Cheaper to learn scuba diving in east coast islands of peninsular malaysia

PERhentians , redang ,lang tengah ,tanggol , tioman ,dayang .aur .
Just this destinations can provide the average malaysian diver a full season of affordable and great diving.
All this islands are on the east coast of peninsular malaysia.Each a jewel in their own right.
All of theses islands having different charms and personalities.
To decide which paradise island to go to can be a tough choice unless you have a
criteria to select with.
And also depends on budget constraints and what it is you want to experience in the island environment setting.
Most of the diving action is at the east coast islands of peninsular malaysia,and of course East malaysia.where the top dive destinations in the world are at.
If you are considering learning to scuba dive,it is a much better option to consider learning in one of the many islands dotted around the east coast of peninsular malaysia.
Where comparatively speaking it is much more cost effective.Compared to learning diving in Thailand.
Dive schools in these islands offer divecourses for all levels,from the very basic beginner to courses training you to be a dive professional.
Major difference is that in Thailand ,marjority of dive schools are operated by Foreigners which of course is reflected by the fees they charged for the courses and dive trips on offer.
Of course for what is charged and services offered ,you do get value for what is spent,whereas in Malaysia ,the 1st thing you will notice is that the dive schools are mainly run by locals.
It actually makes more sense for a lot of backpackers travelling around south east asia who are keen to take up scuba diving as an added activity to make their way to a malaysian island to learn it.
Travellers moving around usually allocate a week or so picking up a dive certification in Malaysia in one of the islands in malaysia because they ve discovered it is cheaper to do so in comparison to Thailand.,or Indonesia.Not to mention the very relaxed pace of instruction by the Local malaysian dive instructors.
All the island locales have great environment for learning ,very conducive for the beginner all the way to very advanced.
Mainly,most of these malaysian islands cater for the beginners more than the highly advanced divers.Since they are located on a shallow continental shelf of the south china sea,and diving activity is mostly done in shallow water reefs,considered among the best and most varied in the region.
The more challenging dive environments are at the Indonesian archipelago or across the pond on the east malaysian side in and around the phillipine waters.
Most certified divers who learned in one of these islands will testify on the very relaxed pace ,where you learn in small group of 3 to 4 students,not like factory assembly line style of learning in huge groups.More the norm in the highly commercialized islands in Thailand.Ko phi phi ,ko tao,Phuket etc. Ask around and version is everywhere similar.

who may learn and what may preclude you from doing scuba

The minimum age requirement for certification as a scuba diver is 10 years old.
Which will come under the junior open water diver banner.

And there isnt any max limitations on age ,more on physical limitations and health considerations for the senior citizens who are considering taking up diving.
There is a questionare for all students to go through so that they have a rough idea on whats is required to qualify for the dive course and what would pre empt a person.
Mainly if there are respiratory complications or circulatory problems , depending on the severity of the condition almost always it will preclude the participant unless he gets a physician to give him medical check up and can give them an all clear letter to sign up.
INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

A disability is defined as a physical impairment that interferes with an
individual’s ability to perform required diving motor skills. Although meeting
skill performance requirements may be challenging, Dive instructors can
suggest adaptive techniques and make reasonable accommodations to assist
individuals with disabilities in learning diving skills.

People with disabilities may:

Participate in scuba training activities after they obtain approval from a
licensed physician. However, the instructor has the final say on
who they will accept into the scuba course. Instructors have no
obligation to accept every applicant.

Receive certification when they satisfactorily fulfill all performance
requirements for the particular certification level.

Continue to participate in diver training activities if unable to fulfill the
certification performance requirements, provided those individuals are
otherwise qualified to participate. For example, they may participate in
confined water training sessions, or the introductory dive experiences.

The physiological and physical considerations of scuba diving .
It is important to follow established safety procedures in diving to eliminate unnecesary risks.
To scuba dive safely, you must not be extremely overweight
or out of shape. Diving can be strenuous under certain
conditions therefore the respiratory and circulatory systems must be able to cope in those conditions. All body air spaces must be normal and healthy. A
person with heart trouble, a current cold or congestion, epilepsy,
asthma, a severe medical problem, or who is under the influence
of alcohol or drugs should not dive. If taking medication, consult
your doctor and the instructor before participation in this program.
You will also need to learn from the instructor the important safety
rules regarding breathing and equalization while scuba diving.
Improper use of scuba equipment can result in serious injury. You
must be thoroughly instructed in its use under direct supervision
of a qualified instructor to use it safely.

