Scuba diving
What is Scuba diving

Man has always desired to go underwater - to hunt for food, repair ships or to observe marine life. Scuba divers, however, do more than just check out the fish! Scuba diving is a complex sport which cannot be perfected in one lesson. Even if you are a recreational diver, you must get your certification before you move on to more specialised feats such as night diving, underwater photography, wreck diving etc.

Scuba is an acronym for 'self-contained underwater breathing apparatus'. The apparatus is carried by the diver and not connected to the surface. It is hence self-contained. Just about any teenager or adult who enjoys the water and can swim, and who does not have heart or lung impairment, can learn to scuba dive. Some basic classroom and in-water training are required to pursue the sport.

Where to go
Kadamat & Bangaram islands in Lakshadweep, Havelock in the Andaman & Nicobar islands and Murudeshwar in Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka are the hot spots for scuba diving.
Goa is also favoured by scuba diving enthusiasts. Grande Island, off the Mormugoa harbour in Goa, is popular because of good underwater visibility. In Goa, you can also check out Suzy's Wreck, Davy Jones, Locker Sail Rock Turbo and Tunnel Shelter Cove.

What you need to know
While scuba diving, you should watch out for pressure-related injuries. Make sure that you do not run out of air, breathe contaminated air or get hit by a passing boat. Always be aware of other divers around you and stay with your group. Training courses in scuba diving are available at Goa, Kadmat island in Lakshadweep and the Andamans. Depending on the location, the cost of the course may or may not include guides, equipment rentals, accommodation and food.

What you must carry
You could rent equipment from the tour operator. Amateur scuba divers must have 'required' gear that includes a mask, snorkel, fins, buoyancy compensator (BC), regulator, weights, and often a wetsuit. Gadget gear is for the pros. Donned for night diving, underwater photography, or on search and recovery missions, gadget gear includes knives, cameras, strobes, video recorders, lights, lift bags, lines, reels, and even underwater laser pointers. You could give this a miss unless you are planning to join the big league.

Scuba diving : Do's and Don'ts
Pay close attention to pre-dive briefings from the crew.
Don't throw waste in the sea or beach.
Don't pick corals, shells, or anything from the sea.
Don't swim under the hull or swim platform.