Scuba is a fun, popular activity that can take you to exciting places, see new species of marine life and escape the everyday stresses of life. But, you should be aware of the risks involved and always prioritise your safety above all else.

A scuba diver is a person who enters underwater by means of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCUBA), allowing him to stay longer underwater than surface-supplied divers. The equipment includes a mask, snorkel and breathing tube connected to a tank of compressed air, enabling the diver to remain underwater for extended periods of time. SCUBA diving is typically conducted through a recognized scuba training agency, such as PADI or SSI, and a scuba dive guide or instructor.

During a dive, the air supply is regulated by the regulator. It consists of two parts: the mouthpiece and the valve, with the mouthpiece connecting to the regulator through a low-pressure inflator hose. The valve is operated with a push button or lever, allowing the diver to add and remove air from his BCD, which provides buoyancy control.

When a scuba diver ascends to the surface, nitrogen gas bubbles liberate from the bloodstream and can damage tissues and block blood vessels, resulting in decompression sickness, or the bends. This is a medical emergency and can result in dysfunction of the brain, lungs and spinal cord.

Divers should avoid descending if they are recovering from a cold, flu or any respiratory problems, such as asthma or bronchitis. Also, they should not dive if they have serious pulmonary disease, such as cysts or tumors, as well as obstructions from inflammation or mucus and should not fly shortly after a scuba dive, since reduced cabin pressure in unpressurized aircraft may worsen symptoms of pulmonary overpressure injuries due to air trapping.