Preliminary Steps if You Want to Start Scuba Diving

Have you ever have dreamed of floating weightlessly like an astronaut, investigating unusual species like a field researcher, or looking for lost objects like a treasure hunter? Scuba diving can make these dreams a reality! Scuba diving is relatively easy and only requires a short period of training to get started. Whether your goal in diving is fish watching, ocean conservation or simply meeting other adventurous people, 70% of the globe becomes accessible to you the moment you learn to breathe underwater!

Here are easy steps to take to start learning to scuba dive.

Step 1: Determine If You Meet The Physical Prerequisites for Scuba Diving

Scuba diver amid school of fish — NOAA Photo Library/Flickr.com

With contemporary advances in dive equipment, medicine and training, people of all ages and sizes can safely learn to dive. Most people who have a basic level of physical fitness and are comfortable in the water can scuba dive.

There are, however, a few medical conditions which are contraindicated for scuba diving. Be sure to read the fitness for diving/ dive medical questionnaire before enrolling in a scuba diving course.

• Health and age prerequisites for scuba diving.

• Open Water Diver Swimming Tests

Step 2: Choose a Scuba Diving Course

36th Force Support Squadron Andersen Family Dive Center — Staff Sgt. Veronica Montes/Andersen AFB, Guam

While diving (like any sport) has some inherent risks, these risks can be effectively managed when divers learn to check and use their gear properly and to follow safe diving guidelines. A wide variety of scuba diving courses is available to allow divers to start enjoying the underwater world safely.

Most scuba diving centers offer everything from "try dives" (where curious people can show up and try scuba diving in a pool with no commitment) to open water courses which certify a diver for life.

Step 3: Buy or Rent Dive Gear

Scuba diving is an equipment-dependent sport. A diver needs a full set of well-maintained, properly fitting scuba gear before he can start diving. Most scuba diving courses include rental gear in the price of the course, so it is not essential that a diver own a complete set of gear. In fact, many divers never purchase a full set of gear but prefer to rent gear or purchase only personal items such as wetsuits, fins, and masks.

Of course, owning your dive gear has many advantages. Divers who own dive gear can be certain of its fit, function, and maintenance, and they are usually more comfortable and confident underwater than those who do not.

Step 4: Learn Essential Dive Theory

New diving skills — Diane Betzler/Edwards A.F.B., CA

Descending into the underwater environment affects a person in ways that he may not expect. To be safe and prepared to start diving, a person must first understand how diving will affect his body and his gear.

Step 5: Practice Simple Skills With an Instructor

Mahmoud Abu-Wardeh -- My dive instructor — Joi Ito/Flickr.com

After you have reviewed dive theory with an instructor and obtained scuba gear, you will be able to take your first breaths underwater--but you are not ready to jump off the boat just yet! Learning to dive requires the mastery of skills such as clearing water from your scuba mask and regulator (your breathing apparatus). is

A certified scuba instructor will help you to learn these skills, as well as underwater communication and problem management. What to Expect on Your First Scuba Dive.

Step 6: Ask Away!

Humpback Whale Encounter — NOAA National Ocean Service

Remember, that when learning a new activity there are no "stupid" questions. Here is a list of some of the most common questions that student divers ask me. If you have a question that you do not see listed below, feel free to email it to me at scuba@aboutguide.com. I will do my best to answer!