I found a gorgeous video of diving the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. It is both instructional and beautiful – filled w/ coral, turtles, sting ray, fish as well as training. Good mini scuba lesson review (it includes parts of a divers certification test) as well as very fun watching. Nice closeups of sea life at the end.

If you do get to go diving, Sea Gold Anti-Fog – 5 Star Rated Gel works really well so your face mask doesn’t get fogged.

It is ironic that that even though a diver may be surrounded by water, dehydration can be a life-threatening problem.

When you don’t have enough water in your system, you become dehydrated. Water is essential to function clearly and easily. Unfortunately, it is easy to not get enough water.

Why You Need Water

Water is essential for cells to carry out chemical reactions. Tissues require fluid to keep flexible. Water is needed to produce blood and keep it flowing properly throughout the cardiovascular system.

How Water Is Lost

When scuba diving, water is mainly lost simply from breathing. It is also lost from sweat (yes, even underwater) or urination.

Normal breathing expels considerable moisture into the air. You can prove this by breathing close to a piece of glass. Underwater breathing actually accelerates that effect because the air in scuba tanks is significantly drier than ordinary surface air. Moisture is quickly used while just breathing.

Problems From Losing Water

Blood and muscle tissues are adversely affected when there is not enough fluid. When the body is dehydrated, blood flow is lessened in the tissues. This reduces the body’s ability to absorb and release nitrogen. Unfortunately, this increases the amount of time needed to perform a safe ascent.

Remember, in order to avoid decompression sickness, a diver needs to ascend in a controlled way – climbing no faster than 30 feet per minute. Often, several additional stops at various depths on the way up are commonly recommended. If one skips this, one gets ‘the bends’ – joint pain, cramps (legs, arms, abdominal, etc) and a number of other nasty consequences.

If nitrogen can’t be released at the proper rate, ascents can take longer – and you may run out of oxygen. That is a situation we all want to avoid.

Dehydration can also cause faster fatigue which can lessen your enjoyment and shorten your dive. This is due to lowered blood flow which make your heart pump faster.

How To Re-Hydrate

Fortunately, it’s easy to achieve the proper level of hydration before and after a dive.

* Drink Lots of Water

Depending on your general physical condition and level of activity simply drink plenty of water or a sports drink. Choose one without large amounts of sugar. If the weather is hot, drink more fluids. If you plan to dive longer, drink more. When you drink water over a long period of time, you give your body plenty of time to absorb the fluid without overwhelming the kidneys.

* Avoid Caffeine and Alcohol

Just as important is what to avoid. Don’t consume black tea, coffee or other caffeinated drinks like mountain dew and colas for several hours before or after a dive. Never drink alcoholic beverages for many hours before or after a dive. Yes, it many not be what you want to do. Yet, being alive and healthy is worth it.

Warning Signs

Headaches are often caused by insufficient fluids in the blood vessels in the head and neck. Be aware of how your body feels. One way you can test your fluid level is by examining your urine. It should be light colored to clear before a dive unless you take lots of vitamin B or C. After the dive, drink lots of water slowly.

Be Prepared

Common sense helps every diver. Keep hydrated for scuba diving. You may want to keep water on the boat so you can drink directly before or after your dive. Having a bottle filled with water such as: Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Water Bottles can help make it easier. Alternately, simply packing a sports drink every time works too.

Knowing what is recommended and following it helps you have many enjoyable dives.

Technorati Tags: dehydration, Keep hydrated for scuba diving

* Safety First in a Quality Scuba Diving Course

Potential scuba divers often have visions of entering exotic locales and discovering hidden shipwrecks well below the water’s surface. While these adventures do await future divers, the key component to discovering and enjoying them is to first take a basic level scuba diving course. A scuba diving course with a certified instructor will ensure that you are able to manipulate the gear, adapt to the environment and react to unexpected stimuli and events with minimal stress. These factors combine to make safety the number one skill you will gain from your scuba diving course.

* What to Look for in A Scuba Diving Course

Scuba diving courses run the gamut from the junior level skin diver to the master and instructor levels scuba diving course. You will want to seek out a scuba diving course that is at your appropriate level. Any facility offering a scuba diving course should have a number of levels from which to choose.

