Why scuba diving in Florida is always the best

Scuba diving is a popular outdoor hobby and every scuba diver who has a passion for diving will always be on the lookout for scuba diving areas anywhere in the world.

No less than seventy percent of the earth is made up of water so one can imagine the vast amount of water areas where scuba diving enthusiasts can go and enjoy diving.

A scuba diving hobby is especially suited for those who have the time and perhaps the extra money to go around the world looking for the best scuba diving spots.

There are a lot of virgin waters all over the world that are good areas for scuba diving. Some of these areas have never been explored and discovered while some have remained a favorite scuba diving destination for most people all over the world.

One area that has become so popular among scuba divers because of its serenity and bountiful underwater resources is the Florida Keys in North America. Scuba divers wouldn’t want to miss an opportunity to dive in the Florida Keys which consists of islands along Miami.

A diver who wants to try scuba diving in the Florida Keys can easily access the area from Miami. Hop in and enjoy a 45-minute ride and the diver is on his way to a great scuba diving trip in the Florida Keys. If he is unfamiliar with the area, he should stop by Key Largo and choose from a variety of operators doing the scuba route.

Florida Keys is a great area for scuba diving because there are numerous sites to choose from, both for the beginner to the advanced scuba divers. Beginners can go to Molasses Reef and feast their eyes on the healthiest coral reefs and schools of fishes in the area. Those who wish to do scuba diving along wreck sites can visit Benwood while the more advanced divers can go to the deeper diving sites in the area.

Advanced scuba divers should take note of the Spiegel grove and Duane, ships that were sunk for the enjoyment of scuba divers. Not only that. Scuba divers who want to get more training should visit Florida as it offers a variety of diving lessons for the hobbyists and the serious divers.

Diving is perhaps one of the best hobbies because a person gets to commune with underwater creatures at a closer range. The underwater scenes will always be heavenly especially for those who love the marine world. And all of these are present in Florida.

Why get a scuba diving first aid kit?

Some people find it exciting to feel their heart beat and their adrenaline rush as they step on the gas pedal with a speed of 150 miles per hour. This goes for those who love racing. But there are people who prefer to enjoy the silence of the underwater and being one with nature and its swimming inhabitants through scuba diving.

Scuba diving is becoming popular among all age groups who want to experience the serenity of the waters. However, scuba diving isn’t for everyone because aside from the love of any water surface, a scuba diver must also undergo scuba diving lessons and pass the tests as well.

The stringent requirements for scuba diving has been established because of the risks it involves. Scuba diving makes use of a breathing gear and other equipment to keep the diver safe while exploring the underwater depths. It is the equipment that makes it possible for a diver to stay safe underwater for a certain period of time because he doesn’t rely on other equipment other than those he is carrying with him.

Divers are attired much like the fishes underwater, with fins on their feet and wearing scuba diving approved clothing wear to keep them conspicuous and agile underwater. Some divers explore underwater through the use of a scooter or a diver propulsion vehicle,

The word scuba actually stands for self contained underwater breathing apparatus, thus suggesting the equipment to be used by every scuba diver. A scuba diver is usually reliant on a gas tank from which he breathes in and breathes out while underwater.

Safety is the number one concern of every scuba diver because while they are underwater, they are alone and can’t rely on anybody else to keep them safe. Thus, they have to make sure that aside from the required scuba equipment, they should also carry with them a scuba diving first aid kit.

First aid kits are universal but a scuba diver should keep the contents of his first aid kit compatible with possible accidents and injuries that can be encountered underwater. Thus, the contents of a scuba divers first aid kit should be carefully planned and thought of to make sure it responds to the needs of the diver.

Like most first aid kits, a scuba divers first aid kit should contain both cold packs to minimize pain from any injury as well as hot packs in case the diver gets a sting from any marine being.

Imagine every possible injury that can be experienced while scuba diving and make sure to equip the kit with the remedies for such injuries.

Looking for Scuba Diving E-Groups?

What happens in scuba diving e-groups
Other than exchanging information and tips, the e-groups also alert members of news and events related to their chosen sport. They can also exchange reviews and opinions regarding diving instructions and schools. Some e-groups also organize many diving trips online, some of which are open only to members.

