Scuba gear bags are essential pieces of dive equipment that are for the most part drastically underrated. Whether you are a professional diver or a novice, it pays to invest in a gear bag. Scuba bags help protect dive gear, subsequently extending its shelf-life and saving divers a tremendous amount of money in the long run.

The Benefits of Scuba Gear Bags
What is the use in paying top dollar for quality scuba gear if you dont have a bag in which to protect it? Scuba gear bags are designed specifically for the care and preservation of all sorts of diving equipment. There are literally thousands of different types of gear bags from which to choose, but the best are those that are lightweight and just big enough to carry a days worth of diving equipment.

Too often, divers make the mistake of investing in huge dive bags in which to lug every piece of dive gear they own. Dont make this mistake, as it will likely come back to haunt you. Instead, opt for a smaller bag in which to comfortably carry your BC, mask, regulator, dive computer, and weight belt. Minimalism is essential when purchasing and packing a dive bag; this is especially true when you are going on a long vacation.

Quality dive bags are as comfortable to carry around as they are efficient. My favorite gear bags, for instance, are those that are designed to work like a backpack. Be advised, however, not to simply purchase a standard backpack and attempt to use it like a gear bag. The benefits of using a pack designed specifically for scuba gear are numerous but include features such as dry pouches (for things you dont want to get wet, such as your wallet) and sand-resistant insulation.

Scuba diving lessons are crucial to safe diving. No matter how much you think you know about the process, it is imperative that you participate in dive education and earn your certification before participating in even the simplest of dives. Diving without proper instruction can result in severe injury and even death.

Scuba Diving Lessons: Getting Certified
Many people are wary of scuba diving instruction, believing the process to be too complicated to master. Nothing could be further from the truth. Scuba diving is not only easy to learn but fun as well. Depending on the instruction method you choose, it should only take a matter of days in order to understand the process and be awarded your dive certification either from NAUI, PADI, or SSI (the three nationally accepted agencies of dive instruction).

Scuba dive lessons usually start with classroom sessions, during which students are briefed in the basics, including equipment introduction as well as physiology of diving. In most cases, students are issued books and workbooks with which to study and do homework (yes, there is frequently homework). After the classroom lessons are complete, students and instructors move either to a pool or open body of water to learn basic diving skills such as setting up gear, breathing via regulator, buoyancy control, and mask clearing.

Once you have demonstrated a firm grasp of diving fundamentals, your instructor will schedule a series of open water dives during which you will tested on all that you have learned. Due to the fact that open water dives are a requirement of graduation, many people opt to get their certifications in scuba-friendly locales. I, for instance, got certified while visiting Maui. The experience was fun, exciting, interesting, and positively made my trip. I recommend the same to anyone.

There are hundreds of different types of scuba diving equipment, the most basic being the face mask. Despite their simplistic nature, face masks are extremely important pieces of dive gear. And given the fact that there are literally thousands of masks from which to choose, it behooves divers to take their time with the selection process.

Scuba Diving Equipment: Finding the Right Face Mask
When it comes to face masks, there is not one superlative brand or model. In other words, the face mask that is ideal for me might not be ideal for you. When shopping for a mask, what you are looking for is a watertight fit. Unfortunately, most dive shops do not come equipped with a pool in which customers can test their products. Therefore, in order to know if the mask you like offers a good fit, youll have to conduct a series of in-store tests.

First, tilt your head back with your face towards the ceiling and let the mask sit on your face. The mask should fit evenly around your face with no air gaps. Once the mask passes the ceiling test, slowly bring your face forward and lightly inhale through the nose (be advised not to inhale heavily during this test as a sharp inhale will make even the most ill-fitting masks seal to the face). A quality mask that fits well should immediately seal and sit on your face without the assistance of your hand and/or the strap.

The next step is to put a regulator and/or snorkel in your mouth in order to make sure the mask still fits. Pay close attention to the way your face feels while testing the mask. Is the space above your upper lip sore? Is there plenty of room for your nose in the mask? Are you able to easily reach the nose pocket with your hand for equalizing? Knowing the answers to such questions will aid greatly in your quest for the perfect diving mask.

Nearly two-thirds of Earth are covered with water. What this means is that if you traveled the entire world and somehow managed to cover every inch of land, in the end you will only have explored less than half of the Earths surface. That is why scuba diving is such an exhilarating activity. In permitting individuals to spend time beneath the water, scuba diving allows for exploration of world rarely seen.

In order to go scuba diving, one must first get certified. Scuba diving certification usually only takes a matter of days and is positively crucial to safe diving. In order to breathe underwater, divers must carry a tank full of compressed air on their backs. When an individual breathes compressed air, the body tissues absorb extra nitrogen. Unless someone is trained in how to breathe underwater as well as how to use the required equipment, he or she runs a severe risk of being injured or killed.

Scuba Diving Instruction: NAUI, PADI and SSI
Fortunately, diving is a very safe sport once it is understood. Although thousands of certified divers take dive trips every year, on average only 90 or so accidents are annually reported. If you are interested in getting certified in dive training, there are three agencies which offer certification. These agencies are PADI (The Professional Association of Diving Instructors), NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors) and SSI (Scuba Schools International).

Each of these agencies has developed a nationally recognized curriculum necessary for professional dive certification. When looking for a dive school to facilitate your certification, make sure they are licensed via PADI, NAUI, or SSI. In addition, make sure that the curriculum featured offers closed as well as open water training.

Scuba diving is a very fun albeit potentially dangerous sport. If the equipment and overall process arent taken seriously, grave consequences can result. As someone who is well-trained and experienced in scuba diving, I would like to take this opportunity to offer a few diving tips. Hopefully after reading the following information, you will have a better grasp on the process and experience safer dives.

Important Scuba Diving Tips
The most crucial tip I can suggest to anyone interested in scuba diving is this: never attempt to scuba dive without proper certification. Scuba diving involves breathing compressed air underwater; a process that, unless properly understood, can result in a painful, sometimes immediate death. Dive training doesnt take very long (only a matter of days) and is offered nationwide.

Dont drink and dive. This might seem an obvious tip, but you would be amazed how many people ignore the dangers involved with drinking and diving and thus risk injuries. According to the National Association of Underwater Instructors, diving impairs alertness, coordination, and judgment, and is associated with an increased risk for accidents. In my opinion, scuba diving is a beautiful experience on its own. Why ruin it and increase your chances of injury by drinking?

Finally, and most importantly, never hold your breath while diving. Despite the fact that this rule is repeated over and over during certification and is considered the number one in the canon of diving, it is also the number one cause of injury and DCS (decompression sickness) among divers. If you find yourself beneath the water and starting to panic, force yourself to breathe and slowly, slowly make your way to the surface. Did I mention you should do this last party slowly? Yes, do it slowly. Your health depends on it!