Triggerfish,underwater thug,gangster

(titan trigger)

I swear,if ever i were to acknowledge intelligence in a fish,the titan trigger fish will rate highly as a candidate in my book. There have been a few undesirable encounters with this particular species and they have been quite memorable.

In tropical waters where they thrive,and where there is diving activity,dive professionals operating those places are actually more wary of the triggerfish than they are of the other

potentially aggresive marine animals.

Reef sharks ...only when provoked or spooked,becomes aggresive but behaviour predictable for the divers who can recognise the signs of aggression thus can anticipate or avoid the confrontation, stonefishes,scorpionfishes and other marine critters with venomous spines can be avoided if the pro knows where to look and what to avoid.

In fact most marine creatures that may have harmful or aggresive tendencies can be easily avoided and mishaps prevented from happening under a very experienced dive pro.

As for the triggerfish,especially the titan triggerfish, whenever they are sighted while diving,the diver needs to be very cautious when they are around. With a reputation of being very territorial, triggerfishes can get very protective over their home turf. esp. their nests, whatever that ventures too close for comfort will be fiercely chased away.! Which is why so many incidences with divers and triggerfishes happen..

The average diver when underwater usually glides nonchalantly over the reef and might not realise they have wandered right next to the triggerfish nest, and thus provokes the fish into drastic measures to deal with the perceived invasion, At first,they give warning charges at the target,( fish or diver) And if after few warning charges are unheeded, then they will actually change tactics and ram into the target with their very powerful jaws.

AS a dive pro for so many years,i have had my share of encounters,and if you have been rammed by a trigger,it feels like someone just whack you with a hammer.

They usually get you from the rear, sneak attack.Luckier victims get rammed on their swim fins,

or scuba tank, But at times they aim for the legs, and god forbid,the head., in which case,the force is enough to open up a nasty gash that requires stitching and knock the diver unsconscious and cause a serious concussion. (Horror stories i can tell about being at the receiving end or a witness to these ramming attcks.) I have seen nasty gashes inflicted on a fellow diver who happens to be a doctor,on his skull,he had to stich himself ,3 stiches the wound needed, Few years back,a fellow professional got rammed on right side of the head and very unfortunately the fish decided to take a nip on his earlobe and almost bit it off, (seriously this actually happened in Redang island Malaysia where i work) Just as well,doctors were able to reattach this colleague's almost severed earlobe after the incident.

Yet the titan is not always aggresive,most times when they are spotted,and seen grazing around,they are quite docile,the diver can get very close to it observing it as it feeds on sea urchins or picking at the sea bottom for crustaceans.

Quite intriguing to watch,they actually demonstrate slight intelligence when feeding. Can observe them sucking water into their mouths then blow into the sandy bottom to force the crustaceans hiding in the sand out and they just pick them off. Or watch it feed on sea urchins,i have seen the fish delicately pick up the urchin with it's mouth,swim backwards up higher then drop the urchin on a coral head to turn it over so they can get at the bottom fleshy part of the urchin.

Maybe its my perception, about this fish having slight intelligence, but its does learn from experience. There used to be a triggerfish in a reef which our dive community named mr. Nasty,

because was very territorial and never docile.Everytime divers encroaches its turf in a coral patch,it will without fail,charge at the divers.But then,before that ,it actually hides itself in the coral head,so divers dont actually know its there .

For a time, it will come out of its hiding spot at last possible minute and charge at the 1st diver

in a group,but usually that 1st diver will be the dive guide or leader armed with a metal rod or

pointer to ward it off or prod it if it came too close.

After some time ,it was noticed that mr. Nasty has changed its tactics. Instead of the 1st diver,it will then wait for the group of divers to pass before it sneakily comes out from its hiding place and charges at the last diver in file.Got to a point when it actually was decided it had become too much of a menace to the diving community and had to go.Many divers got injured. But sadly,only way to remove it as a threat was to use a spear gun.

There are certain periods during the year when they are to be avoided like a plaque. Nesting season,Usually june to August depending on geographic location. Nesting season is when both females and males work together to lay their eggs and guard their nests and they do so very thoroughly. There will be a perimeter surrounding the nest which nothing is allowed to encroach,anything that moves which wanders into this area will be sternly chased off.