Another advantage of joining a scuba diving e-group is that members periodically announce sales of secondhand scuba gear and equipment. If you’re looking to either sell or buy, e-groups provide a highly targeted market. If the e-group is sponsored by a bigger organization, members may even receive freebies and discounts ranging from gift certificates to scuba gear to diving vacations.

Some scuba diving clubs host message boards through their websites, often accessible only to members. It’s a good idea to join these sites if you want to meet a few diver friends, exchange stories and find out about scuba diving activities in other locations.

If you have questions about diving instruction and certification, you can also ask members of your e-group for recommendations. You will have the confidence of knowing that your query will be answered by people who have actual experience in scuba diving.

E-groups can also provide you with firsthand information about undiscovered dive sites from sources around the world. You could send a message to a diver in the Maldives, Malta or Fiji and ask about diving conditions and dive spot recommendations – things you normally won’t have easy access to. Meeting people and winning new friends isn’t uncommon in scuba diving e-groups.

Finding a diving buddy is also an invaluable service from e-groups. Www.scubadiving.com is a website that offers a ‘buddy finder’ message board, along with a ‘new diver’ board for beginners. Another website worth checking out is www.scubaboard.com, which has over 500 dive forums. This site is also popular enough to allow you to communicate with over 65,000 divers. Opening an account is free and you’ll have access to diving posts and personal photos from members from around the globe.

Another source for scuba diving e-groups is the Yahoo! Groups. It has diving e-groups from 17 countries including Malta, Australia, Turkey, Portugal, the Philippines and Turkey, which currently has the most number of e-groups.

Some of the e-groups from the U.S. are the Wet Gazette, the Dolphin Divers and Easy Diver (www.easy-diver.com). The Wet Gazette used to be an invitation-only diving e-group but has since opened its membership and changed its format to an E-zine group. The Dolphin Divers is a smaller group of weekend divers who post diving trip announcements online and provide information on training.

Scuba Diving in Cyprus

Cyprus is a natural choice for scuba divers. An island of legendary beauty surrounded by warm waters, Cyprus enjoys year-round warmth that’s ideal for vacations and diving trips. Cyprus is also blessed with calm, crystal clear waters where depth visibility can reach 30 meters.

Many diving centers in Cyprus have PADI-certified instructors, so you can be sure you’re in good hands. While Greek is the official language, most of the population speaks English. Cyprus is easily accessible by plane via more than 30 airlines from most European countries.

Some of the most popular diving spots in Cyprus are located in the southeast part of the island, with 10-40 meters reefs and caves which is ideal either for neophytes or experienced scuba divers. Another popular place is in Latchi on the west coast. One of the most popular sites can also be found in the Akamas Peninsula.

The most famous dive site in Cyprus is the Zenobia wreck. The wreck is a Swedish ferry boat which sank in 1979 and can be found at a depth of about 18 meters. The Zenobia wreck is considered one of the top ten wreck dives in the world.

Other dive sites worth checking are the Roman Wall and the Lighthouse wreck. Centers who offer open water dives include the Amphorae Caves, the Vera K wreck and the Achilleas wreck in their itineraries. Other sites worth checking are those which are located in the beautiful Akamas Peninsula.

One of the best reasons to scuba dive in Cyprus is the diversity of its marine life. Fan worms, moray eels, groupers, red mullets, damsel fish, soldier fish are just a few of the marine life that could be encountered on a typical dive. Since Cyprus has a long history, it is also not uncommon to chance upon ancient amphorae and stone anchors that date back to 500 or 400 B.C.

Get in touch with some of the diving centers in Cyprus if you’re going scuba diving. Here’s a partial list to help you with your choice:

Scuba Diving and Diver Training Company (www.dive-in.com.cy) has five diving centers in Larnaca, Paphos and Limasol. This 20-year old diving and training center prefers smaller groups for more personalized attention.

Cyprus Scuba Diving & Water Sports (www.cyprusscubadiving.com) is located in Latchi and offers snorkeling, surfing, waterskiing and jetskiing aside from scuba diving.

Dive Point Diving Centre (www.divepointcyprus.co.uk) is a family-run diving center located in Kato Paphos.

Cydive (www.cydive.com) was established in Paphos in the 80s and is the first center in Cyprus to receive a 5-Star PADI IDC accreditation. Their itinerary includes more than 50 dive sites in one year and sometimes, 24 sites in one month.

