Scuba diving for beginners

What is scuba diving?

Scuba diving is a mode of underwater diving where the diver uses a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (scuba), which is completely independent of surface supply, to breathe underwater. Scuba divers carry their own source of breathing gas, usually compressed air, allowing them greater independence and freedom of movement than surface-supplied divers, and longer underwater endurance than breath-hold divers. Although the use of compressed air is common, a mixture of air and oxygen called enriched air or nitrox has become popular due to its benefit of reduced nitrogen intake during long or repetitive dives. Open circuit scuba systems discharge the breathing gas into the environment as it is exhaled, and consist of one or more diving cylinders containing breathing gas at high pressure which is supplied to the diver through a regulator.

Handsignals for scuba diving

• Signal for 'Okay'

  

  This signal means okay. Don't use thumbs up to indicate okay as this means ascend/ going up!

• Signal for 'Going down'

  

  Use this signal to tell your buddy that you are ready to descend.

• Signal for 'How much air do you have left?'

  

  With this signal you can ask your buddy how much air he or she has left.

• Signal for 'Problem'

  

  Rotate your wrist slightly a few times to indicate a problem. Then, point at to whatever is the problem, such as ears or mask.

Get certified with PADI

With more than 6,600 PADI Dive Centers and Resorts, and 137,000 individual PADI Professionals who have issued more than 27 million certifications around the world, you’ll find PADI diver courses and scuba diving services nearly everywhere. The PADI System of diver education is based on progressive training that introduces skills, safety-related information and local environmental knowledge to student divers in stages. PADI courses are student-centered and provide maximum practice and realistic application. PADI Professionals make underwater exploration and scuba diving adventures possible while maintaining the highest standards for diver training, safety and customer service.