Why scuba diving?

Any holiday involves relaxation. But a vacation can be much more than that. Fun, trips, unique activities. Getting out of the daily routine. Someone described diving as “underwater yoga,” a description that intrigued me because I was just beginning my adventure in the field. Diving is an unique activity for most of us. Do you think when you go on an exotic vacation “I’m going diving” if you’ve never done it before? No. It’s just that once you get there, you might be given the opportunity. And want to try. But before you do that, maybe you should know a few important things about diving.

What conditions do I have to meet in order to be able to dive?

Theoretically, anyone who has reached the age of 12 without a disease of the respiratory and circulatory systems can dive. So, if you do not know that you are suffering from a disease of these systems and you are not chronically ill (for ex. diabetic), you can enjoy the experience of an underwater trip. It is recommended that you discuss this topic with your instructor. For example, if you have a stuffy nose or ear problems, it is not recommended to go diving. So give him the right information because health is not a joke. If you’ve never dived before, your level is DSD – Discover Scuba Diving.

Everything seems simple – and for most of us it is simple – when you are offered a trip that includes a diving experience. You pay for the trip, you go on a trip, you sign a few papers to declare that you are healthy and that you take responsibility in case you make a mistake, you take your equipment, you jump in the water, you do what the instructor says and you’re done, from now on you’re a diver. But is this the reality? Is it the same for everyone? This practice of learning the basics on a trip is quite common, but it sometimes has negative consequences. Some people get scared and say, “I’m not going to dive again, it’s not for me.” Others become frustrated or irritated. But it is certain that they will have a negative attitude towards this wonderful sport.

How can I enjoy my first experience?

When we do new things, it is best to be prepared, to know what awaits us in general. Therefore, to all those who intend to go diving at least once, I recommend that before the first dive to request a lesson in the pool. It is the best way to get used to the water, the equipment, the way of breathing under water. Moreover, you gain confidence. You get used to everything that involves diving into a safe environment.

What I said before is not a general rule. I’ve seen people who enjoyed their first dive even though they didn’t have this lesson in the pool. But how do we know that we are the same? Usually children are the ones who do not have a problem with diving and are not scared when they come across new experiences. But we adults are more cautious, and that involves a greater dose of doubt when it comes to new things. Also, ask your instructor or diving center what is the best place for you, as a beginner, to have your first experience. A turbulent sea, with waves, can scare even a person who is not at the first dive, but is not a professional either.

It is recommended that the you make the first dive in the best conditions – warm, calm water, in an area without strong currents.

I’m going on a trip and I chose to dive. What is recommended?

The recommendation is that if you are not a certified diver (PADI, SSI, ESA) you should take that pool lesson I told you about and go on a trip with / through the instructor or diving center that offered you that lesson.

Because that will ensure your safety and comfort.

We often rush to the first offer or look for the best one in terms of quality / price ratio.

But when you decide to dive, it’s not good to be in a hurry. Not stingy.

Put your safety and comfort first and enjoy your holiday with professionals you already know. When you go in a trip on your on, you will suffer if things go wrong.

What does it mean to be a certified diver?

The advantage of having a diving certificate is that you already have the necessary knowledge and skills to go on any themed trip without necessarily having to contact a diving instructor to accompany you.

Those who organize these kind of trips have always at least one instructor on staff and at least one Dive Master to take care of the divers.

But the certificate is recommended if the first dives convinced you that you want to continue this activity and enjoy it in other holidays.

When you get the certificate you get a recognition that your skills are good enough to participate in a dive without any problems. That you will not panic and you will not need a “personal nanny”. Why?

Because obtaining the certificate involves some steps that give you the necessary experience: theory, swimming lesson and a number of dives.

These are different depending on the level of certification – Open Water Certification, Advance Open Water Certification… and not just on paper.

Your instructor will make sure you have all the skills you need for the degree of certification you want. Otherwise you will not get the certificate.

All this because diving is a fun and interesting sport, but it involves risks. And the professionals in the field want to offer, in addition to the beauties you can see in the underwater world, a safe and comfortable environment for their tourists.