The underwater world has much to offer, including a visual feast of vibrant coral reefs and marine life, or the sense of tranquility that comes with weightlessness under the sea. For many, scuba is also about adventure: being carried along by ocean currents in drift diving, exploring historical shipwrecks or penetrating underwater caves. Divers develop a passion for marine life, and witnessing firsthand the impact of pollution on fragile ecosystems often inspires them to support conservation efforts.

The first step to becoming a scuba diver is getting certified in basic skills through PADI’s Open Water Diver course. This is usually completed in a pool or calm beach area and involves mastering 24 key skills for diving safely, such as equipment set-up, mask clearing, buoyancy control and safety procedures.

There are a wide range of accessories and gear available to make your dives more comfortable and safe, such as dive computers, dive lights, air hoses, and wetsuits. Your local dive shop will help you choose the best gear for your needs and budget.

The modern scuba system has a low-pressure inflator hose (which runs from the tank to the buoyancy control device) and a high-pressure hose that connects to the diver’s demand regulator, which has an oxygen sensor that monitors dive depth and allows the diver to take in extra air during deep dives. It also has an alternate air source (also known as an octopus) that is carried with the diver, and in case of a buddy’s emergency it provides breathing gas so they can make a safe ascent to the surface.