Put More Adventure in Your Scuba Diving and Join Contests

Scuba diving is a very exciting sport and recreational activity by itself. To put more fun and thrill, diving organizations and magazines regularly invite scuba diving enthusiasts to participate in contests that range from treasure hunting to photography to sweepstakes.

Joining these contests and competitions usually requires a membership or an upfront fee. Scuba diving contests are quite common in the diving community and have become a regular activity that has continuously attracted bigger followers.

Prizes
Aside from money, prizes can range from gift certificates to sponsored vacations. And these vacations aren’t too shabby, either. Overseas trips to tropical islands and popular diving sites are the usual top prizes, with airline tickets thrown in. If you’re really lucky, your prize could also include a set of brand name diving gear to use during your trip.

Other groups, magazines and sites also give away some pretty good stuff. Scuba Diving magazine, for example, in partnership with Florida Keys puts up a SeaDoo Explorer Underwater Scooter as top prize for their 2006 Drive and Dive Sweepstakes. Contest sponsors also give away smaller prizes that range from gift certificates for free air-fills to discounts on diving gears and equipment.

Contests
For scuba diving contests, one of the top sites to check out is www.scubadiver.com. This site periodically sponsors contests and posts announcements on its website. Another site is www.divernet.com, which sends out contest announcements through newsletters to members.

Some dive groups like the NorthWest Diver (www.nwdiver.com), have a more varied approach to scuba diving adventures. Diving contests to retrieve prizes involve both freediving and snorkeling. Divers are put in deep pools or open water to retrieve tokens in exchange for scuba diving prizes.

Another popular contest is their Treasure Chest hunt, where divers will search for a sunken chest for a $1000. Other organizations also offer the same type of contest and prizes vary, depending on the sponsoring companies and size of the event.

Most competitions sponsored by major organizations involve underwater photography. Www.aquanaut.com, for example, sponsors sea and sea photography competitions. Underwater photography contests are also sponsored by www.cyberdiver.net and www.diveremporium.com.

Other clubs like the South Florida Underwater Photography Society (www.sfups.org) and Laguna Sea Dwellers Dive Club promote underwater photography as a hobby and an art to scuba divers who prefer to capture marine life and sceneries. Depending on club rules, photos may only be taken on site or submitted through a website for judging.

If you’re looking for a tougher activity, Dolphin Divers of Sacramento, holds a regular Labor Day Spearfishing Contest. The club also offers annual underwater scavenger hunts to its members.

What to Expect When You Join a Scuba Diving Club

Scuba diving clubs exist primarily to promote the recreation and sport of scuba diving and are important sources of diving information and tips. Scuba clubs also organize trips to dive sites most members have never been to and they always give their members a heads up about important diving events.

Scuba diving clubs are also a great way to meet fellow divers not just locally, but also from around the world. Joining a scuba diving club also means you’ll have to be ready for some diving trips, both locally and overseas. It’s not uncommon for dive clubs to pack its members and fly to Mexico or Fiji for a diving trip.

Joining a scuba diving club is a fun way to learn more about this sport, since most clubs offer trainings and certifications. A lot of scuba diving clubs accept members regardless of experience, so whether you’re a newbie, a recreational diver or certified, you’ll be welcome to join.

Membership dues
Dive club membership fees vary. Some can go for as low as $25 per person annually to as high as $400, while some don’t charge a fee at all.

What you’ll get as a member
If you sign in as a dive club member online, you’ll receive diving club news, tips, contest announcements and group e-mails on a regular basis. You’ll also be eligible to join online and offline contests and have access to the club’s message group.

Another great thing about joining a dive club is that you’ll expand your number of diver friends and you get to socialize with likeminded people. Dive clubs hold regular meetings and most of these include diving trips, which isn’t all that bad. Some clubs, like h2ohms – High Voltage Divers (www.h2ohms.com) in L.A., never have meetings, only diving trips.

If your main reason in taking up scuba diving is to take pictures, you might be interested to join the L.A. Underwater Photographic Society (http://LAUPS.org) or the Empire Scuba Dive (www.empirescubadive.com) and the San Diego Underwater Photographic Society (www.sdups.com).

Eco-awareness and charity are also big issues with many dive clubs. Some of them conduct several diving events every year to raise funds for non-profit and charitable organizations and to raise awareness on the environment.