Both the male and female guard their eggs and nest very aggresively.The male patrols the outer perimeter and chases off intruders and the female guards the immediate vicinity of the nest,and generally is the more aggresive of the pair.

Dive guides will be on high alert for trigger nests during nesting season because it is almost guaranteed that the trigger fish will charge at anything that ventures near its nest.

From a distance,when diver sees titan triggerfishes,few questions come to mind.Is the fish swimming aggresively chasing other fishes? Is the triggerfish swimming around in a same area occasionally tilting to it side?( thats when its scoping the upper area,they have cone vision so when in patrol mode they swim straight and then tilted to scope a larger area for signs of intruders ) More importantly, is there a pair in a small area? (sure sign of nesting) If diving along sandy bottoms , look out for indentations(craters) in the sea bottom where its has clumps of coral in the centre? (Triggerfish build their nest like birds, they swim around looking for loose bits of broken coral to build their nests.,after using their mouths to suck in water and then blow a small crater in the sandy bottom,the corals are stacked into the middle of the crater,where eventually they deposit their eggs)

Swim away from theses signs, make a beeline around them,or swim up and above maintaining a respectful distance so you dont go too close,otherwise it is an invitation for disaster.

(red tooth)


There are many species of Triggerfishes,and marjority of them are none threatening,the most aggresive of the types of triggerfishes is the Titan trigger,then there is the yellow margined triggers, more docile than the titan,normally not known to charge divers but gets aggresive also when nesting.Also the red tooth triggers.

(clown trigger)

( yellow margined trigger)

AS for the other types of triggerfishes , they are to be admired,patterns on their bodies can be very strikingly colorful and unique. There is the clown trigger(my personal favourite) its a beautiful fish or the picasso trigger.,boomerang trigger,patterns on their body are really attractive,and they are all none aggresive at all.

Only the Titan trigger fish is to be respected and be cautious when they are around as most dive pros will advice you.

(boomerang trigger)





(picasso trigger)

Jellyfish,weird ,dangerous intriguing

Buoyancy control in scuba diving. All instructors worth their salt will insist that their students can achieve a certain level of proficiency before they will put their name on the certification

and sign the student off as a bona fide open water diver.

The whole course main emphasis revolves around good buoyancy control from the very 1st session inwater and continues on till the last boat dive where the student can by then demonstrate to the instructor the ability

to have good control if not mastery of their buoyancy while swimming underwater. A prerequisite of all the diver certification agencies.

The ability to be in control of your position while underwater can

prevent a lot of potential mishaps, crashing into a reef breaking delicate corals, or avoiding injury to the diver's air spaces,or swimming straight into the path of a free floating jellyfish.

Sting from most jellyfishes arent lethal except for a few species,yet can be excruciatingly painful.

On the other hand ,if the skill is mastered, the enjoyment factor is

increased manifold.

mysterious inner space

findin nemo,lesson in hardship

The cute little clown-fish, in Finding NEMO ,the movie.Wonder how many people actually realize what the poor thing has to endure just to find his little niche in the aquatic realm.
The hardship it has to put up with just to have shelter from its enemies. There is a lesson there,of endurance,patience and pain.!
When these little critters hatch,they are so tiny,like the size of a small sand pebble,and immediately they struggle for survival,in a batch of 100s or so hatch-lings,they do not immediately find a place to live,what happens is ,they will drift with sea currents until they come to an anemone patch,and that journey would have taken a toll on the numbers,free swimming in the open sea has its risks, 70 to 80% of them would have been decimated by fishes,having done their part in contributing to the food chain. And of the ones that are left to claim their right to exist,they still have a painful obstacle to cross.
Talk about the hassle of house hunting,if you are griping about paying through your teeth for the next 100 years and bitching about how you have to slave away just to get a roof over your head.! Well have a thought for the poor little clown-fish ,just a baby ,cannot immediately move in to the anemone it has chosen to live in . Rather,it has to swim into the anemone and dart out almost immediately. Because it gets stung by the host anemone,and no joke ,anemones are cousins of the jellyfish with the same stinging properties so it gives you an idea of what the poor fish puts up with.
Then it will swim back in the anemone again only to repeat the process of getting stung very painfully till its gets unbearable for the fish and it swims out for a breather. Only to repeat the process,again and again,
Close analogy will be like having stinging  fire ants on your body,then brushing them off,then getting some more again,brush off, and again,few dozen times more .
Theres a lesson to be learnt here from  this tiny fish,poor thing , life's just beginning and already so much pain and suffering,but no giving up, persevere, for the ultimate reward is security in a new home.
      It swims in and out so many times till eventually it's body develops a mucous that protects it from the stings,then it can finally settle into the anemone and be protected from its predators,other fishes , which will get stung too if they get close to the anemone.
         It takes a little fishy tale to remind us how to cope with the pains and endure the tough breaks in life ...,
     For this little fish had a definite objective..
It had a clear vision of what it wanted to achieve and where it wanted to go , Then it just grit it's, teeth and stubbornly endures the pain and sufferings along the way. Perseverance builds up resilience and mental toughness ,it could endure until it achieved it's goal.
              OF making the ANEMONE home!

