Scuba Diving
Many people see snorkeling as a way of introducing others to diving, as many of the scuba diving techniques are mirrored by snorkeling. Snorkeling provides far more than a “stepping stone” on the way to becoming a diver, but does teach skills vital to divers and snorkelers alike.
SCUBA (Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) diving involves swimming underwater whilst breathing through self-contained breathing apparatus. Compressed gas is inhaled from a tank (or multiple tanks) and is usually exhaled into the water, although there are semi-closed and closed circuits available that reduce or eliminate the amount of air that is exhaled into the water.
There is much scope with what scuba divers can do, from wreck and reef exploration to commercial work such are oil rig repairs, diving has something to offer everyone. The system is the same as snorkeling, with specific scuba qualifications from BSAC and PADI being the most “trusted” and widely accepted and recognised. Again these qualifications are staggered, with you undertaking more difficult taks and submerging to greater depths on the Advanced Qualifications (eg BSAC’s Dive Leader and PADI’s Divemaster).
Not all snorkelers enjoy scuba diving, often preferring the uncluttered, exposed nature of having minimal equipment, but it is always reccommended that if you enjoy snorkeling, you should at least undertake a “try dive” introductory course to see if it is something you would like to persue.
Please visit our friends at www.ukdiving.co.uk and www.dive-international.net, the worlds biggest internet resource for divers, for any further information about scuba diving.
