Scuba is an exciting and fascinating sport that involves exploring the underwater world, but it does have some risks. These can be minimized by following proper safety procedures, using reliable equipment and receiving training from a certified instructor. With these precautions, scuba diving is safer than many other popular activities such as fishing, golfing, snowboarding and bowling.

A scuba diver wears an air tank that holds compressed oxygen to breathe while underwater. The tank is attached to a harness or backplate and a vest-like garment called a buoyancy control device, or BC, that helps them ascend and descend while underwater. A mouthpiece connects to the air hose, and a regulator controls the amount of gas flowing into the cylinder. In addition to an air tank, a scuba set may include a mask and fins for moving through the water.

Some scuba divers own their equipment, while others rent it from dive shops. There are even scuba rentals that combine all the required gear into one package. Before a dive, scuba divers review the conditions at their planned dive site and examine the gear to ensure that everything is in good working order. They also perform buddy checks and listen to a dive briefing that provides important information about the dive.

There are different scuba certification agencies, such as PADI and SSI. Both offer a range of courses and training materials. However, there are some differences between the programs, including the types of skills taught. For example, PADI’s program emphasizes the use of hand signals to communicate underwater and basic dive planning.