How many people can imitate the resilience demonstrated by  this fishy tale of endurance.?
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Swim test for beginners divers

swim test for divers.


The good news is that they're not difficult at all, some tips below to make them even easier.

All dive training agencies require a swim test before participation in the dive course,requirement for certification.its needed to pass the following two water skills tests at some point during your Open Water course:

Float or tread water for 10 minutes in deep water Most people naturally float in water and should easily be able to pass this test by just lying on their back and floating. If you don't float naturally you might need to gently tread water. The best method is to just relax and let the water help you float.

200 meter/yard continuous surface swim or 300 meter/yard swim with mask, fins, and snorkel It's important to note that the swim is untimed, but continuous – which means you can take as long as you like, just as long as you don't stop. If you're not a strong swimmer there are two ways to give yourself a better chance of completing the swim:

1.If you choose to do the 200 meter/yard swim you can take it slow and steady by back sculling (lying on your back and gently kicking and paddling with your hands), because as long as you're continuously moving forward you're OK.

2.The second option is rarely mentioned by instructors but is actually a very good alternative - do the 300 meter/yard swim with mask, fins, and snorkel, because despite the longer distance even weak swimmers should find it easier to swim with the extra equipment. Again the key is to remember that slow and steady wins this race.
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Asthma and scuba,

Scuba Diving with Asthma

People with asthma can lead active lives, but they may have to take special precautions when engaging in particular activities -- including scuba diving.

Asthma and Physical Activity
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory lung disease. The inflammation of the airways can trap air deep within the lungs, resulting in their over-expansion. However, there are numerous asthma medications available to treat this inflammation and air-trapping. Many national and international organizations that publish asthma treatment guidelines stress that people with asthma should be able to lead active, healthy normal lives, including participating in many different sports and activities.
Asthma and Scuba Diving
Scuba diving has long been a popular recreational activity, with over 5 million certified divers in the United States and hundreds of thousands of people becoming newly certified every year. As asthma occurs in 5 to 10% of the population, many of these divers have asthma. In the recent past, however, people with asthma were told not to scuba dive due to the mostly theoretical dangers that are present.

People with asthma would seem to be more prone to accidents from scuba diving. Many asthmatics have air trapped in their lungs, which can expand during ascent to the surface, causing the airways within the lungs to to rupture (barotrauma). If barotrauma occurs within the lungs, air can get into the blood vessels, forming an air bubble that can lodge in the brain or other organs. This is called an air embolism.

Asthma attacks during scuba diving also seem likely, given that many people have worsening asthma symptoms during exercise, such as with scuba diving. In addition, scuba divers breath cold, dry, compressed air, which can cause worsening symptoms in asthmatics. An asthmatic who is scuba diving at significant depths could not possibly use a rescue inhaler for a long period of time until ascent to the surface was accomplished, which could theoretically make an asthma attack worse for the above reasons.