There are some basics that should be covered in any scuba diving course. Initially a student will learn snorkeling and holding-the-breath diving. Uses of dive equipment, safety measures, and actual time in the water are all necessary components of a scuba diving course. While most students are anxious to get straight into the water, a good instructor will ensure that safety measures and equipment use has already been reviewed before taking this exciting step.

Learn the science behind diving as well as careful and safe diving practices and additional information about the environment from a helpful scuba diving course. Since there are many water skills, safety and comfort techniques that all need to be covered the course may be completed with a minimum of five open water dives.

* Advanced Scuba Diving Course

The advanced scuba diving course can help a diver achieve NAUI (or PADI) certification and gain more knowledge about diving in specific locales. Adapting to different water temperatures, greater depths and orientation will all be components of an advanced scuba diving course. Part of the coursework in the advanced scuba diving course will include six open water dives. These scuba diving course dives will focus on low and nighttime visibility, navigation and the specifics of deep diving (130 feet).

Once this level has been successfully completed, a diver may advance to the master scuba diving course. Many lifetime divers aspire to this certification level to continue and deepen their knowledge. These are the people who eventually aspire to the Instructor level and end up teaching their own scuba diving course.

Technorati Tags: scuba diving course, Scuba diving courses

Learning scuba diving instructions from a certified instructor can ensure that your diving experience is fun, adventurous and safe. Unlike other sports, a failure to obtain and understand proper scuba diving instructions can result in severe medical complications and even death.

* Scuba Diving Instructions for Avoiding Problems

One serious illness you will want to avoid is often referred to as “the bends.” This is actually decompression sickness that can occur when nitrogen from the water dissolves through the skin and gets into the bloodstream of the diver. This occurs after the diver has remained under at very deep depths for a long period of time. Proper scuba diving instructions will tell you to rise slowly to the surface to prevent this from occurring.

One important lesson worth learning in a scuba diving instruction is that of balancing the pressure in the ears as one makes the dive. If the pressure is not balance correctly permanent damage may occur to the eardrum. Reading the gauges should be included in scuba diving instructions since drowning may occur if incorrect readings are made. The proper scuba diving instructions should help play a key role in avoiding harmful and even fatal consequences and for their own safety, the scuba divers should adhere to these scuba diving instructions at all times.

Learning to dive is not at all difficult and is much easier than imagined, especially if one is accustomed to the water. Scuba diving instructions can be taught through pool diving and open water diving. One should expect that scuba diving instructions will be imparted by experienced and qualified instructors who should teach assembling the equipment as well as how to avoid taking risks and teach about what are the safety procedures needed. Some basic skills such as controlling buoyancy so that the student learns how not to yoyo in the water and can swim consistently, without alternatively sinking and floating.

* Where to Begin Your Scuba Diving Instructions

Beginners may choose an open dive course that will be taught without decompression techniques. This certification will allow the graduate to swim in open water with another qualified diver. If your diving experience is a one-time deal, you may obtain your scuba diving instruction through a resort course. More serious students will want to find a certified instructor and dive school to ensure that their scuba diving instruction covers all the bases to protect them from harm.

Technorati Tags: scuba diving instructions, balancing the pressure in the ears

Scuba diving certification is a big accomplishment. Unlike learning to play tennis or golf, the sport of scuba diving has a steep learning curve and can involve some serious risks. More than just putting on a wetsuit and jumping into pristine tropical waters, scuba divers must have vast knowledge and experience. That is why scuba diving certification is highly recommended for anyone participating in the sport.

* Where to Get Scuba Diving Certification

Scuba diving certification can be obtained through either dive schools or individuals certified to teach the basic skills. Check the local yellow pages or the Internet to find a scuba diving school near you. A good school will provide you with proper equipment, training and diving hours.

Local gyms or indoor pool facilities may allow instructors to teach scuba diving certification on their premises. They make use of the indoor pools to show you what it’s like wearing your equipment and using it underwater. Of course, if you live near water, the scuba diving places will likely take you straight there but if you don’t, indoor pools are probably where you’re going to get the most of your training for your scuba diving certification.

If you desire to take your class locally — and then get certified in warm water on a vacation, be certain to call first and make sure the type of certification (PADI vs NAUI) match. It is extremely disappointing when you find you can not get certified when you expect to!

One favorite place for Scuba Certification is in warm waters with PADI courses. However, there are many places to choose from — most of which are excellent!