Behavioral: The diver’s mental capacity and emotional makeup are important to safe diving. The student diver must have
sufficient learning abilities to grasp information presented to him by his instructors, be able to safely plan and execute his
own dives and react to changes about him in the underwater environment. The student’s motivation to learn scuba and his
ability to deal with potentially dangerous situations is also crucial to safe diving.


absolute cotraindications will be

• Inappropriate motivation to dive – solely to please spouse or partner, to prove oneself in the face of personal fears

• Claustrophobia and agoraphobia

• Active psychosis or while receiving psychotropic medications

• History of panic disorder

• Drug or alcohol abuse
====================================================================

Diving certification agencies,PADI,NAUI,SSI

If you are not familiar with the diver training agencies you will probably be wondering about the acrnonyms like PADI .NAUI .SSI etc.
Which you ll see whenever you venture into a dive resort ,The dive center is usually affiliated with a particular diver training agency.
What that means for the person considering signing up for a dive course is actually not much,at the end of the course ,they will end up learning to dive in a safe manner which is more important.

Following is a listing of the more known diver training agencies and a brief comparison of the differences involved.

You've probably heard of PADI, SSI, NAUI and other scuba certification agencies,

What is the role of a Certification Agency ?
In addition to providing all levels of diver training, agencies also regulate and represent diving professionals such as divemasters and dive instructors, regulate dive operators, participate in research in dive medicine, promote marine conservation, and market diving as a sport.

Difference Between the Agencies?
The main difference between agencies is where they operate. Some agencies such as BSAC(british) and CMAS(french) are closely related to their countries of origin, while other agencies such as PADI are truly global organizations. All of the most popular agencies offer very similar courses from beginner through to professional level and will all recognize each other's qualifications at recreational level. They may not recognize each other's qualifications at professional level.

How to Choose an Agency?
When choosing an entry level diving course it's important to remember that all courses are quite similar and an open water certification card from any main agency will be recognized by dive operators anywhere in the world. Your choice of agency should be based on the quality of the instructions.

Which are the Biggest Agencies?
PADI has dive centers and instructors almost everywhere people dive and is the biggest agency. Some other agencies such as SSI and NAUI are also wide spread but tend to be concentrated in particular geographical areas. Below is a brief overview of the main agencies. Of course there are many other local agencies that also provide quality training and globally recognized qualifications. You can verify any agencies credentials with the World Recreational Scuba Training Council.


•PADI
The Professional Association of Diving Instructors is by far the biggest and most recognized dive certification agency in the world. It's usually possible to find a PADI instructor in any diving destination and more beginning divers are certified by PADI than by all of the other agencies combined. PADI is very active in marine conservation through their Project AWARE operation, as well as being the biggest promoter of diving through advertising and sponsorship, and is also involved in technical diving training. PADI also operates Emergency First Response, an organization providing CPR and First Aid training.


•SSI
Scuba Schools International's 2000 authorized dealers and 225 Regional Centers can be found in 90 countries around the world. SSI's diver education system is very similar to PADI's system. Headquartered in Colorado, USA, SSI training facilities are in particular abundance in North America and South East Asia.


•NAUI
Founded in 1959 in the USA, the National Association of Underwater Instructors is one of the biggest global certification agencies. NAUI's diver education system is quite similar to SSI and PADI. NAUI has also had a technical diving division since 1997. NAUI dive centers can be found primarily in North America.


•YMCA
YMCA Scuba is a division of the United States Young Men's Christian Association. Despite the name, courses are open to both men and women. The YMCA Scuba program is over 50 years old and has a very similar structure to fellow American agencies, PADI, SSI, and NAUI. YMCA centers are found almost exclusively in the USA.


•BSAC
The British Sub Aqua Club was formed in the United Kingdom and is still one of the most popular agencies there. It is also possible to find BSAC training facilities in other countries, particularly those that are frequented by British divers. Known for having very high standards of training, BSAC was always known for requiring extreme levels of training to achieve certification. In recent years BSAC has implemented courses that have bought it into line with other agencies training requirements.