For a comprehensive list of scuba diving clubs in the U.S., go to www.scubayellowpages.com, which lists clubs by state. For information and reviews about scuba diving clubs in your locality, log on to www.scubalinx.com and check out their Scuba Poll which evaluates divers, clubs and schools and ranks them according to ratings based on professionalism, service, safety, dive sites and eco-awareness.

Scuba Diving Lessons in New York

There are plenty of scuba diving classes being offered in New York. If you’re thinking of taking one, you might want to know several requirements first. Before going to scuba diving class, make sure you have the following:

Interest – while classes can be completed in a few days, training and getting a certification will require some homework. Most diving schools in New York require their students to complete assignments that include reading materials, videos and exams. If you don’t have the interest, you might just give up and waste your time and money.

Scuba diving gear – you could rent, of course. But if you want to make scuba diving a regular part of your recreation, better get the gear first. This is not a requirement, however. Most schools only require the students to bring a mask, snorkel and fins. They provide the rest of the gear.

Money – scuba diving classes are quite inexpensive and usually start at $250, which includes class and pool training and dive gear use. Most course materials aren’t included in the fees.

Swimming skills – you need to be in reasonably good health and be a competent enough swimmer. Some trainings include floating and treading time and swimming 200 or 400 yards in a pool.

Age requirement – you should at least be 10 years old to take scuba diving lessons. If you want the PADI Open Water Diver course, you need to be at least 14.

If you fit the requirements for a New York scuba diving student, then you’re ready to take lessons. In no particular order, here are some NY diving schools you might want to check out:

Empire Divers
www.empiredivers.com

Located in NY’s Upper East Side, Empire Divers is a full-service PADI diving training center and dive shop. They offer PADI training certifications for all levels and have specialty classes in photography, nigh diving, deep diving and wreck diving, among others.

Adventure Scuba
www.adventurescubany.com

Adventure Scuba is a PADI authorized Five-Star Instructor Development Center. It holds pool time during Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and has a limited-sized class to allow more instructor-student interaction. They also offer a complete one-day training with their Executive Weekend Training course.

Pan Aqua
www.panaqua.com

Pan Aqua is a 25-year veteran in scuba training for all levels – from novice to instructor level. Like most NY scuba diving schools, they offer the PADI system. They train scuba diving students through class and pool sessions. They also offer open water training.

Village Divers
www.villagedivers.com

If you like smaller classes, you might want to check out Village Divers. They have an instructor-student limit of 1:4. This small dive shop offers both recreational and technical training.

Become a Certified Scuba Diver

Has the thought of learning how to scuba dive crossed your mind? If it did, what are the questions you often ask? Who can become divers? What are the requirements to become a certified diver? Why do I have to learn to dive?

Well, first of all, in order to get an Open Water Diver Certification, you must be over 15 years old. Young adults ages 10 to 14 (10-14 for PADI and 12 to 14 for NAUI) can get the counterpart which is the Junior Open Water Diver Certification.

Before one can get certified, he must be in good, or better yet, excellent physical health. If you think that you aren’t fit in scuba-diving terms, consult your doctor first.

Don’t worry. You don’t have to be an Olympic-medal winning swimmer for you to get your certificate. As long as you know the basic skill – which is swimming then you’re good.

Now, the best way for one to learn how to dive and to get the certificate is registering at a reputable program. Most offer PADI and NAUI certifications. There are other agencies that include Scuba Schools International, PDIC and YMCA

Regard choosing the program like you are shopping for clothes. You can compare them. It is your right to do so. It is also important that you go for the instructor you feel most comfortable with and completely trust. He or she must be patient, supportive, thorough and clear. If you feel queasy being around an instructor, then don’t continue the lessons anymore. Scuba diving is a hazardous sport and you need the proper training in order to be safe and successful.

The duration of courses depend on how short and how long you want it to be. You can fix your schedule. If you’re as free as a bird, then voila, you can be a certified diver in just two weeks.

But for those who work and leisure time is an opportunity they have to seize, the average is two months.

Now the cost? Generally, scuba diving courses cost around $175 to $250 but every penny is worth it. That is because it includes books and rental equipment. If you are into the sport, you can shop for your own equipment. There are a wide variety of masks, snorkels, weights, fins, belts and boots to choose from.

As time progressed, you will learn other scuba skills such as underwater photography, wreck diving, deep diving and spear fishing. Look at this way: earth is two-thirds water. As a certified scuba diver, you can discover first-hand the beauty of marine life not a majority of people have the opportunity to see.

