There are different organisations around the world offering extensive training to take an absolute beginner from starting in a shallow pool through to being a Dive Master responsible for many divers but the one thing that runs through Scuba Diving like a letter through Blackpool Rock, is safety.
We read about diving accidents but they rarely if ever involve beginners or even experienced divers who dive within safe limits, especially within the 30 metre threshold. It is divers pushing the limits on decompression dives (dives that require stops on the way to the surface to release the build up of Nitrogen in the body) that get into difficulties. It is divers pushing limits on multi-dives at depth that can get into trouble.
Your average holiday sport-diver (like me) tend to do a series of dives that consist of two dives with an interval on the surface in-between. Two safe dives under 30 metres with a nice lunch and some sunbathing in between then back to the resort for more sunbathing (diving can be tiring after all, and post-dive beers are almost obligatory).
So essentially, whether at home or at a resort, students take an Open Water Diver Course to enable them to dive safely up to a depth of around 14 metres. The courses are in-depth and if carried out diligently will see students doing a lot of studying and homework, and learning simple underwater drills such as....
- Removing their mask under water, then replacing it and expelling the water (ooh scary stuff!!! Not really simply a matter of concentrating and being calm).
- Removing their regulator (the important bit that goes in the mouth with air in it) and replacing it.
- Learning very simple hand signals, the commonest being thumbs-up OK!!!!!
- Learning about buoyancy.
The key to diving is bouyancy. Divers have BCD Jackets that contain air, and it is the correct use of these jackets and controlled breathing that enables divers to glide effortlessly through the water.
Control your buoyancy, and you will enjoy your diving - its that simple. Once buoyancy is mastered the beginners start to notice things around them rather than concentrate on what they are doing.
Ever driven a car with a driving instructor? Difficult to relax isnt it, but once you pass your test its like riding a bike isnt it - so is diving.
As stated, safety is absolutely critical in diving but the ironic thing is that diving is actually a very safe sport. It uses safety to the Nth degree and some could even argue that it is overly safe but better that than complacent and looking for accidents.
Ive gone from floundering in the water like a pregnant donkey unable to see fabulous marine life inches from my face to gliding confidently and actually searching for the gorgeous macro-organisms such as nudibranches, or trying to spot the incredible Frog Fish. Ive swam with Whale Sharks and Reef Sharks, Manta Rays and Dolphins as well as large schools of jacks and barracuda.
Im not even classed as an experienced diver with only around 80 dives. I recognise my limitations and dive well within them. I dont want to become a tech diver at 45 metres, im happy with what ive got.
Its a fabulous world under the water, and i would thoroughly recommend it to anyone.
Get off the surface and get into the deep!
No comments:
Post a Comment