Scuba diving cannot be done carelessly, here are 3 key preparations

Living in an archipelago has many advantages. Besides being able to frequent trips to the beach, you can also try to learn scuba diving, which is diving in the sea. However, even though diving may seem easy, it turns out that there are many things you have to prepare before taking a scuba diving and ocean diving course. What should a beginner know before starting scuba diving? Check out the information below.

Scuba diving cannot be done carelessly

Diving under the sea is not the same as swimming. The environmental conditions under the sea are very different from those in a swimming pool or on land. Therefore, you cannot just dive in the water. Before diving in Indonesian waters, you must have a scuba diving certificate issued by diving schools.

So, you really have to pass a course at a diving school first, have a certificate, then enjoy the natural beauty of the underwater world in Indonesia or in other countries. The higher your flight hours, the more beautiful waters you can dive into.

So what happens when humans dive under the sea?

Quoted from Cadventura, when you are under water, the warmth of your body will disappear 20 times faster than when you are on land. Without proper training, you may immediately become cold or develop hypothermia.

In addition, diving can also cause barotrauma. Barotrauma is an injury to the middle ear due to increased pressure under water. To prevent this, divers usually equalize or equilibrate. This term is used to make the ear adapt to high pressure conditions. The trick is to exhale the air while closing the nose.

In fact, while diving you may experience nitrogen narcosis. This happens because there is excess nitrogen in the body so you can lose consciousness. In certain cases, narcotic nitrogen can cause coma. The symptoms of nitrogen narcosis can appear even at a depth of 10 meters.

In essence, although diving is a fun activity, it does not mean it is without risks. For that, you need adequate preparation before scuba diving, you can't just dive under the sea just like that.

What kind of preparations must be made before joining scuba diving?

For those of you who have never dived in the ocean, there are three main things that need to be considered when you want to take a scuba diving course. For more details, consider the following information.

1. Competence in water (waterskill)

It is commonplace in sports that are somewhat unique and extreme like scuba diving if there are several competency requirements that must be achieved first. These requirements exist for your own comfort and safety while diving. In addition, if the requirements are met or you are competent enough, you will be able to master the diving field much more easily.

Quoted from the Scuba Diving Intro, there is a test from the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) that you must pass to see how much waterskillor your competence in the water.

First, for 10 minutes you can float or swim to the edge of the pool or stay in the middle of the water without assistance.

Second, swimming without tools as far as 200 meters or swimming as far as 300 meters with a diving mask, snorkel and frog shoes. This test will be easy to pass if you are used to swimming. In this test there is no count of time, so you can swim casually to store energy.

During a diving course, your dive instructor will guide you so that you can master the basic skills that are prerequisite.

2. Health requirements

To get a diving certification, you need to be in good health and fit. For that, you need a doctor's letter stating that you meet the health requirements needed before diving. The way to get it is by checking directly with the doctor. What should the doctor check? Here's the list.

Overall medical history
X-ray of the chest
Electrocardiogram (EKG) to see the electrical activity of the heart
Lung function
Audiogram
Visual acuity (eye vision)
Complete blood count
Urine test

There may be other medical tests that you need to undergo but were not listed above. Therefore, contact your diving course to determine what health criteria must be met before diving.

In addition, you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire to assess if there are certain health conditions that might be holding you back from diving.

Indeed, there are several health conditions that are highly discouraged for diving. Among them are abnormalities in the middle ear cavity, coronary heart disease, and asthma.

3. Learn to know your dive gear

Apart from physical preparation and medical tests, there is one more thing that is no less important if you want to take part in scuba diving. Yes, the important thing is to learn to use and master various diving equipment.

It is your duty to recognize and understand how each part of the dive gear works as best as possible. Think of these scuba gear as an extension of your own physical abilities. For example, understanding how a scuba tube hose works for underwater breathing. You have to know how it works as if the tube were the airway inside your own body. How well you know these scuba gear can be the key to whether you will be successful at diving or not.

In addition, you also need to know what risks can occur in these devices and how to prevent them or overcome them when they occur. For example, diving masks must be fitted tightly. If you get your head down and your mask wobbles, it doesn't fit tight enough and you risk water ingress. Ask your dive instructor what to do if suddenly your mask feels loose while diving.