A wondrous realm awaits anyone willing to venture beneath the waves. From shipwrecks to artificial reefs, caves and chasms, scuba offers an unforgettable underwater experience for those that have the proper training and safety precautions.

Diving has been around for thousands of years. Ancient manuscripts contain depictions of early divers and Greek literature refers to sponge divers. Herodotus, in 500 B.C., tells the story of Scyllis, a Greek sailor who used a hollow plant stem to breathe as he cut mooring lines off Persian ships.

Modern scuba diving is conducted with compressed air tanks, a mask, snorkel, fins, buoyancy compensator device, regulator, and depending on the temperature an exposure suit. Recreational divers must complete a certification course and have a PADI (Peterson Air Divers International) license.

There are several types of scuba, including rescue diving, wreck diving, cave diving and shore diving. Each requires different skills and techniques, but a common theme is a buddy system. It is important to dive with a buddy when exploring the depths of the ocean because accidents can happen. Having someone with you to monitor your health, safety and general well-being is critical. A commonly known hand signal is the thumb and index finger making a circle—it means “Everything’s OK.” Your buddy can also help you in the event that you are having problems under water, such as running out of oxygen or feeling narcotic effects from the nitrogen in your body.