It’s always been human nature to want to get to know more of the world. While we’re very well aware this happened on a large scale on land, with all the conquests, battles and mapping, it’s also true for the vastness of the oceans. Though scuba diving seems as a somewhat modern activity, people have actually given it a try in ancient times as well, of course without the use of the advanced equipment we have nowadays. The legends and Aristotle’s records of Alexander of Macedon’s successful hiding underwater in a diving bell during the siege of Tyre (Lebanon) and the primitive submarine built in ancient China in 200BC are just some examples of that wish to explore the secrets of the underwater.
After the many attempts over the centuries to come up with the ideal scuba gear, which resulted in rather heavy and not very safe to use models, it was Jacques Cousteau, the famous scientist, explorer and innovator, together with engineer Emille Gagnan, who during WWII set the grounds for recreational diving with their Aqua-Lung, the diving regulator, and it’s where scuba as a word originated from as the acronym for self-contained underwater breathing apparatus. What helped make it such a widespread recreational activity was scuba equipment salesman John Cronin and swimming instructor Ralph Erickson’s creation of the
scuba training organisation PADI, short for Professional Association of Diving Instructors, in 1966.
This gave people the chance to get the scuba certification and training from professionals, all the skills and techniques needed to be mastered, as well as how to use the gear for a fun and safe dive. If you wish to become part of the scuba craze, all you have to do is choose the bits and pieces of scuba gear, practice as much as you can and make the most of the underwater explorations. Once you start diving, you’d see another world open up to you when you see all the creates you had no idea existed, and be amazed of how connected you are with nature. Of course, you can always rent some basic equipment, but there’s nothing like having your own because for one you know how well it’s maintained, and as second it’s customised for your body. It’s worth the purchase in the long run, especially if you plan on making diving part of most of your vacations.
Before you set out to explore the greatness of the oceans, make sure you have what you need, starting from a wetsuit, mask, snorkel, fins, dive computer or a dive watch and BCD (buoyancy compensator). Cleaning them well after diving is essential for their durability and can save you from money on repairs and replacements. Once scuba diving becomes part of your life, you won’t be able to quit it and turn it into the perfect hobby that can work both ways, as quality bonding time with loved ones, and getting to know mother nature more.