There are few activities more exhilarating than scuba diving. It allows you to explore fascinating marine life up close while escaping from the everyday grind. It’s the perfect way to see the world in all its glory, unencumbered by text messages, bills and to-do lists.

In the 1940s, Jacques Cousteau (the man who introduced the underwater world to the masses in his films) and Emile Gagnan designed the first successful open-circuit scuba system. This allowed divers to spend more time underwater by reducing the need for surface air supply and extending their dives.

Scuba diving requires specific training and knowledge. To become a scuba diver you must first complete an entry level course that teaches you the theoretical and practical skills to safely dive. After completing your entry level training, you can then move on to advanced training and certifications to explore deeper, more challenging dive sites.

The most common scuba emergency is running out of breathing gas, commonly known as an out-of-air incident. This can be a life-threatening situation, as the body cannot survive without access to oxygen. Fortunately, there are ways to manage this situation, including using an alternative breathing gas source and making an emergency ascent.

The best advice for all divers is to dive within their limits. This means knowing and respecting the limits of your equipment, your physical abilities and the conditions you will be in. A good scuba instructor will always be willing to teach, but will never force a diver to do more than their training and experience allow.