Jimmy Cox asked:


Since man first began scratching pictures upon the walls of his cave to depict his daily life, there has been a continuous record of his attempt to explore and exploit the sea. We find references to man’s propensities as a diver from the time of early historic man down to the present day. Man’s culture has, of course, been influenced strongly by his adventures above and below the surface of the sea.

First it is necessary that you learn the basic equipment and the reasons behind its use. It is axiomatic to say that a mastery of the skills utilized in skin diving is fundamental. The basic equipment used by the skin & Scuba diver consists primarily of three items; Mask, Fins, and Snorkel. Let us deal with each of these in turn.

MASK - Purpose

The mask is used to provide an air space between the eyeball and the water. Man’s eye is a very imperfect organ when exposed directly to the water. However, when an air space is introduced between the eye and the water, the eye functions normally. Due to the refraction of the water, objects viewed through the mask under water will be magnified by approximately 25 percent.

MASK - Fit

The mask should fit snugly, but not so tightly that it is uncomfortable. A good method of checking the fit of the mask is to put it in place, not using the head band, inhale slightly through the nostrils, and remove your hand. If the mask fits properly, the mask will remain in place until the slight vacuum you have created is released. If the mask leaks air around the face, it will also leak water. Selection of the proper mask is purely an individual affair, due to different facial contours, and taste.

FINS - Purpose

The purpose of the fins is to increase the surface or propelling area of the foot, thereby enabling the diver to greatly increase his thrusting force without an equal increase in effort.

FINS - Use

When the fin is put on the foot both it and the foot should be wet. The foot should be thrust well forward, and then the heel or strap (depending upon which type of fin is being used.) stretched up over the heel, much in the same manner one dons a pair of rubbers.

SNORKEL - Purpose

The snorkel has two primary purposes, both of prime importance to the skin diver. The purpose of the snorkel is to enable the diver to breathe without necessitating his holding his head up above the surface. This has tremendous import for the diver. The skin diver is thus enabled to lie prone in the water, his face fastened below the surface, scanning the bottom.

The second primary purpose of the snorkel is as a piece of emergency equipment. Obviously, if a diver is able to lie in a prone position without the necessity of raising his head for air, he is much more relaxed and rested. His endurance in emergency situations is greatly extended by the use of the snorkel.

SNORKEL - Use

As mentioned above, the snorkel’s purpose is to enable the diver to breathe while his face remains underwater. Therefore, the mouthpiece is held in the diver’s mouth while the straight “stem” of the J is placed between the headband of the divers mask and his head. Upon submerging, the diver’s breath is held against the snorkel.

Upon surfacing, the divers head returns to the horizontal with the open end of the snorkel projecting above the surface. The diver exhales through the snorkel with a short, sharp blast, much as though he were using a bean shooter, thereby voiding the snorkel of water and enabling him to begin breathing normally through the mouth. The optimum length of the snorkel is in the vicinity of 13 inches from the mouthpiece to the open end of the J.

Once you have this basic equipment, it is time to begin skin diving.

Mark Ryan E asked:


I am planning to learn scuba diving in the Philippines but I like the place to be low-priced but has a lot to offer terms of the beauty of the dive sites. If you can give an estimate how much I would spend for a period of time for diving and accomodations, that will be very much appreciated. Thanks!
OK I’m down to a few choices: Puerto Galera, Anilao, and Palawan. Which one is best? Let me know. And if you have other suggestions, that will be great. Thanks!

Vic asked:


What partial pressure of oxygen is a scuba diver breathing if the total pressure is 6.3 atm and 20 % of the air is oxygen?

teclishk asked:


Is it a must to know swimming before you do scuba diving? or you can learn both together?
I just wonder, if you do not know how to swim at all, is it possible to do scuba diving? since I think that it is a totally different technique.

Emma Lelliott asked:


If you dream of getting away from it all and relaxing on the Caribbean coast, a holiday in Guardalavaca, Cuba, could be just what you are looking for. Located near Holguin on the northeast coast of Cuba, Guardalavaca is something of a hidden gem when it comes to Cuban beach resorts. The beach is fantastic, the resort has plenty of activities to keep you occupied and Guardalavaca’s hotels are top notch, but the resort remains quiet, secluded and unspoilt, making it ideal for a relaxing beach vacation. Here are a few highlights for a Guardalavaca holiday.

The Beaches

Most people come to Guardalavaca for one thing and one thing only - time on the beach. As though it weren’t enough for a resort to have one beautiful beach, while you are on a Guardalavaca holiday you can choose from three - Guardalavaca beach itself, Esmerelda beach, and Playa Pesquero. There’s even a mini train that connects Guardalavaca beach to Esmerelda, making it easy to move between the two.

