Scuba diving is a sport where people go beneath the surface of the water to explore the underwater world. Those who enjoy the sport also take part in marine biology research. They wear equipment to stay underwater for long periods of time.
Most people enjoy the sport for recreational purposes. However, they should always do their research and make sure they have the necessary equipment before heading out into the water. In addition, they should take precautions to avoid injuries. There are a number of risks involved with diving, and some of them can be fatal. These include exposed metal on wrecks, fishing line, and coral.
It is a good idea to consult with your physician before you dive. The doctor can check your medical history to determine if there are any conditions that may interfere with your ability to safely dive. Also, he or she can perform a physical examination on you to assess your fitness. If you have any medications, you should also ask your physician whether they are safe for diving. You may also want to discuss any health changes you’ve made recently.
One of the main risks of scuba diving is decompression sickness. The condition affects your brain, lungs, and spinal cord. Some of the symptoms of this condition are dizziness, delirium, and even paralysis. This condition is caused by too much nitrogen in the air, which causes bubbles in the blood. When the bubbles form, they can interfere with your blood’s oxygenation. A diver can prevent this condition by using nitrox, which is a mixture of air with more oxygen than normal.
When you scuba dive, you should never hold your breath. Holding your breath can lead to serious complications, such as pulmonary barotrauma. For this reason, you should ascend slowly. If you feel yourself becoming too exhausted, swallow and blow with your mouth closed. Always remember to follow your instructor’s instructions to avoid accidents.
Before your dive, check the weather and other conditions to ensure your safety. Divers should never go diving with a fever, cold, or congested nose. If you have any of these conditions, you should stop the dive and go to the surface immediately.
In the event of an emergency, a diver should have an emergency action plan, including reliable communication devices, first aid supplies, and a dependable plan for recompression. Having an emergency plan will minimize the risk of diving-related injuries and death.
Diving is an activity that requires a great deal of fitness, and many people become injured or die from poor physical conditioning. Fortunately, scuba training is now available for anyone interested. Whether you are a beginner or a veteran, there is a class to suit your needs.
Scuba divers need to use a regulator to regulate the pressure of the air coming from their tank. In the US, the most common measurement is PSI (pounds per square inch), but you should also keep in mind that bars represent the pressure on the air in the tank. Generally, divers should start a dive with at least 100 bar of air in their tanks.
