classes start off with classroom instruction to help students become familiar with the gear. This includes tanks, gauges and so on. Once students are comfortable with the gear, it’s time to put it on. Swimming with scuba gear is not like jumping in the water in simply a suit. It’s a whole new experience that requires some getting used to. This is where most schools will do “pool dives” to help acclimate students to the gear and its feel underwater.
Pool dives can be done right in a school’s own facilities, but oftentimes community pools are used. It is during this part of the lesson that potential scuba divers are born and those who might not find the sport to their liking will begin to discover this. Scuba is a serious sport that requires knowledge and understanding for safety.
Many diving schools will offer starter courses that continue for anywhere between four and eight weeks, depending on teaching style. Each lesson is important before recreational diving is attempted without an instructor present. In addition to diving, they generally include basic first aid and CPR.
After students are familiar with gear, understand how it feels, and are adept at reading its instruments, many schools will offer real dive excursions for beginning divers. These are valuable to attend and they give the first real glimpse of the world that awaits beneath the water.
Scuba diving is not a sport to be jumped into without careful preparation and classroom experience. For those who want to simply undergo recreational training, the depths of 130 feet more than suffice to see some great sights.

Chris Chew asked:


Despite a series of terrorist bomb attacks in 2002 and 2005 killing hundreds of tourists and locals hitting the tourism industry hard for short periods, the tropical Indonesian island of Bali is still attracting many vacationing tourists.

Tourists are attracted by the island’s rustic charms, mystical culture and tradition, spectacular tropical sceneries and beautiful white sandy beaches. Many of these tourists are also scuba divers and are in Bali for scuba diving. After all, Bali was voted by several scuba diving magazines as one of the top ten dive location in the world.

Bali have many scuba diving locations where awesome underwater landscape and marine creatures abound. Let’s take a tour of some of Bali’s diving destinations.

Sanur and Nusa Dua - These 2 dive spots are located just 5 minutes away from the shore and therefore are very accessible. Beginners and novice divers will enjoy diving here because of the very gentle current. Visibility depending on seasons is low to moderate. Although hard corals are scarce, the many species of colorful fishes made up for the shortfall. Soft corals and sponges can also be found thriving on the reefs.

Nusa Penida and Lembongan Islands - Drop off reef diving is the main attraction on these islands. It is a 45 minute speedboat ride to the islands. Water visibility is rated as good because the islands are further away from the coast and therefore less polluted. The current here is very strong and experienced divers can enjoy drift diving. Sometimes the current may get too strong and dives may be abandoned.

There is a very good variety of hard corals, colorful sea gorgonian fans and many huge pelagic fishes to see. Highlights of diving here are sightings of huge schools of sweet lips fish, huge hawksbill turtles, sharks and giant manta rays.

Amed and Jemeluk Beach - These dive spots are one and half hour from Denpasar, a popular tourist town. Only experienced divers can dive here because of the strong current. The dives here can be very spectacular because of the long coastal reef, reef slopes and wall diving. Water visibility is moderate to good. This diving location is reputed to be the home of the best hard coral community in Bali.

The Padang Bay - This dive scuba diving location in Bali have a flat bottom seabed and is made up mixed reef and sandy bottom. Because of its close proximity to the shore, the water visibility is rated at best to be moderate. The attractions here are frequent sightings of large triggerfish and blue-spotted stingrays.

Tulamben Wreck Dive - For those who enjoy shipwreck diving, then this is the dive site in Bali that you must not missed. Water visibility here is fair to good and the current is generally gentle. Night dive on this wreck is described by many divers as spectacular.

The wreck was the USS Liberty, sunk in World War 2 by Japanese submarine torpedoes 1942. Since the wreck is so near the beach, scuba divers can simply swim to the wreck from the beach.

These are merely some of the many scuba diving destinations in Bali. For more excellent diving sites, you can check out with the many scuba diving operators when you are in Bali.

Michelle Bery asked:


Scuba diving, like any other skilled activity, must be learned before it can be mastered. So, for those who have a desire to take to the ocean in scuba gear, choosing from among scuba diving classes is an inevitable part of the process. Finding reputable scuba diving classes will ensure that you receive the skills you need to begin your journey in scuba.

The beauty of scuba diving classes is that they can be found anywhere - from small towns to big cities - and do not require proximity to the ocean. As a matter of fact, most scuba diving classes are taught in a pool facility, giving instructors the benefit of a controlled environment in which to teach the basics of scuba. And for a scuba novice, a pool environment is much less intimidating than the ocean, especially when you are just learning how to operate with the variety of scuba gear you must don to dive.

First and foremost in your quest to find scuba diving classes is to ascertain the reputation of classes offered closest to you. It is imperative that you receive lessons from certified instructors who have experience with training - not just participating in - scuba diving. Ask around to find people who have taken scuba diving classes from particular instructors and facilities to narrow down your search. There are actual scuba schools that exist but be sure to check public pool facilities where instructors periodically visit to give scuba diving classes.

In most cases, you can visit the facility, and actually participate in a trial class - at no charge - to determine if it’s the appropriate environment for your particular needs. More often than not, you will begin with comprehensive classroom instruction before even entering the pool.

Additionally, most reputable scuba diving classes will offer equipment for use during lessons. This can be helpful if you have not yet fully committed yourself enough to scuba diving to purchase the expensive equipment.

The most important thing you should receive from scuba diving classes is confidence. It should be a comfortable, well-paced learning environment where you feel that all of your questions are thoroughly answered and where safety is of the utmost concern. Before you know it, you’ll be well on your way to exploring the many mysteries beneath the ocean.

Elizabeth Hartley asked:


If you are planning a scuba diving holiday to Tenerife, when you venture under the waves you may find yourself pleasantly surprised. The impressive underwater rock formations rich in both plant and animal life make the island of Tenerife an ideal and increasingly popular scuba diving destination. Due to the volcanic history of the Canary Islands, the depth of the water around the shoreline allows divers the opportunity to explore the ocean and it’s marine life with or without the need for a boat trip, making it ideal for beginners as well as the more experienced.

When scuba diving in Tenerife you can expect to see an abundance of sea dwellers including stingrays, morays, trumpet fish, octopus and turtles, as well as caves inhabited by parrotfish, barracudas and giant anemones. If exploring wrecks is your passion the Condesita shipwreck can be found at Stingray City. This dive site is reached by a short boat trip where you will meet trumpet fish and moray eels who have made the cabin and engine room their home.

For something a little different you may wish to take a look at ‘the high mac’ digger in Sueno Azul or should you fancy hand feeding large stingrays, eagle rays and angel sharks then Los Gigantes is just the place for a leisurely dive beneath the town’s towering cliffs.

With year round temperatures of between 20 degrees in winter and 30 degrees in summer, Tenerife provides an ideal climate for scuba divers and an excellent choice as a winter diving destination. There are a wide range of dive schools with experienced instructors across the island and a state of the art decompression chamber located in the University hospital in case of emergencies.

The largest of the Canary Islands with temperatures ranging between 18 - 30 degrees, the wonderful Tenerife weather provides the ideal climate for holidaymakers or for people thinking of living or working in the sun.

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