* What You Will Learn in Scuba Diving Certification Class

Wearing the necessary diving equipment takes some getting used to. An oxygen tank is required and you will need to be comfortable wearing and moving around in it. Scuba diving certification requires that you know how to use this bulky equipment and make use of it while underwater. You will need to use the appropriate valves and knobs to adjust your air flow, and know how to use your breathing to monitor air pressure. Scuba diving certification will ensure that you know how to adjust your body to the pressure changes involved in deep diving. If you’re not careful and informed you can create air bubbles in your blood that can prove fatal. A good diving instructor will teach you how to prevent this, and how to truly enjoy your scuba diving experience.

Scuba diving certification will provide you with the skills, experience and knowledge to allow you to thoroughly enjoy your underwater adventure. Exploring the unknown world beneath the sea is an exhilarating and calming experience once you have the confidence to do so safely. By obtaining your scuba diving certification you will introduce your self to a beautiful underwater locale, just waiting to be discovered.

Technorati Tags: Scuba diving certification

The sport of scuba diving has enjoyed increased popularity in recent years due to the availability of equipment and the desire to experience the amazing marine world. If you are thinking about taking up diving you will need to have scuba diving training before you begin. Unlike other hobbies, knowing the ins and outs of the gear involved in diving will be critical to your survival. Certified scuba diving training will offer you the knowledge and experience you need to safely enjoy this thrilling sport.

An Open Water Diver Course would be a good starting point for your scuba diving training. You will receive both classroom instruction and water time in pursuit of certification. These will cover regulating and monitoring dive equipment and reacting to environmental changes. Certification will allow you to dive without accompaniment, although you will still need to be mindful of your abilities and needs.

* Basic Requirements Of a Scuba Diving Training Course

When taking a scuba diving training course for open water dives, the minimum requirement is five dives and these may all be scuba dives or even one skin dive plus four scuba dives. Only two scuba dives may be performed on any single day. There are other regulations for scuba diving training. All open water dives should be performed during daylight hours. The maximum depth of the open water dives should not exceed sixty feet while undergoing scuba diving training.

You will want to make sure that these minimum requirements are covered during your scuba diving training. The requirements vary from course to course and teaching center to teaching center but usually the minimum age should not be less than 15 years for the scuba diving certification. Junior certification is available for ages 10-14. There is usually no diver certification required and persons who have prior skills obtained from other courses may get awarded extra credits for such skills and knowledge acquired.

* The Advanced Scuba Diving Training Course

When you are ready to move beyond the basics you can work towards additional certification in an advanced scuba diving training course. Typically taught in an open water setting, the advanced classes offer more in-depth information as well as a diversity of dive experiences. There are a number of more advanced scuba diving training courses that can prepare you for more specific site dives like cave and wreck diving. This step is necessary for any diver wishing to obtain NAUI or PADI certification.

Technorati Tags: scuba diving, scuba diving training course

Scuba diving is a wonderful sport. However, it is also inherently risky. Novice scuba divers learn how to dive safely when they are getting certified. That’s the best way to enjoy scuba diving, now and in the future. Here are some scuba diving safety tips.

Take Scuba Diving Seriously

This tip should be unneeded, yet, it’s the most important and is necessary to say it: Never screw around during a dive. No practical jokes, no fights – even playful ones, no hide and seek… you can make up the list yourself. Diving is perfectly safe – if you dive responsibly. If you won’t, the risk of serious injury or death is real and high – as many friends and relatives of dead divers can attest.

Have a Medical Examination Before Diving

Before taking a scuba diving course, or trying your first learning dive, you need to have a medical exam. Diving can be safely and enjoyably experienced by anyone from the very young to the elderly. But diving requires substantial fitness. You have to be in good shape and have moderate or better leg and shoulder muscles.

Don’t Dive When You Are Sick

As important as what you have is what you must not have. Don’t dive if you have a head cold, bad allergy or any other kind of medical condition that affects breathing or easy passage of air throughout the lungs, throat, nasal cavities, etc.

If you’re on medication, check with your physician about scuba diving. Any medication that impairs your judgment should keep you out of the water.

Know Your Equipment

Learn to use the equipment, even blindfolded. Visual conditions during a dive can vary from awesome clarity to gray fog from stirred up sediment, kelp and the many other substances common to dive areas to pitch black.

