There’s a lot to see under the sea, from vibrant coral reefs to playful dolphins and schools of fish. There’s also a sense of tranquility and weightlessness that can be hard to find on land. And for some, there’s even a thrill in interacting with fascinating creatures in their natural habitat.

scuba is an activity that provides opportunities to explore the underwater world with a degree of independence and freedom not available to surface-based divers. It’s an activity that can be enjoyable for anyone with the proper training and safety precautions in place. In fact, you’re more likely to get injured bowling, playing golf or skiing than you are diving.

To become a certified scuba diver, you’ll complete an initial training course in which you’ll learn to use basic scuba equipment and the skills necessary for simple dives. The course will take you through the planning, techniques, procedures and safety drills for a number of different dives, including entering and exiting the water, assembling the scuba gear, clearing and replacing a dislodged mask, buoyancy control using weight systems both on the surface and underwater, and navigation.

There are two main scuba certification agencies, PADI and SSI, both of which offer excellent training courses. However, their curriculums are slightly different and both have their own strengths and weaknesses. Generally speaking, PADI is more flexible and allows students to progress at their own pace, while SSI is a bit more structured with a set curriculum.