Scuba is an activity that involves swimming underwater with a tank filled with compressed air (the word comes from the abbreviation of ‘Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus’). It is often a hobby that is enjoyed all over the world, but it is also used in professional diving activities like offshore construction and military diving operations.

Divers need a special set of equipment in order to safely explore underwater, including a dive mask, snorkel and fins for moving through the water, a wetsuit or drysuit to keep the diver warm in colder waters, and a tank of air that is supplied by a regulator. Some divers own their own equipment while others rent it from a scuba shop. Divers also need a logbook to record their dives, including depth and bottom time, and a scuba certification card to prove their level of skill and safety. A dive master or instructor plays a critical role in diving education and safety for recreational and certified divers.

Diving is a great way to see marine life up close in their natural habitat, and it can be very relaxing and therapeutic. It is also a great aerobic exercise, improving breathing techniques and helping those with asthma. It is a fantastic way to forget about work and family stresses, leaving behind the noise of the surface world and entering a calm, peaceful underwater world.

Whether you are exploring tropical coral reefs in Australia, Egypt or the Caribbean Sea, discovering the amazing Silfra Rift in Iceland or diving a sunken ship wreck in Indonesia, every dive is different and brings its own unique experience. It is no wonder that many scuba enthusiasts consider it a meditative and almost spiritual experience, leaving their daily concerns behind for an hour or two beneath the waves.