Learn To Scuba Dive Without Lessons

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What's The First Step Before You Begin Scuba Lessons?

Many people are interested in the wonderful world of scuba diving, but they're not sure where to begin. Some folks may consider dive lessons, but others aren't yet ready for that kind of commitment.

Your local dive shop is a great resource for information on lessons, equipment, and scuba vacations.

In addition, consider reading my Special Report entitled "The Beginner's Guide To Scuba Diving," designed for people who are interested in learning more about scuba diving but want a good, general overview before they "dive" in and take scuba lessons.

This way you'll be able to gain some insight about scuba diving without having to sign up for lessons or purchase or rent equipment. If you're interested, you can then pursue scuba diving a bit further.

Where Would You Like To Scuba Dive?

Everyone has their favorite scuba destination. Choose yours here.

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Great Scuba Diving Locales

If you ever plan a scuba vacation, consider any of these locations

The greatest thing about scuba diving is that there are so many places in the world to enjoy it. Below are some wonderful locales to consider.

West Indies Barbados

In this area of the world, individualized scuba diving lessons are available as well as a dive trip that is tailor made.

Services: Scuba One on One offer a unique scuba diving activity and experience that you won't ever forget. Give them a look.

Scuba diving in the Caribbean

The Caribbean is composed of quaint hotels as well as nature in all its unspoiled glory.

Some of the islands in the Caribbean that are amazing scuba diving areas are Antigua, Aruba, and Belize.

Pacific Cook Islands

This locale is just right as it is distant from the noisy hustle and bustle of scuba diving tourism. This paradise in the South Seas offers scuba diving experiences that are unparalleled. Give it a try.

The Quarry Gilboa

This scuba diving location is considered as one of the best scuba diving locations in Ohio.

Believe it or not, underwater sites to be discovered include motorcycle, a vending Dr machine, a cabin cruiser, a rowboat, and just recently, a Sikorsky helicopter.

Also, more than twenty shaded and primitive sites are easily accessible to various scuba diving point entries. This is an incredible inland adventure.

Mabul and Sipadan Malaysia

This scuba diving location in Malaysia is comfortably situated in the Sea of Celebes.

Flower Gardens in Texas

Try not to be fooled by the serene name. Instead, picture yourself over a hundred miles from land and smack in the center of the Gulf of Mexico.

Though the ocean can be unforgiving, plus the weather could instantly turn foul and angry almost instantly, don't let these distractions stop you from pursuing scuba diving.

This area is considered one of the wildest and beautiful scuba diving locations in the world.

Heads of coral,much bigger than conventional cars, can be found here as well as manta rays, sharks and other fish species.

These are just a few of the many great dive locations throughout the world. You really can't go wrong visiting any of them, proving once again that scuba diving is a never-ending adventure.

Scuba Diving A Shipwreck

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Getting Scuba Certified

People have been exploring under water for centuries. The earliest scientists wanted to find out what lies beneath. People have always wanted to explore.

Nowadays, just about anyone can do the same thing. All you'll need is some diving equipment and a way to get certified by a scuba diving certification organization.

If you are just thinking about exploring the wonderful world of scuba, my Special Report is a great read and will expose you to the basics of scuba diving. You can find out more here.

There are three major certification organizations known throughout the world.

The first is called PADI, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors. Established in 1967, it continues to be a pioneer in teaching new and experienced divers new techniques about underwater exploration.

A student as young as 10 can be allowed to take a basic certification course before being able to move up to the next level. This scuba diving organization boasts to having issued almost a million licenses every year to adventure seeking enthusiasts around the world.

The second is known as NAUI, the National Association of Underwater Instructors. This was established a few years before PADI existed which means it has been in the industry much longer, offering more programs.

Some of these include night diving, nitrox, search and recovery, scuba rescue, skin and diving. A child as young as eight can start learning the basics and then move up as he/she gets older.

The third is called SSI, Scuba Schools International. This was established a year after NAUI started operations. It has an official website and is associated with different resorts and schools around the world offering the same quality of education to beginners and experienced divers alike.

In any of the three diving organizations, the only way to move up to the next skill level will be by spending a certain number of hours underwater as well as taking written exams.

Should the student pass, the diver from basic will move up to silver or gold class. The names for the various levels is different and those with a lot of experience can even become a dive masters who can then teach beginners about this adventurous sport.

Explore all three organizations' websites today.

Favorite Scuba Resources

LeisurePro
The diver's emporium. Everything you ever wanted that is related to scuba diving.
The Beginner's Guide To Scuba Diving
My Special Report for people who are interested in learning more about scuba diving - before they make the investment of gear and lessons.
YMCA Scuba Resources
Believe it or not, the "Y" is a great resource for scuba instruction.

