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It is human nature to explore the world and discover what it is all about. People travel to far-off countries to experience different cultures and have a taste of the amazing diversity that life can offer here on earth. But since over seventy percent of the earth's surface is enveloped with water, people feel the need to traverse great depths of the underwater world.

Since the early 1700's, there was already air-assisted underwater exploration. But it was only in 1930's that remarkable advances regarding the development of compressed air tanks brought about the invention of the Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus, otherwise known as, "SCUBA." This first system is not yet that efficient. And so, Jacques-Yves Cousteau and Emile Gagnan, considered as diving pioneers, developed a device called Aqua Lung in the late 1940s. This device is a tank of compressed gas, which, through the regulator, supplies air to the diver. The main purpose of the regulator is to adjust the flow and pressure of the highly compressed gas to a level that is comfortable for breathing. During this time, homemade equipment was frequently used and diving comes with more danger than it is now. The two pioneers established recreational diving as a 'sport' as they traveled from France to England, and two decades after, scuba diving became well-known and fully-recognized. It was during the 1960's that the neoprene wetsuit was developed, drawing diving enthusiasts all the more into the cool underwater world. In 1960 and 1967, two major diving certification agencies were formed. These are: NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors) and PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors), respectively. These agencies pioneered in teaching and training enthusiasts to ensure safe scuba diving. After a few decades later, scuba diving equipment became more advanced, with the introduction of bouyancy compensation vests, and submersible pressure gauges. Nowadays, even more developed scuba diving equipment is made available to everyone - from dive knives, compass, fins, and depth gauge.

Scuba diving, just like any other sport or hobby, requires lessons if you want to have the appropriate skills. However, in scuba diving, where greater risks are involved, it is imperative that you take a basic scuba diving course and get certified first. Taking scuba diving lessons will provide you with all the knowledge you need to know about scuba diving - from the proper skills, technique, use of equipment, safety guidelines, and even the physics (laws and principles) behind underwater exploration. Taking scuba diving lessons does not necessarily mean that you have to be near the ocean. There are lessons taught in indoor pools, which will give you the opportunity to master your diving techniques in a controlled environment. However, before you are trained in the pool, you will attend classroom sessions. The instructor will teach you the basics of scuba diving, and when the instructor already feels comfortable that you have fully understood everything, you will be trained in the pool. It is expected that you will be able to apply whatever you've learned in the classroom. After you undergo the confined training, you will then practice your skills out in the open water. When you have finally completed the scuba diving lessons and you already feel confident that you've mastered your diving skills, you will be given an open water certification card. With your open water certificate, you can dive and rent equipment wherever and whenever you choose to do so. Here is a list of major agencies where you can get your certification.

• Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI)
• National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI)
• Scuba Schools International (SSI)

Once you are already certified, there are many kinds of diving that you can choose to participate in. Each kind of dive is unique on its own, and one may require more specialized training than the other. That means that other dives (cave, wreck, rescue, drift) will require an Advaced Open Water Course. Here are the types of diving:

• Open Water Diving - most common; you have to be able to do this before you get your certification (hence, the open water certification card). This involves diving in an ocean, sea, or lake.
• Wreck Diving - visiting a sunken boat, ship, automobile, or airplane.
• Cave Diving - diving through enclosed spaces in caves following a safety line.
• Drift Diving - divers get into the water and along with the water current.
• Rescue Diving - is especially intended for dive masters who respond to underwater emergencies.

As a certified scuba diver, you will need to have an equipment of your own. Although you can rent some of the more expensive equipment, you should have the basic ones such as mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuit, scuba boots, and scuba weights or belts. If you find scuba diving as a hobby and you have money to spend, you can also purchase other 'fancy' gears such as buoyancy control device (BCD), scuba regulator, rebreather, and a depth gauge. Another important gear is the tank. However, it is not practical that you purchase a tank since it is always available for rent in dive shops. Once you have acquired your own scuba diving gear, you should take very good care of them by washing them properly every time you dive. Your equipment is the one responsible for you to stay and survive long underwater, so you have to make sure that they are in good working condition. Also, you should know how your equipment operates so that you know what to do in case something bad happens.

Although scuba diving is a fun, exciting, and thrilling sport, it is not free from risks. Being in a completely different environment underwater could be harsh and hazardous, most especially if one is not adequately trained and physically fit. Some of the health risks involve drowning, decompression sickness or 'bends,' nitrogen intoxication or nitrogen narcosis, and hypothermia. These injuries can be avoided as long as you have proper training and equipment, adhere to the safety guidelines, and do not go beyond your limitations as a diver.

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