Aspiring scuba divers need a doctor’s medical clearance before becoming certified to scuba dive. Many doctors, or dive instructors, have been reluctant to allow asthmatics to scuba dive, mostly based on theoretical concerns. However, studies on scuba diving accidents have not shown that asthmatics are at an increased risk for injuries. This may be because people with significant asthma may choose not to scuba dive because the activity causes an increase in asthma symptoms.

Guidelines for Scuba Diving If You Have Asthma
Despite data not showing that asthmatics are at a significant increased risk for diving injuries, many diving medicine authorities recommend that asthmatics follow special guidelines:

•People with past or present asthma should see a doctor familiar with the risks of asthma in scuba diving for a complete physical examination and spirometry.

•Scuba divers should have normal spirometry at rest, and in response to an exercise challenge which can be performed in a doctor’s office. Those with abnormal spirometry at rest, in response to exercise, or those who experience asthma symptoms with cold/dry air exposure should not dive.

•Asthma should be controlled with medications before a person participates in scuba diving.

•A person should not scuba dive if he is experiencing an increase in asthma symptoms, or if he has needed to use a rescue inhaler in the past few days prior to a planned dive.
It would therefore seem reasonable for a well-controlled asthmatic, with normal spirometry and without the need for frequent rescue inhaler use, to participate in scuba diving. It is important for asthmatics to be aware of the possible increased risk for injuries during scuba diving, which could potentially be life-threatening, and to discuss these risks with their doctor.

Asthmatic scuba divers should have frequent, routine doctor visits with spirometry performed to ensure that their asthma is well-controlled prior to diving. It would also seem reasonable for an asthmatic to use a rescue inhaler approximately 30 minutes before diving as a preventative measure against asthma symptoms, just as many asthmatics do before other forms of exercise.

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types of diving and who can learn to dive

About Scuba Diving
All the basics you need to know about scuba diving


Scuba Certification
Scuba diving is swimming underwater using SCUBA - Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. Using a cylinder of compressed gas to breathe (usually air, but sometimes other gases), scuba divers can stay underwater much longer than would be possible by just holding their breath - for hours.

With the assistance of equipment such as scuba masks, breathing regulators, buoyancy devices, fins, and gauges scuba divers can explore the underwater world. Modern scuba diving is very safe and easy to learn. All basic skills can be learned in as little as 4 days.

Scuba diving is a sport that is practiced recreationally all around the world and can even be a profession. There are many diving jobs such as recreational divemaster and instructor, commercial diver, police diver, scientific diver, and military diver.

Why do people scuba dive?
For some it's the beauty of the reef and the marine life that inhabits it, for others it's the thrill of discovery deep inside a wreck or cave - everyone has a different reason for scuba diving, but most would agree that it's for the sheer enjoyment of experiencing the underwater world, a world so far removed from ours that it will truly amaze you. Whether you want to relax while photographing brightly colored tropical fish, be thrilled by the power and grace of a school of sharks, or make a living working underwater, scuba diving has it all.

Who can scuba dive?
The simple answer is - almost anyone. Scuba divers are aged from 8 years and over and come from all walks of life. Here are some basic considerations:

•Age
Children as young at 8 years old can start diving with programs taught in the safety of shallow water and aimed specifically at young children. From the age of 10 years old children can be certified as Junior Open Water Divers and those 15 years and older can be certified as Open Water Divers. There are no upper age limits.

•Health
You need to be in a state of good health. This doesn't mean you need to be super-fit, but you have to be free of any serious medical problems. You'll answer a medical questionnaire when you sign up for a course and if you or your instructor have any concerns you will be referred to a medical doctor for assessment. You will also need to be able to swim and float or tread water.

•Disabilities
Scuba diving is accessible to people with physical disabilities. Many instructors are trained to provide courses tailored to physically challenged divers and there are diving societies whose primary goal is to facilitate and promote diving for physically challenged people.
What types of scuba diving are there?
There are many types of scuba diving which means there's always something new to do and see. Here are the most popular types:

•Recreational
Most divers are recreational divers and this is the form of diving that is devoted to having fun. Some divers love looking at fish and coral, but there are also many specialized areas of scuba diving. After Open Water certification you can complete courses in all sorts of specialties including, but not limited to: night diving, wreck diving, deep diving, navigation, fish identification, underwater naturalism, photography, videography, cave diving, ice diving, altitude diving, and rescue diving.