Why You Need A Scuba Buddy

Okay, you've read "The Beginner's Guide To Scuba Diving," you've taken lessons through your local dive shop, you've got the gear, you've been certified - fantastic!

Now all you need is a dive buddy.

Sure, you could go ahead and do a solo dive, enjoying the peace and serenity. But diving with a buddy provides an unequaled opportunity to share your diving experience, which many have found to be ever so much more satisfying than diving alone.

Diving with a buddy also heightens the safety of the dive, as well as the pleasure. When diving with a buddy, you can watch out for one another in a way that makes scuba diving much more safe and secure for both of you. And sooner or later, you'll be thankful for it.

Here are some tips in choosing and diving with a buddy:

When choosing a scuba diving buddy, the best choice will be to dive with someone who is similar to you in size and in physical ability, so you will both consume air at a comparable rate, and have a compatible pace throughout the dive.

Before your dive, discuss with your buddy the entry and exit points to use at your chosen dive site. Agree with your buddy upon a maximum duration for the dive, or a minimum air pressure. Then you will be able to keep pace with one another better.

Always establish a contingency plan with your buddy in case of different kinds of emergency. For example, in case the two of you get separated, agree to search for no more than one minute and then surface.

Of course it is wise to plan to stick together during your dive, keeping one another in clear view, and never being more than a few feet apart from each other. Be sure to glance over at your buddy approximately every 60 seconds, looking to see if he or she seems to be comfortable and enjoying the dive.

When you keep a frequent and consistent view of your buddy and their situation, you will be much more likely to pick up on any signs of trouble quickly, should they occur.

If you decide to stop or to change your course, it's critical to alert your buddy of your intention.

Before your dive, review with your buddy the communication signals you will be using. This is particularly important because it will be impossible to verbally explain yourself when you're under 40 feet of water!

After your dive, plan to spend just a little time with your buddy and talk about the dive, in order to share your feedback with one another.

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  • GreatestSites Sep 12, 2010 @ 4:15 am | delete
    Nice information. For those interested in reading more about the location where you can dive visit http://www.greatestdivesites.com or one of its regional pages. They include many dive sites, lots of geographical information and what you can see.
  • Matty T Feb 7, 2010 @ 12:35 pm | delete
    Brilliant lens. I found loads of great stuff about scuba diving and a great scuba forum while Googling too!
  • ScubaWiz Sep 14, 2009 @ 3:34 am | delete
    Quite a definitive lens on scuba diving and scuba diving locations. Worthy of being rated and favorited.
  • Zackfaire Sep 16, 2008 @ 4:20 am | delete
    i love this lens and i just have to give it 5 stars. check out my article about scuba diving as well.http://www.siakoi.com/recreation/scuba-diving.html

    i'd love to try this out someday. too bad im only stuck with researching this one.
  • catch-cheating Aug 13, 2007 @ 8:39 pm | delete
    great lens, useful guide for scuba begginner, 5star
  • KimGiancaterino Aug 8, 2007 @ 4:18 pm | delete
    Very cool lens! I submitted this to Lensroll.com, so be sure to vote for it. ~ Kim
  • megara1 Aug 8, 2007 @ 12:22 am | delete
    My husband and I did some "snorkeling" in Hawaii, it was probably nothing compared to scuba diving I'm sure. Great lens..makes me think about giving it a try! 5 *****
    http://www.squidoo.com/onlyhannahmontana

    Denise
  • Aug 5, 2007 @ 12:09 pm | delete
    Great lens! I voted 5 stars - I invite you to check out mine too, and rate it for me! Live Streaming Video
  • klapskie Jul 29, 2007 @ 10:31 pm | delete
    love outdoor sports, including scuba diving. But sad to say that I didn't have much time to enjoy it. Anyway, 5* for you, great lens! If you have time, please stop by at my lens. Thanks
  • SemperFidelis Jul 28, 2007 @ 8:11 pm | delete
    Back at ya from my Kennewick Water Follies lens. A 5 to you too! Nice scuba lens. :o)
  • PotPieGirl Jul 21, 2007 @ 6:23 am | delete
    This is a GREAT lens! It needs a bit more lens exposure! Everyone needs to see this.... 5 stars for you!

    ~Jennifer
  • Jul 10, 2007 @ 5:43 am | delete
    Well done, lots of good stuff here!

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scubaguy

I am a regular guy who got bored with regular vacations, but thankfully I discovered scuba diving! If you like the information here, please rate my lens... more »

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