•CMAS
Confederation Mondiale des Activites Subaquatiques is the world's oldest scuba certification agency. Originally founded in Brussels, Belgium, CMAS is now headquartered in Rome, Italy. CMAS has quite a different rating system than other agencies that is based on star levels. CMAS can be found in many countries around the world but is primarily active in Europe.

Finally ,doesnt matter what certification card and from which agency you have to go diving ,as long as you have got one ,then all dive centres will take you.
Of course where they take you will depends on the level of training you have completed and the experience demonstrated on the cert card. and dive log.

It is important that your skills be made known to avoid unnecesarry scenarios and mostly having fun diving.

============

snorkelling vs scuba diving


Snorkelling is a terrific way to enjoy the sights of flora and fauna of the marine environment.So tranquil and relaxing,
as you float on the surface drifting along taking in the sights underwater,only sound you hear is from breathing from your snorkelling tube.
submerged your face in the water wearing a mask and snorkel and you basically block out the entire world if only for the brief period,its so surreal ,the feeling ,looking down upon a realm you are totally alien to ,yet ,awe by the seeming tranquility as the creatures here just move about nonchalantly,graceful ,silent.
Yet , behind the seemingly tranquil appearance is a world fraught with mystery ,neverending wonder,with a cast of the very bizare to the violent,ugly to enchantingly beautiful.colours of which isnt match by anything on dry land.
We can only be a visitor here,never a participant ,and only for very short periods,
because we just dont belong.
With snorkelling , its observation and admiration from a distance.The cute damsel fishes ,will be bold enough to feed off your hands, cheeky clownfish dart out and back in to their host anemones to chase you off if you venture too close, Or if you are lucky ,a turtle will swim up close to you to take a breath. Even the not agressive reef sharks make an appearance now and then.These are what beckons in shallow areas.
Alternatively ,just float on the surface and admire the corals from your vantage point,if you look closely enough ,you may just spot activity going on in the coral heads.crabs ,shrimps,eels , or the very well camouflaged octopus .
Then you will start to have an urge to be closer to the action, have a closer more personal look at it to your hearts content.
Or if you are a good enough skin diver(breathhold diving)you can always venture out into the slightly deeper areas , and just free dive down swimming with whatever it is you encounter. It is a fantastic sensation ,because you feel so free ,even if it is for a brief period , the environment so quiet when you dive in,it will be the closest sensation you will have to whats its like to fly. Albeit its will last you just as long as your lungs can withstand.nonetheless ,if done right ,can repeat the experience again and again.


Curiousity will get to you ,if you have been avidly snorkelling ,you will be intrigue to know whats down in deeper water,not accessible by conventional free diving because its too deep and your lungs cannot hold out that long ,esp. in depths of more than 20 metres and evn if you can manage to swim down to the depth ,theres not enough time to take in the view .And it is a different view in deeper environments.
Corals are more diverse and beautiful ,not similar to their shallow water cousins,larger predatorial fishes lurk around in this environment, fishes and other creatures mainly can be observed in their more natural habitat.
In shallower water there are waves and currents to contend with for many sea creatures ,which is why in deeper water ,there is more variety of critters ,from the tiny , weird and wonderful all at this depth avoiding the shallows.,that can be rough and turbulent at times.
even corals have more colour,soft corals,known by all to be very beautifully coloured
thrive in the deeper waters because of the lack of waves,so they dont need to be sturdy like their hard coral cousins in shallower waters.
and of course ,access to this world can only be done with a scuba gear.

Main difference with using scuba of course is the ability to stay for a longer period and take you own time to observe the creatures and also be able to cover a larger area underwater,up close and personal feeling with the sea critters cannot be had with snorkelling.
plus the fact that you do get a kick out of the fact that you can actually breathe underwater.
=====================================================================

scuba diving accidents

Every year there will be divers who got hurt or killed because of scuba diving accidents.
Some through own fault but some thorough totally unforeseen situations.
Sadly many of these accidents are as a result of untrained or un-certified
divers attempting dives for which they are not qualified thus getting themselves in trouble.
To avoid all this happening so frequently, solution seems relatively simple but must be firmly established, make sure that you learn and get certified for the type of dive you are attempting.

