Are you for scuba? Instructor Brooke checks with her student on a descent line.
Did you know that the ocean covers over 70% of the Earth’s surface? That means that most human beings only see about 1/3 of what this amazing world has to offer. Not interested in the math? Here are some of our favorite reasons for becoming a SCUBA diver:
- No phones, emails, or presidential debates. For the most part, diving is serene. You will hear yourself breathing, fish eating coral, and the occasional noise-maker from your dive buddy trying to get your attention (hopefully to point out something incredible), but not much else. Sounds nice, doesn’t it? Ohmmmmmmm.
- You don’t qualify for the astronaut academy and are tired of gravity. Don’t give up on your dream of weightlessness! SCUBA diving is a great way to experience neutral buoyancy (the sweet spot between sinking and floating). If whales can do it, so can you!
- Non-verbal communication. At a lame party? The hand signal for “Follow me to the exit” will save you and your dive buddy from getting stuck talking to a vegan cross-fitter who teaches yoga and grows their own kale.
- Better selfies. Manta rays, sharks and whales live in the ocean along with thousands of other incredible critters. And you can dive with them. And take photos.
- Learn what a “Big Mac” is called in other countries. You can dive in almost any body of water. Lakes, quarries, rivers, oceans, and even swimming pools if you just need to blow bubbles. SCUBA diving is recognized world-wide!
- Learn something new while swimming through something old. There are thousands of wrecked ships and planes from human history that can only be seen underwater. With a wreck specialty certification you can learn how to safely navigate these sunken treasures.
- You can do it instead of learning how to play Bridge. As long as you’re in good cardiac and pulmonary health, you can dive! Your certification never expires, though a tune-up is suggested after 6 months to a year of diving inactivity to refresh your safety skills.
In all seriousness, there are so many reasons to become a diver. If you still aren’t convinced, here are some others:
- Endemic species. Many of the best dive locations are known to be the best dive locations because they have something you won’t find in any other body of water.
- Travel. Get that passport ready! In addition to discovering new dive locations, you can learn about the different cultures around the world.
- It’s relaxing. For the most part, diving is an extremely relaxing sport. All you need to do is descend into the blue and the fish will take it from there. You could spend hours in 1 spot just watching how the critters make a living underwater.
- Members only. Join the other 2.5 million people in the world with an active SCUBA diving certification. It’s a great conversation piece and an easy ice-breaker when meeting other divers.
- “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever”. -Jacques Cousteau. If you don’t know anything about him, do yourself a favor and start looking up all of the incredible things he did for diving and marine conservation. He is truly an inspiration to all of us!
Best Fishes!