Scuba Diving is an enjoyable activity that provides many physical and psychological advantages. It helps to improve cardiovascular and respiratory fitness, increase muscle strength and agility, as well as improving balance and agility. Furthermore, its weightless environment offers relaxation from daily life stresses. However, divers must keep in mind that marine life may contain poisonous organisms which should be left alone to flourish – for your own safety!
Though there are several online scuba diving centers offering certification courses, it is highly advised to attend an established and reputable dive center for the course. A good dive center will offer expert instructor support as well as quality equipment; additionally they’ll have a comprehensive training program to give you all of the skills needed for safe diving experiences.
When it comes to diving safety, the buddy system should always be implemented. Divers should never dive alone unless they are properly trained and certified as this allows for emergency protocols and rescue techniques that rely on having someone alongside them during dives as well as providing backup should any of your gear fail or become unusable while underwater.
Before diving, divers should conduct a buddy check to make sure they have all of the equipment needed and that it works properly. This process only takes a minute and plays an integral role in diving safety and pleasure. At a buddy check, divers should check both air supplies, review hand signals, discuss what might happen if separated underwater and establish maximum depth limits, return times, safety stop locations etc.
Nitrogen narcosis occurs when inhaling compressed air during diving, causing your lungs to expand in such a way that they cannot contract when pressure is released, leading to difficulty breathing, pain, unconsciousness or even death. For this reason, it is crucial that only pre-approved depths and limits are reached before ascending slowly once your explorations have concluded.
Maintaining a log book of each dive you complete and conditions encountered is highly beneficial, both to remembering past experiences as well as keeping track of residual inert gas levels during each dive. Furthermore, keeping such a journal can also serve to record any personal achievements or accomplishments – for instance completing deep dives previously considered hazardous will provide confidence that will carry into future dives; keeping such records also serves to demonstrate competence to prospective employers and clients when you become professional scuba diver – not to mention keeping tabs on progress while planning future dives!