Don't get all hyped up over the fact that you have couple of dives under your belt, then attempt a cave dive or one exploring a sunken ship. Why? Well it's simple. You are definitely not qualified which means that you would not know how to handle an emergency if one occurred.
This second tip is more of a command than a tip. NEVER EVER swim alone! Even if you are an expert swimming alone is not a good idea. My reasoning behind this second tip is that if you do get into some kind of danger or trouble then your diving partner(s) will be there to assist you in salvaging the situation.
Third, in the event that trouble arises remain calm. Do anything else except panic. If you've lost your way, look for landmarks. If you lost the rest of your group, look for them for a minute or so then surface and wait there. Once again, frantic actions, panic and struggle will not help solve the problem, and may make it worse.
Other types of accidents which typically occur while scuba diving are scrapes, scratches and cuts. These are usually not serious enough to warrant concern and the sea water itself will help to prevent infection.
Other injuries, closely related to accidents are those involving bites and stings from toxin of rays and jellyfish. These are painful, but not usually life threatening.

The final concern in scuba diving is to make the descent and ascent at a rate slow enough to prevent the formation of nitrogen bubbles in the blood and tissue, commonly referred to as the ''bends” These can cause severe damage to all the systems of the body and if not treated can result in death. More divers are treated for decompression sickness than for any other injury.
If care is taken to follow all the safety rules, including understanding how your equipment works and checking it each time you dive to ensure it is working properly. If you always swim with a buddy, if you refrain from putting the hands or other body parts into crevices before you know what might be lurking in the shadow, and if you follow strict time stops when ascending and descending from the dive, you should have no problems staying safe and well and coming back to dive another time.

age,whats the limit to learn scuba diving?

The average age of active scuba divers, is 36, and there are physicians who suggests that scuba diving beyond 50 years old may cause health related issues or outright hazardous to it. But then theres the wonderfully endearing image of the great Jacques Cousteau, who scuba dived at the ripe old age of 87 and continued diving until the very end of his life. And even in his old age, despite having problems walking ,the famous Frenchman , requested his friends to take him close to the sea and he had regretfully said that it was very hard for him to imagine his life without scuba diving.
So when older divers are questioned about their passion for the sport ,Cousteau's example is often used to dispel doubts about the physical ability of the golden folk. Some have been diving for decades , but curiously enough ,there are those who started or learned to dive at the age of 70.

Actually, There arent any restrictions on age limits , for most of the diver training agencies ,

and 70 seems to be the acceptable to many agencies provided of course that physically there are no concerns to disqualify one from participating in the dive activities.


But ,on one hand , doctors and rescuers, they tend to be more on the reserved side,

when it comes to their opinions on age limits. at least in regards to people of that age group but with no experience in scuba diving or those who've shelfed diving a while but resume scuba diving after a considerable time gap of no dives . Even if clearly there are physical and psychological benefits from recreational scuba diving and social adaptation of elderly are evident and encouraging, it is also noticeable that accident statistics involving the older aged in scuba diving have risen . It is a fact not gone unnoticed, but hardly alarming enough to put a cap on the restrictions.


If well equipped, adequately trained and responsibly supervised when older divers are joining in individual or group dives, these elderly scuba divers, both freshmen and veterans, still can enjoy the pleasure of getting in touch with underwater world. But dive like this will need more better planning and be very safety minded affair.It has to be planned meticulously anticipating any potential situation and methods to deal with it.Safety in mind at at all times.



If you are a in a older age group, and seriously comtemplating signing up for a dive course then it's highly recommended that you learn slowly until you feel you are both mentally and physically ready to take your first scuba dive at a desired site to suit your specific needs, your individual limits, and your personal diving experience. Just bear in mind that of recreational scuba diving.Age is not a barrier. You can be as young as 8 till as old as 70 and still can take up diving if your body allows it to.
====================================================================

scuba diver visit exotic places


If you are thinking about exotic places to visit on your vacation, to escape the chill of winter, you may want to consider a hot tropical island with mysterious underwater places you can visit. Go to a popular dive destination and seek out the help of professional divers working at the dive centers or resorts and you will be taken to explore the breathtaking scenes of the underwater realm. From enchanting coral reefs ,to brilliantly colored reef fishes and intriguing varieties of sea creatures,never seen before, it can be a truly sensational experience of a diving adventure.