•Technical
Some recreational divers want to explore the marine world even further than recreational diving equipment and training allows. Technical diving encompasses areas such as extreme deep diving, advanced wreck diving, and advanced cave diving. Technical diving is for very experienced recreational divers and requires specialised training and equipment.

•Commercial
Commercial divers scuba dive for a living. They build underwater structures such as oil platforms, carry out underwater maintenance, conduct surveys, create maps, participate in salvage operations, and work in many other diving related occupations.

•Military
Military diving is similar to commercial diving but also involves such tasks as underwater surveillance, mine clearing, and military research. Military divers and scientists have historically been responsible for most advances in dive equipment and dive medicine.
Where do people scuba dive?
You can scuba dive anywhere you can find water. Over two-thirds of the planet is covered by water, so you can dive almost anywhere. Tropical coral reefs tend to be most popular amongst recreational divers but there are also many wonderful things to be found in cold water environments such as lakes, rivers, and quarries.

Divers can be found in all corners of the globe from the tropical reefs of the Caribbean and the Great Barrier Reef, to the world's biggest lake in Siberia - even under the ice of Antarctica. While most dive shops and resorts operate in warm tropical environments it's also common to find local dive centers and dive clubs in most cities around the world - even inland cities with no water.


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whats a scuba wetsuit and why you need it for scuba diving

AS a diver,the wetsuit is a suit that is a must, regardless of where you may be diving .Apart from keeping the diver warm ,it also afford protection from cuts and scrapes from corals or other sharp objects that can cause nasty infections. The scuba diving wetsuit is available in a variety of forms, types and options. For extreme cold environments.There is the dry suit, where thermal protection worn underneath the waterproof suit helps the diver stay warmer when diving in near freezing waters.
Alternatively,in warmer waters, a full length suit or a shorty suit will be adequate . Even temperate waters causes the body to lose heat quite rapidly because
water is a very efficient conductor of heat and if the divers body is not insulated,body heat is conducted away more rapidly in comparison to a dry environment and may force you to cut your dive short,due to body's core temperature dropping so fast,the diver starts shivering and in effect spoiling the fun of diving .

The average human body maintains the optimal body temperature around the core or torso area where all the main and vital organs are at.Heat needs to be maintained around this area, only then temperatures around the extremities of the arms, hands, legs and feetcan be kept constant. A full wetsuit enables the diver to maintain a more even distribution of body temperature to the extremities.
Ideally suited for slightly colder waters, whilst the shorty wetsuit with a thickness of 2 - 4 mm is quite adequate for the warmer tropical waters, when
scuba diving.

A lot of divers prefer the shorty wetsuit, beacause of the flexibility of movement it allows than the full length one, or what is more commonly refered to as the steamer suit, but it all boils down to personal choice,and what makes the diver more comfortable.And also,the environment which the diver more often ventures into ,determines the choice of suit they 'd prefer to have.

IF the diver regularly dives in a variety of different locations, theres is the detachable wetsuit which is a strong contender for selection.This is a typically full sized suit, with detachable arms and legs, which can convert into a shorty type suit. You could detach the legs and leave the arms on or vice versa, and effectively have a ubiquitous all condition suit , and in line with your preferences too.

Always remember wetsuits also gives protection when diving, from both stings,cuts or scrapes that may be caused by diving around coral and sharp edges of wrecks or rocks, which also explains the preference for the full sized suit, to afford them that protection. Not to mention the harmful UV rays of the sun.

If picking up the activity of scuba diving nthen investment in wetsuit can be quite significant depending on what type you opt for, as well as what sort of conditions you most frequently dive in; therefore you should either select a suit that caters for the majority of your dives or even consider the detachable option which gives you so much more flexibility when diving in different conditions and under a variety of differing situations.
Generally ,thickness of the suit selected is based on the environment the diver most often will be exposed to.
TRopical waters usually range from 25 degrees to 30 degrees celcius plus so a shorty or fullsuit of 3mm is suitable.Anything cooler than 25 degrees celcius means that if unprotected the diver will get hyporthermic very rapidly and if the insulation wasnt enough
then getting chilled or starting to shiver comes very fast so it will be more advisable to have at least a full suit 5mm in thickness.Thickest wetsuit comes at 7mm and thermal insulation for waters as cold as 15 degrees.
Any colder and the dry suit is next in line.
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whats it like to dive perhentians of malaysia

The crystal clear waters and brilliant white sandy beaches of the Perhentian Islands in Malaysia have for many years captured the hearts and imaginations of the backpackers and travelers who passed through. Recent years however have seen a different type of traveler coming to the Perhentian Islands, as their reputation as a premier diving destination has slowly increased amongst the scuba diving community.

