You must prepare for diving. Here are some things to keep in mind to start out. Find out about the risks of back injuries, and how to prepare yourself for the sport. Read the PADI/SSI diving statements. It can be a thrilling and rewarding experience if you follow the rules.
Diverse scuba diving is a great sport
Diverse scuba diving is a popular and enjoyable activity. Diverse diving is a relaxing and enjoyable activity that many people enjoy. No matter what level of experience you have, diving can be enjoyed by all.
USA Diving's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, composed of coaches, divers, and thought leaders, will work together to promote diversity. It will encourage inclusion of diverse staff members and athletes and provide opportunities for growth.
Preparation for diving as an activity
For many people, diving is more than a hobby or activity; it's also a competitive sport. A series of skills must be mastered to compete in the competition. Divers will need somersaults, twists, and other skills to be qualified for the competition. There are many different ways to prepare yourself for a meet.
Practice is the most important thing you can do. A lot of energy is required to dive. An hour of diving can burn around 500 calories. That's the equivalent of 50 minutes of running, jogging, or cycling. Avoid diving with an empty stomach and avoid eating fatty foods. During a dive, you will become very dehydrated, so drinking plenty of water is vital. Diving also alters physiological functions in your body, and can lead to lowered blood pressure, increased heart rate and an irresistible urge to "pee."
Risks of back injury
A back injury is one the most serious injuries possible when diving. Your body enters the water at 15 feet per sec, so any impact on an object, obstruction, or other object can cause injury to spinal cord tissue. The twisting of your spine or neck can also cause damage to nerves and ligaments.
The severity of your back injury will determine how you adjust your weight distribution. Placing your weights near the front of your weight belt can help to reduce the pressure on your lower back. Another option is to put the weights on your tank, or in a pocket inside your BCD.
PADI and SSI diving certificates
If you are interested in learning scuba diving, there will be many different training agencies. Choosing one over the other comes down to personal preference, and your first agency choice could shape the rest of your diving career. For example, if your current dive center is SSI affiliated, you might consider switching to a PADI member. On the other hand, if you have friends who are BSAC certified, you'll probably want to learn from them.
Although SSI has seen steady growth in the past few years, it will take many more years to reach the same size as PADI. However, it has been a strong advocate for online certification. It now has an app that allows divers to log their dives, receive course materials from instructors, and view their qualifications. The app is very similar to PADI Dive Explorer, however there are some differences.