| When Scuba diving, it is clearly essential to have | | | | There are some 135,000 PADI Professionals and |
| the correct equipment for safety reasons. If you | | | | nearly 6,000 PADI dive shops and resorts |
| attempt to dive without the proper equipment | | | | worldwide so you should have little trouble in |
| you put yourself and potentially others at risk. | | | | finding one in or close to your desired location. |
| You can choose to either rent this equipment or | | | | Following an approved course will ensure that you |
| to buy it yourself, or a combination of the two. | | | | remain within the guidance of a diving professional |
| Many people choose to rent some of the more | | | | until you are experienced enough to go it alone. |
| expensive items of equipment whilst buying other | | | | There are a number of skills that will help you in |
| components that have a direct bearing on | | | | becoming a good scuba diver. You must be |
| comfort. Perhaps the most obvious of these is | | | | physically fit and able to swim in order to scuba |
| the mask. A mask is an essential item: it is vital to | | | | dive. Many divers build up their swimming skills at |
| ensure that you have the best possible visibility | | | | the same time as honing their diving abilities. |
| underwater. Normal swimming goggles simply will | | | | There are a number of ways in which you can |
| not do. In many cases, scuba diving involves | | | | improve your stamina and thus your enjoyment |
| descending to relatively deep locations | | | | of the time underwater. Cardiovascular exercises |
| underwater, with standard goggles being simply | | | | will quickly build up your level of stamina, giving |
| unable to cope with or to provide any protection | | | | your body an all over workout. Interval training in |
| from the associated pressures at these depths. | | | | particular, is highly effective. Swimming will also |
| Since the fit of a mask is relatively personal, | | | | help your leg stamina in the water, enabling you |
| regular scuba divers will tend to buy their own. | | | | to dive for longer, in comfort. |
| You will also need fins on every single dive. These | | | | A good diver, however, is more than just a |
| will help you to navigate the underwater world, | | | | healthy body. Strong divers must possess |
| providing propulsion and control as you dive. A | | | | excellent communication skills underwater. They |
| wetsuit is important for most scuba diving trips, | | | | must be able to signal effectively to fellow divers |
| with a common misconception being that wetsuits | | | | to 'discuss' depth, direction and any possible |
| are only necessary in cold waters. This is far | | | | emergencies. Good divers will also tend to be |
| from true: they will also protect you from | | | | curious about the underwater world and |
| dangers such as sea urchins, frequently found in | | | | continually strive to improve their level of |
| warmer waters. | | | | competence. |
| Other specialist equipment includes Regulators, | | | | The ability to keep calm under pressure is a key |
| Tanks and Buoyancy Control Devices, the first | | | | attribute that will help in becoming a safe and |
| two of which are relatively costly and thus | | | | successful scuba diver. Panicking when underwater |
| frequently rented rather than purchased. | | | | can mean your air supply will be more rapidly |
| By far the most important consideration is that | | | | consumed through hyperventilation and you will be |
| you receive thorough and appropriate training | | | | less able to deal with any unforeseen problems |
| from a PADI (Professional Association of Diving | | | | that may arise. In all cases, good judgement is |
| Instructors) certified instructor. | | | | essential. You need to know when it's time to go |
| NEVER attempt to go it alone without proper | | | | to the surface, when to remain at the same |
| training and supervision. | | | | depth and how to dive within your limits. |