All three beaches feature pristine white sand that slopes gently into clear water, dotted with the occasional tree to provide a spot of shade. The presence of the coral reef at Guardalavaca keeps the water calm most of the time, making it perfect for families and gentle swimming. Catamarans, pedalos and other common beach activities are all available for those who would like to do more than sunbathe.

Reef Diving

Out of all the diving spots in Cuba, Guardalavaca is a real highlight for scuba enthusiasts due to the expansive coral reef, located a few miles offshore. Teeming with wildlife, the reef is a wonder to explore while scuba diving, with plenty of caves and sheer drops to see. If you tire of the coral reefs themselves, there are a number of shipwrecks that can also be seen. If you are interested in scuba diving, the resort has several diving centres who can arrange trips and equipment rental for the best dive sites.

Swimming with Dolphins

Swimming with dolphins can be an amazing experience, and if you are on holiday in Guardalavaca you will have the perfect opportunity to take part in this unique activity. Close to the resort is the Acuario Cayo Naranjo aquarium, where you can see spectacular dolphin, seal and walrus shows, and then swim with the dolphins yourself. The trainers will teach you how to get the dolphins to splash and clap, and there is also the chance to “surf” on the dolphins at the end of your swim. People of all ages are able to take part, and life jackets are provided.

Deep Sea Fishing

Deep sea fishing has been associated with Cuba ever since Ernest Hemingway (who was a keen hunter and fisherman when he wasn’t writing books) made the island his home in the 1930s, and the Cuban waters are rich with tuna, barracuda, sailfish, snapper, grouper, and many other kinds of fish. Those on holiday in Guardalavaca can take part in this exciting and demanding activity, and you don’t need to be a veteran fisherman to do it. Experienced crews can teach you the basics and take you out, and the concentration of fish around the reef makes Guardalavaca a great place to go for deep sea fishing trips.

Tom Sample asked:


Scuba diving opens up an adventure that’s unimaginable for those with land legs. The wonders that lie beneath the water’s surface are amazing. From the oceans and lakes to hidden caves and more, those who scuba see things that can only be imagined from the land.
Those starting out with scuba are not only advised to take classes, they’re generally required for rental of tanks, purchase of air and so on. Diving isn’t something that’s picked up in 20 minutes either. In fact, even experienced divers continue to take lessons or even prefer to teach them to help themselves stay on top of the game. Remember the world underwater does not belong to humans, so a solid understanding of how to survive is vital.
With proper use of diving equipment such as facemasks and air tanks, humans can descend into the world where sharks and whales rule; a place of shipwrecks, corral beds, colorful fish and more. But this world is inhospitable and requires a keen understanding for safety.
Those starting off will find the road to underwater depths takes some time to master. Recreational scuba divers generally stick to depths of 130 feet or less. Training for this is not as intensive as deep water diving since these dives don’t generally require decompression stops. When required these stops help the body pressurize to the new environmental conditions. Gravity has a new feel on the body under water than it does on land. Just like riding in an airplane, an adjustment period is required.
For those new to scuba, three different scuba certification agencies might be run into. The Professional Association of Diving, or PADI, is perhaps the best known. Then there are the National Association of Underwater Instructors, or NAUI, and the Scuba Schools International, or SSI. All three provide classes to get divers started on a hobby that’s incomparable in adventure.
Basic classes start off with classroom instruction to help students become familiar with the gear. This includes tanks, gauges and so on. Once students are comfortable with the gear, it’s time to put it on. Swimming with scuba gear is not like jumping in the water in simply a suit. It’s a whole new experience that requires some getting used to. This is where most schools will do “pool dives” to help acclimate students to the gear and its feel underwater.
Pool dives can be done right in a school’s own facilities, but oftentimes community pools are used. It is during this part of the lesson that potential scuba divers are born and those who might not find the sport to their liking will begin to discover this. Scuba is a serious sport that requires knowledge and understanding for safety.
Many diving schools will offer starter courses that continue for anywhere between four and eight weeks, depending on teaching style. Each lesson is important before recreational diving is attempted without an instructor present. In addition to diving, they generally include basic first aid and CPR.
After students are familiar with gear, understand how it feels, and are adept at reading its instruments, many schools will offer real dive excursions for beginning divers. These are valuable to attend and they give the first real glimpse of the world that awaits beneath the water.
Scuba diving is not a sport to be jumped into without careful preparation and classroom experience. For those who want to simply undergo recreational training, the depths of 130 feet more than suffice to see some great sights.

kiFUNki asked:


gosh! i just need one.. any price will do

justleesa asked:

another clip of Roger diving with vintage scuba equipment during the safety stop

poru asked:


I am a trained open water diver who handles cases of Aircraft accident crash at Entebbe International Airport. I would like to extend my diving skills so that I render better services in this profession. The problem I can not aford to sponsor my self due limited income.

kiki_kaka_koko_keke asked:


in scuba diving?