Don’t Hold Your Breath

The scuba regulator is designed to deliver air from the tank at the ambient pressure of the water – the pressure of the surroundings. That’s essential for keeping the lungs functioning properly as you dive. Let it do the job by never holding your breath as you ascend or descend.

Holding your breath during a dive can result in serious injury to the lungs, since you’re blocking the ability to deliver gas at the proper pressure. The air in your lungs will expand or contract – or fail to – causing unsafe pressure on the rib cage and your lungs. It can also result in blackouts, even in shallow water.

If the regulator mouthpiece isn’t in your mouth, continue to exhale slowly a steady stream of bubbles as you rise. Of course, you can only keep that up for a short distance – one of the many reasons you should keep your mouthpiece in except as a temporary emergency to share oxygen with a buddy.

Dive With A Dive Buddy

Diving with a buddy is much safer. Work out in advance a series of signals, both visible and tactile, that will allow you to communicate essential information underwater and in murky conditions. Never let your buddy out of sight or easy reach.

Keep Your Cool

Try to always stay calm. There are many wondrous sights underwater, but some things can spook the novice diver. Moray eels, sharks, sudden structure collapses, sediment stir-ups… the list is long.

Keeping your head is hardest when things are most risky. But that’s the most important time. There is less latitude under the surface for mistakes. Keeping your wits about you can keep a minor risk from escalating into a major danger.

Use Your Common Sense

Following good diving practice, taught in a certification course, and using common sense, can make your dive safe. That gives you the freedom to enjoy the astounding parts of our world that happen to be under the sea.

Technorati Tags: how to dive safely, scuba diving safety tips

Often before one begins scuba diving they start by snorkleing. As scuba diving requires equipment and training, snorkeling is a good way to start. It allows you to ease into the sport slowly. And occasionally, even skilled scuba divers simply want to swim and explore without the extra equipment, preparation and precautions that are required with scuba diving. Snorkeling is a great option.

Unless you have already practiced in a swimming pool, you need to know the basics of snorkeling. Then, you can fully enjoy snorkeling and stay safe.

Preparing Snorkel Gear

First, check your Snorkel. Look at both ends for any blockage or even just loose material stuck in the tube. Dry breathe in air through the snorkel to ensure it’s working properly. If you’ve used it before, you also want to make sure it’s been properly cleaned. Though not common, mold and other muck can grow on a snorkeling tube. When you breath that in you’re increasing your odds of infection.

You’ll probably have a Mask as well, so prepare it too. Make sure it’s clean and fits well. Then prepare the faceplate with a commercial spray that will keep it clear. Or, you can use some raw potatoes. Rub a little of the starch onto the glass and rub it around.

Eventually, you will want Fins so you can swim faster. Read our article on Choose Your Scuba Fins Wisely: How to Choose A Great Scuba Fin, if you are considering buying scuba fins for diving and snorkeling.

The Basics of Snorkeling

Stand in an area of the water where you can stand up and breathe air. Then slowly bend your knees and take a deep breath slowly through your snorkel just before your nose goes under. Lower your face into the water until your head is just submerged. Make sure you can breathe normally through the mouth and out the nose. Breathe in again, then exhale forcefully through the mouthpiece. This should ensure that your tube is clear.

Now become horizontal in the water and keep your head slightly back, eyes forward. Your snorkel tube is designed to prevent water from splashing into the top, but some small amount may make its way in. Blow it out with a good blast of air, then breathe in slowly, keeping the tube as vertical as possible.

Swim slowly, keeping your head near the surface until you get the hang of it. Then you can relax and look at the scenery around and below you. Try to direct your eyes down, but keep the tube upright as you move forward.

If you find yourself starting to panic, simply raise your head above water, remove the mouthpiece and breathe normally. Then try again. Sometimes, it will take a few practice swims before you completely comfortable snorkeling. Once you do, you’ll be free to enjoy feeding fish and seeing the sea life below the water with ease.

Explore and have fun!