Many people find thrill in seeing what is not commonly seen in everyday life. And then to be so close and personal with the different marine flora and fauna an average person can only read about and view in dive magazines or books can be an amazing recreational activity to enjoy with your family and friends.

Scuba diving is an excellent way to spend quality time together and at the same time discover the wonders of the aquatic nature. There are many ways on how you could enjoy your adventure. You can sign up to participate in a dive trip in which you will be brought to dive sites that you have never been before. Its the anticipation of the unknown. The excitement of going to these places. That is what makes scuba a wonderful adventure experience everyone should try in his or her lifetime.

Another great reason for the popularity of scuba diving is to be able to capture images of the underwater world. All it takes is a keen and sharp eyesight and many wonders of that world opens up. The sensational feeling of taking pictures underwater (especially of rare and seldom seen creatures ) has a wonderfully gratifying effect when it comes to the level of enjoyment felt .

Underwater photography is a very respected field now and hugely popular recreational activity nowadays.

Anyone can learn how to dive. With the help of a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus, an individual can personally witness the wonders of the underwater world. The safety measures involved in the preparation are highly reliable that the activity can be taken part by participants from 8 years old and above.

Scuba diving does not serve mainly as a recreational activity. In fact, this enjoyable underwater experience can help people with certain disabilities to improve their condition. For example, individuals with fibromyalgia can undergo programs in order to train and learn several approaches that would greatly benefit their adaptation to their condition.

There are several choices when it comes to places to go diving. Whether you are a professional or for just an amateur, there are different options you may want to choose as your diving site. Most people take interest in going to tropical coral reefs in which the area is surrounded by beautifully colored corals and sea creatures.
However, you may also want to try out other alternative spots such as lakes and rivers for a very different underwater adventure. Make sure that professionals are available to guide you so that you can effectively avoid accidents from happening. Aside from safety purposes, knowing the right places to dive and proper use of equipment also requires the help of diving experts.

Safety is always the first priority , and with that enjoyment of the activity.
====================================

scuba diving a very fast growing


Scuba Diving is one of the fastest growing industries that attracts millions of people every year. What really brings all divers everyday to enjoy this pastime is the adventure, feeling of exploration and the variety of colorful corals and other marine organisms.
The word diving is related to swimming underwater, and the word scuba is an abbreviation for "self-contained underwater breathing apparatus" So, Scuba Diving basically means, swimming underwater with specialized equipment.
Which is why it is important for those who want to learn to scuba dive to learn it through the step by step method.Will clear many misconceptions about scuba diving and perceived risks in this activity.

For instance , a lot of people think, scuba divers breathe pure oxygen from the scuba tanks when they venture underwater.

Although the human body needs oxygen to survive, the average human cannot breathe 100%
oxygen underwater which has a greater amount of surrounding pressure. Breathed under pressure oxygen can be toxic. So, the gas divers use from the tank is compressed normal air. Air is composed of 78% of nitrogen, 21.% of oxygen and 1% of other gases that have little or no effect when breathed underwater.
Nitrogen under high pressure can temporally effect our nervous system and interfere with signal transmissions, causing at greater depths (30 to 40 meters/100 to 133 feet or more) the condition known as nitrogen narcosis, which has similar effects as being under the influence of alcohol ( loss of decision-making ability, loss of focus, impaired judgment, multi tasking and coordination).
The most straightforward way to avoid nitrogen narcosis is for a diver to limit the depth of dives. If narcosis does occur, the effects disappear almost immediately upon ascending to a shallower depth.
In addition to its narcotic effects, nitrogen also brings another issue. Under pressure nitrogen dissolves into body tissues and starts to accumulate. This must be kept within limits to prevent nitrogen from coming out of solution and forming bubbles inside our body, known as "decompression sickness" or "the bends"- when all the pressure created by the nitrogen is released at the surface.
To avoid the bends divers must minimize the water pressure slowly on the body at the end of the each dive. This will allow the gases trapped in the bloodstream to gradually break solution and leave the body. This is done by ascending slowly and making safety stops or decompression stops using dive computers or decompression tables for guidance.
As you can see while scuba diving, divers are limited in time and depth due to the nitrogen in the air. Today thanks to new technology we have managed to extend our limits. For those divers that exceed 40 meters/133 feet and for divers who need to spend a lot of time under water, a different mixture of gases, training and equipment are required.
The depth limit for recreational diving is between 30 to 40 meters/100 to 133 feet, but it also depends on the training and the gases used while underwater.
Nuno Gomes (South Africa) currently holds the world record for the deepest dive using scuba diving equipment. The dive of 318 meters / 1044 feet beat the previous record set by the late John Bennet of 308 meters /1016 feet (confirmed). The total dive time was 12 hours and 20 minutes, while the descent took 14 minutes. French diver Pascal Bernabé claims to have dived to 1,083 feet (330 m) in July, 2005 (unconfirmed). The above records were set using 'recreational' SCUBA. Commercial divers can go to depths greater than 500 meters / 1650 feet using specialized commercial and military diving equipment and support systems.
What is important to remember that being underwater has limits and risks that professional divers are willing to take.
And remember that recreational scuba diving is for fun.
Dives between 5 to 20 meters/ 16 to 66 feet is enough to show you the wonderful world that was once explored by Cousteau. These depths have the advantage that provides divers with better light, colors and marine life. Also in shallow dives you will breathe less air from the tank, making your dive longer and safer.

