Learning to Dive

Before undertaking scuba diving lessons I only had glorified ideas of scuba diving, swimming through a new world under the ocean. However, thanks to attending Plunge Diving training center, for my certification, I have gained a greater understanding of the importance of learning the skills and rules that are needed for a diver.

Participation in a certification program brings a greater reward than gaining a new skill set. It has provided me with th oportunity to build relationships with experienced members of the diving community, from whom I can draw a wealth of knowledge about the sport. As well, I have made freindships with people engaged in an intrest on par with myself. Also, certification is a requirement in most dive sites.

Though scuba diving is not for everyone, it is a sport available for most people. it is open for anyone from 10 years of age and above, a fact that has not escaped my 14 year old nephew. He is eager to take on the challenges presented by the sport. However, a participant must be physically healthy, providing a certificate from a doctor proving this before they can undergo training.

Scuba diving certification programs

Taking 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the ability of the student, certification means the student has mastered the basic diving skills from a certified instructor, and is able to dive in open water with a budy. always have another diver with you, for reasons of saftey. I have 2 diving buddies that I dive with, Kent and Bernie (our dives together can be viewed in my Dive Log).

The certification training can be divided into 2 parts

1. technical knowledge
2. practical skills

The technical knowledge usually tackles issues such as the basic theory behind the scuba equipment and suit, and the nature of the diving site -- the depth, the water visibility, the water temperature, and certain do's and don'ts, especially when swimming with aquatic animals. It also includes first-aid treatment and health topics such as decompression sickness and the effects of water pressure on the human body.

On the other hand, the practical skills include diving into open water with a diving master. This part is usually the longest since the technical knowledge is mostly taught within a classroom environment. If you already know how to swim, then you won't have problems in becoming at ease in an underwater environment. On the contrary, those who still feel uncomfortable in the diving site, they may learn some basic skills like swimming and floating, since certification will require divers to swim 200 metres and float for about 15 minutes.

It might take several weeks for some enthusiasts to master diving, but the actual learning process has no definite period because diving is a performance-based skill. It all depends if the student has properly demonstrated the skills necessary in diving. The readiness and confidence of the diving student can also determine if he or she is able to go underwater, and since it might also take some time before a beginner can get used to the suit, the equipment, and the underwater environment, the actual course can be extended.

Diving, from the outset, should be about fun. It is a team sport, as all divers in a party should look out for one another and it is a sport to be enjoed by all ages. But mostly, as my diving instructor let meknow at every available oportunity, it is a sport that must be safe. There are many things that can go wrong, but through good training and planning, it is a sport that you can do all your life. I know I will.