What is Scuba Diving?

Scuba Diving is considered as the number one method to explore the wonders of the underwater world. Divers using air from a tank or cylinder on their back stay underwater significantly longer than with holding-breath techniques as used in snorkeling and free-diving. Further have more freedom of movement than snuba (where the air comes through a long hose from tanks rafts on the surface).

Why are people crazy about diving?

What brings all divers everyday to enjoy this pastime is the feeling of adventure and the variety of colorful corals and other marine organisms. It is also one of the fastest growing industries that attracts millions of people every year.

We started diving a long time ago (see scuba diving history). The word diving is related to swimming underwater, and the word scuba is an abbreviation for "self-contained underwater breathing apparatus". It has become acceptable to refer to scuba as "equipment" or "apparatus". So, we understand the word Scuba Diving as swimming underwater using special equipment.

Learning to Dive

Scuba Diving has become more safe and easy. It requires a certification, but in many destinations a little introduction can show you wonders at depth of 5 to 10 meters /15 to 33 feet. Many couples, families, children eight years and older, and seniors are already enjoying diving.

Today around the world there are different diving agencies and when you decide to do your diving courses, the dive shop will help you choose between the different organizations or agencies that they are affiliated with.

But many people are afraid of diving and are not willing to try this wonderful pastime due to their different personal reasons and even phobias. As one of our visitors, Carlos Estrada Mellado, once quoted: “Diving, an activity dreaded by some, but those who dare don’t stop to enjoy it”.

Once you try it, you will plan your future holidays in some beautiful destination for diving. You also will look to have your own gear.

Equipment used for diving

The equipment is what makes diving unique. Many will think that is too much to carry, but underwater the diving gear is weightless. Equipment needed for diving: Mask, Fins, BCD, Tank, Regulator and a weight belt.

Many dive places rent diving equipment. Dive addicts like to have their own scuba gear, but all the necessary diving equipment can cost you upwards of US $1000. We recommend that you start slow. Go to our Diving Equipment page to see some tips for when you will buy your diving gear. When going on vacation and traveling with diving gear, it is important to know the airline's rules regarding the transportation of diving equipment. By calling and asking your travel agent you will know the size and weight restrictions of your diving bag.

Types of Diving: There are two types of diving: Recreational and Professional diving.

Recreational Scuba diving: for the purpose of leisure and enjoyment. With more education, training and experience divers can get to a professional level in the recreational diving.
The depth limit for recreational diving is up to 40 meters/ 133 feet, but it also depends on the training and the gases used while underwater.

Ahmed Gabr (Egipt) currently holds the world record for the deepest dive using scuba diving equipment. The dive of 332 meters / 1090 feet beat the previous record set by Nuno Gomes of 318 meters /1043 feet (confirmed). The total dive time was 15 hours, while the descent took 14 minutes. French diver Pascal Bernabé claims to have dove to 1,083 feet (330 m) in July, 2005 (unconfirmed).

The above records were set using 'recreational' SCUBA and mixture gases. Commercial divers can go to depths greater than 500 meters / 1650 feet using specialized commercial and military diving equipment and support systems.

Professional Scuba Diving: some may say because they get paid, but it is more due to training, studies and licenses that divers are called professionals. Professional divers could hold jobs worldwide as: diving instructors or assistants, aquarium maintenance, marine biology, underwater photography, spear fishing, etc.

There are a lot of different disciplines in professional diving. And they go from the simples to more dangerous in nature. From the most simple equipment to specialized and complex equipment. For example, communication systems that are often required by law in commercial and military dives.

Important to remember while Scuba Diving

Remember that being underwater has limits and risks that professional divers are willing to take. It is important to remember that recreational scuba diving is for fun. Dives between 5 to 20 meters/ 16 to 66 feet can show you the wonderful world that was once explored by Cousteau. These depths have the advantage that provides divers with better light, colours and marine life. Also in shallow dives you will breathe less air from the tank, making your dive longer and safer.