Learn To Dive
Many people dream of scuba diving on their exotic vacations, but
are afraid that if they learn to dive, they will end up wasting
a lot of their vacation time and money on one activity. The
truth is, there are diving courses and schools all over the
world, and it is possible to begin your learn to dive course in
your native country and to complete it while you are on
vacation. Or better yet, you can learn to dive before you go on
vacation and earn a diving passport that will enable you to
scuba dive anywhere in the world. So before you go on vacation,
look into your options carefully if you want to learn to dive.
When you learn to dive, you will be taught basic mechanics in a
swimming pool. This might seem simplistic, but even the best
swimmers need to learn special techniques for movement when they
learn to dive, since mechanics are not the same as those used
with regular swimming, especially since divers have equipment to
deal with as well. The beginning course also teaches the
prospective diver equipment use and maintenance. This is the
most intimidating aspect for those who want to learn to dive,
but once you get the understand how to handle your equipment,
you can begin to dive with confidence.
Of course, safety is an important component of your course as
you learn to dive, and the buddy system is essential, even for
seasoned divers. Other concepts taught in beginning and
intermediate courses include:
* Buddy diving * Human life support * Gases under pressure *
Ocean diving * Rescue skills
Most beginning courses will teach you dive theory, which might
include some classroom as well as pool work, and open water dive
skills. You will learn to dive through handbooks and videos, not
just underwater, but many of these materials can be studied at
home to maximize the amount of time students spend in the water.
Some schools place restrictions on whom they will accept for
their learn to dive programs. Most places have a minimum age,
but this is rather young, usually around twelve. For those who
have medical conditions, such as diabetes or asthma, their might
be certain restrictions, unless a doctor approves the course for
the patient. Some schools will require you to take a medical
exam, and others will allow anyone to begin the course if they
seem to be in good general health.
Many scuba dive schools offer refresher courses; anyone who
wants to learn to dive and to continue diving as a hobby will
need to take a refresher course if they do not perform a dive
every six months; diving passports expire if too much time has
passed between dives. Some students who learn to dive at certain
schools will want to continue and take more advanced courses,
such as open water and ocean diving. Some will want to quit
their dull 9 to 5 grind and become full-time scuba diving
instructors. It is a great job for those who like to be in the
water and to travel to exotic places. However, given the safety
considerations, certification for scuba dive instructors is
usually quite rigorous, and many would rather simply learn to
dive than to contemplate a career in scuba diving.
Whether you want to learn to dive or need to take a refresher
course, it is not difficult to find a course available within a
reasonable distance. Soon after you learn to dive, you will want
to try out your skills on an exotic vacation in the tropics or
elsewhere.