These knowledge are acquired in the scuba diving courses,and are the key to be able to dive safely at all times.Knowledge of safety issues in diving equate to increased fun underwater for the diver knows at all times,what the limitations are how to avoid unnecessary risks.
Experience is also another key,the more dives you make ,the better able you can handle yourself , thats a reason why there are certain levels in the dive courses which a diver goes along. Its a step ladder process..
Start off with beginner then gain experience through exposure and gradually move up a notch and learn the more advanced diving tecniques .

Always keep it safe, dive within your ability.And the enjoyment is maximized.

====================================================================

learning to scuba dive




If you are interested in getting started in scuba diving, there are a few things to consider.
These things include your personal comfort level inwater to learn more easily the scuba diving basic skills.
The best thing you can do if you are interested in exploring the depths of the ocean is to take a basic scuba diving class..Sessions known as discovery dives where a dive pro will show you some basic skills and get you to practice them in a shallow water environment and then take you for a brief and controlled swim around underwater. Just to see if you can get the hang of it , some people are just cut out to be divers .Natural.

There are certifications that you can get starting from the 1st basic level ,all the way till you are qualified to teach scuba skills and certifiy divers as well. So if you are really thinking of trying it out to see if you are up for a full course then spend a few hours at 1st with a professional who can explain everything you need to know at the beginner level and go for a dive.. Most resorts and dive shops offer a basic course to get you started in a safe environment with a professional. You can learn a few steps and things about safety to ensure you have a good time and you know what you are doing. Most certified divers actually started this way. They werent very sure if they are capable of doing scuba diving at 1st so try it out to see.
Then once they realise just how easy it is to learn and not that demanding physically,they will sign up for a full course right after the intro dive.

IF you already are a capable swimmer ,it will be a cinch for you to take up diving..
Usually during the beginner course , you will learn what the diving equipment does and how to use it safely.For example , how to breathe properly using the breathing apparatus known as the regulator ,how to use the buoyancy jacket to control your diving profile while underwater,
how to clear your mask of water or use fins more efficiently.
All designed to maximise your enjoyment of the time spent underwater.
The 1st course is conducted usually over 5 dives where you will practice all the skills deemed important for safety considerations, plus a little bit of diving theory,learned very easygoing manner with dvds and textbook highlighting again whats safe and whats not ,(most people dont have problem with the theory part) and you are on your way to a full certification at the beginner level.
Scuba diving is a terrific way to unwind and meet people while on holiday, An added excuse
to go travelling to exotic tropical locales.And thats usually what gets a lot of divers hooked on the sport.
Build up your diving experience once you get your certification,Only way to do that is to dive , dive , dive . Slowly ,you train yourself up to dive with the best of them and thats where the adventure really starts.
There are so many dive destinations to choose from ,and all theses places have fantastic underwater adventures waiting for you to explore.
Diving is fun and therapeutic,no kidding! Imagine hovering about a weightless environment just drifting slowly along taking in the sights.
Well it is as close as you will get to what an astronaut feels like doing the space walk..
==================================================================

Click Here!..stream online movies,tv shows,music

share

Subscribe Now: poweredby

Powered by FeedBurner