In fact it would be fair to say that a large amount of the success of the Perhentian Islands as a scuba diving location should be attributed to the neighboring Thailand, and the dive resorts of Koh Tao, Phuket and Koh Samui. Large numbers of travelers who have learned to scuba dive in the larger Thai resorts often find themselves gravitating to the natural beauty of the Perhentian Islands. Looking for one last dive before the hustle and bustle of Kuala Lumpur and Singapore!

The Perhentian Islands comprise of Pulau Perhentian Kecil and Pulau Perhentian Besar, and are located approximately 20 kilometers off the coast of Malaysia. Offering what can only be described as a slice of paradise, the palm fringed beaches encircle these tropical islands, whilst the clear blue waters hide a wealth of marine and coral life below.

The scuba diving in the Perhentian Islands is of a high standard, and a wide range of dive sites has meant that the islands have become a popular destination for people looking to take a scuba diving course. There are approximately ten major dive sites which are regularly visited by the dive centers in the Perhentian Islands. Of these, Tokong Laut (Temple of the Sea) is widely acknowledged as being the best dive site on the islands. A large rocky outcrop of boulders just off the northwest coast of Perhentian Kecil offers some of the best examples of soft coral formations in the region. This carpet of stunning soft corals provides a home to a wide variety of marine life including kingfish, barracuda, nurse sharks and black tip sharks.

For fans of wreck diving, there are two excellent dive sites in the Perhentian Islands. The Sugar Wreck, a 90 meter long  cargo ship in 18 m depth which sank in 2000, and the Vietnamese Wreck at 25m ,were it is still possible to dive inside the wreck itself.

If you are planning to go scuba diving in the Perhentian Islands, the best time to visit is between April to October, when both the visibility and weather are at their most favorable. November to March sees the monsoon season, when the weather becomes poor and access to and from the islands becomes limited due to the rough seas.

The Perhentian Islands offer superb scuba diving, and the shallow nature of the dive sites here make it a good choice for the novice or more inexperienced scuba diver. However what makes the islands so very special is their stunning natural beauty and undeveloped landscapes. You truly feel as though you are diving in your very own piece of paradise!

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learning diving at redang island,jewel of south china sea peninsular

Widely acknowlegeded as "the" dive destination of peninsular malaysia,Redang is truly the jewel of the south china sea in peninsular Malaysia.
The beautiful island of Pulau Redang lies about 45 km north-northeast of Kuala Terengganu, or 22 km off Tanjung Merang, the closest point on the mainland.

Originally settled by the Bugis people from Celebes, Indonesia, Many of their descendants are now working the tourist trade in Redang while others have moved to the mainland.

Over the years, Redang has grown to be one of the most popular destinations for tourists and divers due its pristine nature and rich marine environment.
In 1991, the Redang archipelago was gazetted as the Pulau Redang Marine Park, becoming a protected site under the Government.
The Redang archipelago constitutes the islands of Pulau Redang, Pulau Lima, Pulau Paku Besar, Pulau Paku Kecil, Pulau Kerengga Kecil, Pulau Kerengga Besar, Pulau Ekor Tebu, Pulau Ling and Pulau Pinang.

Pulau Redang at 7 km long and 6 km wide is the largest island. The highest peak is Bukit Besar at 359 metres above sea-level.

A very exclusive 5 star resort has a bay all to themselves in Teluk Dalam on the northern side of the island.
Then there are 2 more private bays with smaller sized resorts catering to the
locals with tighter purse strings.