Bookmark Scuba Diving

Thanks to the internet, a scuba diving enthusiast can peruse his monitor for a scuba diving book. By visiting sites, he can get summaries of a particular book and make the selection with just one click of the button.

At the moment, these are the best-selling books tackling the popular water sport scuba diving.

* Shadow Divers: The True Adventure of Two Americans Who Risked Everything to Solve One of the Last Mysteries of World War II
Author: Robert Kurson

It may be a long title and it doesn’t necessarily tackle scuba diving but what makes this book a best seller is because it is based in real life. In 1991, two scuba divers discovered a sunken German U-boat along the New Jersey coast. 60 dead men were inside. It was a mystery so over the years, these two scuba divers turned discoverers identified the sunken U-boat and its crew.

* Deep, Dark and Dangerous: Adventures and Reflections on the Andrea Doria
Author: Gary Gentile

The reader can easily get engaged in the well narration of the deep compartments and dark passageways where danger lurks around the corner and death is just a breath away. The author recounts in full detail the slow and inevitable fall of the Andrea Doria. Andrea Doria is a ship that remained to be intact even upon sinking. She served as a time tunnel for scuba divers/explorers, transporting them to a time now extinct.

* Deep Diving: An Advanced Guide to Physiology, Procedures and Systems
Authors: Brett Gilliam, Robert von Maier, John Crea

First ever book to tackle sport diving in depth and allocate space for a the complicated medical concerns of scuba divers. There is a balanced view on the fascination as well as the hazards of scuba diving, assisted by extensive and factual chapters.

* Basic Cave Diving
Author: Sheck Exley

This scuba diving guide discusses the procedure when cave diving in Florida. It is an interesting read for cave divers. The author is the greatest cave-diving pioneer of all time, therefore making the book full of ideas and insight that can help the readers learn how to engage in the sport in a safe manner.

* The Technical Diving Handbook
Author: Gary Gentile

The sequel to the popular and successful Ultimate Wreck-Diving Guide, the author updates, expands and revises his original ideas in this book. Underwater explorers have found this book helpful. The Technical Diving Handbook is a must for extended range-divers. The chapters discuss each aspect of the sport to the technical diving details every diver must know.

Is there such a thing as Nude Scuba Diving?

Many people find nature very relaxing, especially when they stay beside a body of water. Example, the singer Sarah McLachlan. She couldn’t imagine living away from the ocean.

Some water babies prefer scuba diving because it allows them to be closer to marine life. Diving underneath the deep recesses of the ocean allow them to witness first-hand coral reefs and underwater marine life such as dolphins and sharks.

But did you know that there is an alternative in the scuba diving sport we, normal people (those who are not into diving) are aware about. There is nude scuba diving. In fact there are even clubs which have members who enjoy being so free when they’re deep down in the water.

For these people, diving in the nude is so exhilarating. They like the feel of water naturally caressing their body. Their number is actually surprising.

Just like any activity people engage in, there are safety considerations in nude scuba diving. For example, there are some tropical and subtropical waters that have sea lice which can be caught under clothing. If this happens, the lice sting is quite painful. Sea lice don’t cling to the skin but they do cling to body hair. Therefore, if one is going to scuba dive in the nude, the recommended body hair must be shaved or trimmed.

Also, nude scuba diving assists the diver in becoming better in his sport by making him more conscious of his surroundings. The underwater environment will teach him improved and advanced diving skills. For example, rocks, coral, cliffs can be brushed against when the diver is wearing a wetsuit. This can damage the expensive gear and even result in a safety hazard. But in scuba diving, the diver can “be” in his environment. However, this means that he should be all the more careful.

There may be advantages in nude scuba diving, but there are also some disadvantages naturally. Like, male divers must avoid feeding fish because some of the fish can’t tell food from a man’s private organs. The fish can bite it. Also, men should always protect themselves when a school of fish comes their way.

I bet you’re snickering as you are reading this, but it is a serious matter any nude scuba diver must take notice of. A fish bite is hazardous. Just be conscious of the diving environment you are in – especially if you aren’t wearing a wetsuit or bathing suit.

If you would want to try nude scuba diving, you can go to Mexico, Honduras, Antiqua, Bahamas, Bonaire, Dominican Republic, Florida and Jamaica. A majority of nude scuba drivers frequent the beaches there.