Get comfortable in the water

If you're terrified of marine creatures, don't be. Learn more about them and dispel your fears.

Years of misinformation on television and the movies have given many people an unwarranted fear of our oceans' inhabitants. The timid octopus, gentle orca, and giant squid among others, have all been portrayed as terrors of the deep! The reality is that none of them are a threat to humans. Even the shark, that most dreaded of all sea-going predators, is not quite the terror Hollywood would have us believe.

The fact is that your chances are far greater of dying from bee stings than from being attacked by a shark. As long as you don't go swimming with seals (favorite food of the great white shark) off the Channel Islands near California or spearfishing on Dangerous Reef in Australia there's no need to be concerned about this primeval predator. Most shark attacks happen by mistake and are more often on swimmers and surfers than divers. The shark mistakes the surfer or swimmer for a seal or injured fish and oops, it bites.

Fortunately, we don't taste good to them, though that sample bite can really hurt. Makes you think again about the safety of surfing, doesn't it? When you're down in the water with them, you're usually perceived as a neighbor, not dinner. 

Barracudas, another maligned predator, are attracted to shiny things, which includes jewelry. Don't wear any in the water and you may soon find they are just another fish, one that comes close to divers as many others do, and is no more to be feared than a clownfish. The tiny damselfish is much more likely to peck at you that the barracuda is to bite you, yet these tiny little fish do not inspire terror. Maybe if Hollywood made a movie titled "Damselfish: the tiny terrors" that would change and they would be more feared than the less aggressive barracuda or the friendly sharks.

There are marine creatures that can be hazardous to your health. They are usually small, timid creatures who will gladly leave you alone as long as you return the courtesy. Sometimes, just being able to identify them is helpful. Creatures such as jellyfish and Portuguese men-o'-war have tendrils with stinging cells that are not fatal, just awfully uncomfortable and painful. They float or drift along, so just be aware and don't get caught in their tendrils. Others such as the beautiful lionfish, scorpionfish, and the much less attractive rockfish, have poisonous spines. Avoid them and they will avoid you.

You may want to have a check-up from a doctor.

Take a SCUBA introductory course - Optional

Choose an instructor.

In 1986 the U.S. based agencies, through the auspices of the RSTC, agreed on minimum standards for Open Water certification, which became the entry level certification. Among these requirements is a minimum of 200 yards swimming requirement (300 yards for the YMCA). Any instructor that says you don't have to swim is not following the minimum standards of any agency, at least none in the United States.

Choose your certification course.

Choosing and buying equipment

For many years it was rare to see a woman diver, so most gear was designed for men. As the percentage of women divers increased, gear was made smaller (and in colors such as pink) to accommodate them. Simply scaling the size down did not necessarily make for a proper fit. Of late though, dive equipment manufacturers have paid attention to the ergonomics of dive gear for women and their different proportions, so don't settle for anything less than a good fit whether you are male or female. 

If you find a piece of recently purchased gear isn't suited for you - perhaps the fins take too much effort for your legs - many dive shops will allow you to exchange them for something else. They're not obligated to do so, although many will. Be sure to ask before you buy. Personalized service is one of the advantages dive shops offer over mail order and sports superstores. Since the chances are that you will dive with the same shop or instructor that taught you and you bought gear from, they want to make sure you are completely satisfied and come back. If you are reasonable and courteous, chances are good they will be as well.

the Divers Alert Network (DAN)

Dive

Additional training

Certification mills - dive shops that churn out divers certified at higher levels mostly because of classes in rapid succession (and a few more dives) short change the diver and the industry. They devalue the meaning of a higher level certification card and may mislead the diver into believing he or she is on a par with a more experienced diver at the same rating level. If your primary goal is a higher certification level for the card itself, then you can save your money. You won't earn any respect from experienced divers and the only people you might impress will know less about diving than you do, and you'll find there aren't many. A simple question like "How many dives have you made" or "How long have you been a diver" can destroy any illusions you may have created.

If you are going to try a different type of diving, then additional training is a must!

One type of diving certification does not mean you are qualified for other types of diving. It's like a motor vehicle driver's license; having one does not make one qualified to drive a bus, train, or race car. The various types of diving, which include wreck, cave, cavern, ice, night, and others, all require specialized knowledge, training, and equipment. If you want to continue diving safely, you must continue your diving education before you try something new.

Enjoy

YES! You can become diver, if you have the courage and the desire to do so. You are a winner!