Mainly most of the activity is dominated by a collection of 10 resorts all on a stretch of beach known as Pasir Panjang on the eastern side of the island.
Resorts at redang have a diverse range of 4 star type facilities to the basic room and board accomodation.
Redang island is not popular among the backpackers simply because the range of accomodation is more geared towards family oriented packages.Almost all the resorts at this island sell similar packages ,3d 2n full room and board minimum with add ons.Not known as on the beaten track for backpackers,not much choice in terms of
rooms only style accomodation,most of the resorts provide food and lodging,snorkelling trips and boat travel in and out of island all for a packaged rate prepaid before venturing into island.
Only thing separated are the diving rates which can be bought separately while in the resorts or also prepaid at resort's office or through your bookings online.

Learning to scuba dive here is actually quite affordable in comparison to the other islands and at the same time fantastic.
It is probably one of the if not the best locale to learn scuba diving due to the fantastically ideal house reef so friendly for beginners.
Redang is currently acknowledged as the premier dive destination among the local dive community which is rightly deserving beacuse the dive sites here offer something for almost every level of diver qualification.
Entry level divers alll have nothing but praise for the environment of scuba learning here because so many of the sites are perfect for the needs of the beginner diver.
Of the many islands in peninsular malaysia where scuba instructions can be had,not many of them have the training sites comparable to Redang's house reef in Pasir Panjang.
In many ways its like a oversized swimming pool with clarity so good its breathtaking.No currents ,waves most of the time,almost too good to be true.
After which the regular dive sites are all but a short boat hop from the beach,if ever there was an island designed for beginners to learn to dive ,Redang is it.
Except for the exclusive 4 star resort with their own private beach,needless to say the dive charges will reflect on the status,whereas the resorts on Pasir Panjang stretch all have their own dive schools.
As for the dive schools rates ,its not very a competitive environment so prices for the diving and courses are also quite similar.
To choose which school to learn,you will have to use your gut to go with the one that appeals to you the most.
Check out the training sets and the instructor who will be doing your courses at the respective dive schools. Location is another criteria. Of course the school right in front of the house reef will figure higher on my selection then again a few of the schools there have exactly that.
it will also be helpful to check out the communication skills of the instructor
if you are expecting the course to be done in english.
Redang dive schools are slightly different from Perhentians in that the instructors or divemasters here and their command of english isnt exactly fluent.
Facilities at most of the dive schools are quite well kept since unlike some other islands in malaysia ,all the dive schols at redang actually are resort owned operations so normally they have a more flexible budget to stock their dive centers.

You can purchase a dive package from most of the resorts where a minimum stay of 4d 3n is needed and where the beginner course will be conducted over the period with 5 dives included.
But if you were to want to really enjoy diving redang make sure you stay at least 6 days which will give you time to learn the dive course and allocate some extra dives in as well.i'd will not recommend highly which school to go ,more of a personal choice while you are there,just walk the beach and ask around while getting a feel of the place or school you are checking out.Eventhough every resort has their own dive centre ,you can still cross over to another resort's dive school to learn to dive there,and the thing about Redang dive centres which ranks it above others is that its a close cooperative community of dive pros.If the dive resort you are staying at happens to be too busy,they will actually send you over to another instructor at another resort along the same beach.

At the end of it,it all still comes down to personal preference and gut feel towards the school or instructor you chose to go with regardless of the resort.
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Learning to scuba in perhentian islands in Malaysia

Perhentians,it means stopover in malay, There are few acounts on how the islands came about the name but mainly,the more popular version and probably more acurate one is that these islands were where local fishermen would go to for shelter in the advent of a storm or stopover to replenish their provisions when they are out at sea.

Located at the north-eastern coast of Peninsular Malaysia. About 21 km off shore the remote town of Kuala Besut. Two lovely tropical islands lie amidst exquisitely clear waters. Pulau Perhentian Kecil (Small Perhentian) and Perhentian Besar (Big Perhentian) comprise the Perhentian Islands. A rocky virgin jungle provides hours of adventures for trekkers who may chance upon flying fox, long-tailed macaques and monitor lizards, while the marine life shows off a splendid garden of coral. The diving season runs from March to October.

The sea in Early march and late october can be still a little rough. No particular month has the best condition for diving but July and August are the most busy months.