Technorati Tags: snorkeling, basics of snorkeling

As sports and hobbies go, scuba diving and snorkeling are two of the most relaxing and invigorating. Both scuba diving and snorkeling are popular vacation activities because they add to the feeling of escapism that most people are seeking in their holidays. Also, the interaction with nature that these sports require can be soothing to anyone looking for a break from the hectic pace of their life. Of course, these sports have the added benefits of occurring in some of the most pristine natural springs, lakes, and rivers, and tropical waters in the world. While both snorkeling and scuba diving can be fun and relaxing, there are some other factors to consider.

* Safety First

Snorkeling has a pretty small learning curve, so even the youngest family member may participate. Just remember, even in snorkeling, basic swimming skills are a must. Panic can ensure and result in tragic accidents if these elemental skills are not in place.

Scuba divers and snorkelers should always be aware of others in the area. Divers in a lake should use a buoy floating with the “diver down” sign, indicating to boaters that someone is underwater in that spot. Snorkelers should also indicate their presence with floats or markers. Make sure not to accidentally leave the area you have secured.

Finally, always go scuba diving and snorkeling with in pairs. If anything happens, one of you should be able to assist the other or go for help.

* What Divers Need to Know

Diving requires more stamina, knowledge and experience than snorkeling. Those with heart conditions or other serious health limitations should not dive. Everyone should train with a certified instructor before attempting to scuba dive into the depths. Since the extreme changes in pressure can have severe effects on the body, well-trained divers know how to descend and ascend very slowly and to breathe correctly. This prevents gases from building up in the blood stream and causing serious injury.

* Research and Use Common Sense

Despite the heroics seen TV you should approach scuba diving and snorkeling with caution. Any time you enter unknown waters there is potential for danger

Before you go in the water somewhere, find out as much as you can about the site. Scuba diving and snorkeling are even quite complimentary. If you and your buddies want to try a new dive site, visit it with snorkels first. Once you have planned a dive, stick to the plan. And avoid underwater caves and water that is too cold.

* You Should Know

The repercussions of sudden changes in air pressure can be deadly. So if you need to fly, make sure you wait until 24 hours after your most recent dive. Plan your vacation and return trip accordingly. Remember, scuba diving and snorkeling are a lot of fun when you prevent accidents and injuries by planning ahead, checking scuba equipment before diving, avoiding risks, and getting proper training.

Technorati Tags: scuba diving and snorkeling

If you are ready for relaxation, adventure and something new, a scuba diving class might be just the thing. While not a sport for everyone, scuba diving is certainly exciting. Before signing up for scuba diving classes there are some factors to consider. Any one enrolling in scuba diving classes needs to be in good physical shape. This is a sport that requires endurance and creates stress on the body.

Also, there is necessary equipment required to participate in a scuba diving class. Most classes will provide them for a fee, but you will want to be aware of this before signing up for your scuba diving classes.

* What to Look for in Scuba Diving Classes

Scuba diving is a very popular activity so there should be scuba diving classes near you. Scuba diving classes are often offered in local pools, so you don’t necessarily have to live near the ocean to participate. This is a great way to get used to the feel of the bulky equipment and learn how to use the tools involve.

Many scuba diving classes make use of indoor pools to show students what to do with all that equipment once they’re underwater. The instructors work with local fitness clubs or indoor pool facilities so that they may use their pools whenever their members aren’t.

Since an indoor pool is a controlled environment, it can offer many benefits for your scuba diving class.

Of course, there is nothing like the real thing. So if you live near the water your scuba diving classes may very well be held at your local beach or pier. You will still receive some initial classroom instruction before donning your wetsuit and diving in. A good scuba diving class will combine both practical knowledge and lots of real time in the water. Once you have the experience and training you need, your scuba diving classes will then be held underwater. There’s no instruction like experience, after all.

* Where to Find a Scuba Diving Classes

My favorite way to get certified is diving in warm water at a resort, it gives a beginner the experience of warm water diving, great colorful fish, and usually a very experienced diving crew. However, it is often best to do the prepatory work at home at your local dive shop. Take a class and perhaps wait on the open water dive — that is what I did.

To start locally, check both the phone book and the Internet to look for scuba diving classes. Also, ask at your local dive shop to get the name of a certified instructor. People who dive already are great and enthusiastic resources for those just getting involve in the sport.

Once you have located some scuba diving classes and found one that is right for you, just dive right into it. Your scuba diving classes have the potential to introduce you to a whole new world of beauty and excitement, just below sea level.

Technorati Tags: scuba diving class