The water temperature is consistently warm so wetsuits are not essential. A 3mm shortie will provide additional comfort.

Backpackers usually head to the small island,or Pasir panjang (long beach)Perhentian kecil.
Accomodation here is very affordable but very basic,most just a fan and a bed with mosquito net that runs from rm30 to rm50 a night depending on location.There are more comfortable lodgings which ranges from rm80 to rm150 which gets you air conditioning and attached bathrooms.
Two beaches are on the small island , long beach and on the other side is coral bay.
Accesible or connected by a 15 min trek thru the jungle.
Learning to scuba dive i'd recommend staying at long beach.Dive schools are located through out the beach and if you are looking for a good price for a dive course,ask around 1st.
This beach can be considered one of the most competitive in peninsular malaysia because the rates vary greatly from whats published even on the written boards.

Constant price war is the norm here esp. among the dive schools trying to sign up
beginners.
But if i were to sign up for a dive course ,the 1st thing i'd consider is location of the school and proximity to the beach. Personally i'd prefer selecting the dive schools at the very tip of the beach where the jetty is because thats where the house reef is and most of the training for beginners is done right there.
Basically you'd just don your gear and wade in the beach at a very relaxed pace of learning,if the dive school is just there.

If you were learning from a dive school from the center of the beach ,they'd send you there by boat,of course ,meaning you;d be subject to time constraints because the boat will have schedules to send divers out diving.
The reef itself is an excellent training site in terms of clarity and depth and it also qualifies as a dive site on its own merit.

Make sure that you will not be short changed by the dive school. Usually a complete open water course involves 5 dives. 3 off the beach or something similar and 2 boat dives.Last one being a leisure dive where no skills are performed,just scuba diving for fun.

Some dive schools will just take you out on a boat just off the beach and dive in(more cost effective for them) when they are suppose to take you to another regular dive site.
At least make sure your dive log can show a max depth of 15m.More for personal experience.
Over at Perhentian besar or Big Perhentian island ,it has a slightly different environment. You will not come across any undercutting of course fees here,the whole
perhentian besar island's dive schools have very consistent courses fees which doesnt fluctuate much from each other.
If it is cheaper (wont be by much) and probably has more to do with personal negotiation because published rates are very similar.

In terms of facilities,or structure ,you get a higher sense of professionalism in the dive schools scattered throughout the big island.
Long beach(small island) is the party beach ,more for budget conscious backpackers who want cheap booze and cheap food,cheap diving etc whereas big island is more geared towards the better heeled or those looking for very quiet R n R Island time.

Personally if i want the perfect quiet and idylic R n R at Perhentians ,i'd either select to stay at coral bay beach at small island or if i have deeper wallet i go for Teluk Dalam bay,way on the quiet side of the big island,there is a sense of seclusion at this bay away from the major boat traffic
areas of both islands.There is a small affordable resort to a 4 star resort on this bay.And need i mention very relaxed pace learning to dive here,all dive schools all right nect to the beach.

Or alternatively,at the big island ,and still cost conscious about price of dive course ,look for accomodation at the stretch of beach opposite the village.Room and Board is decent and comfortable ,bit pricier than small island but course fees at this stretch is more flexible, also beaches here more quiet less hectic feel,cleaner even than long beach.

AS for dive sites ,almost all the dive centers(both islands) go to the same sites throughout,so at certain times ,some of the sites can be congested with divers,esp the more popular ones.
Signature sites being Temple of the sea , Tiga rocks Tanjung Basi and of course the very popular "sugar wreck" and the other more challenging "vietnamese wreck'
You will not be taken to theses dive sites during your dive course,only after you are certified,will you will be considered to be taken to dive there counted as extra dives,of course.

At the end of the day,it boils down to how much time you have allocated for your stay,the best way to get a feel for the perhentians is to stay at both islands and get a sense of just how different they are,Few days at long beach than just take a water taxi across and check in wherever the other side.The crystal clear waters and brilliant white sandy beaches of the Perhentian Islands in Malaysia have for many years captured the hearts and imaginations of the backpackers and travelers.
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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
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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.

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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.

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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..
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