SCUBA stands for 'Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus'.

Not really. Statistics show that recreational scuba diving is about as safe as swimming. Certainly there are potential hazards - which is why you need training and certification - but like driving a car, as long as you follow the rules and use common sense, it's pretty safe.

It depends on what you're doing. If you're a beginner then the training schools should provide all necessary equipment. As you progress you'll acquire pieces of equipment gradually, usually starting with mask, fins and snorkel, a watch, knife, torch and weight belt etc, then maybe a suit or a regulator up to a BCD and cylinder. It's also about personal preference - maybe you don't fancy using a school mask, snorkel or regulator and wish to buy your own instead.

Yes. All you need to be is a reasonably proficient swimmer who is comfortable and relaxed in the water. The swimming requirement for certification is an easy 183 metre/200 yard non-stop swim (with no time or specific stroke requirement), followed by a 10 minute tread/float.

Your ears hurt because water pressure pushes in on your ear drum. In your scuba course, you'll learn a simple technique to equalize your ears to the surrounding pressure, much like you do when you land in an airplane, and they won't hurt at all.

How long is a piece of string????? You get what you pay for but, as usual, it's best to shop around to get a range of prices and a general feel for what costs what. Second-hand diving equipment, though, is regularly available in the Classified Ads if you know what you're looking for.

Again, it depends on a number of factors such as which Training Organisation the school is linked to, whether there is funding available (sometimes this is the case with NVQ links to colleges of further education), where you are doing your training and the type of course it is. Check out our current price list for examples.

This will depend on where you're diving and what equipment you have - if you need to hire equipment, this can increase the cost. Boat diving is popular for holiday destinations. This usually involves a full day aboard a boat, lunch and a couple of dives with equipment, all included in the price.

No, cylinders are filled with ...... air! You breathe air on land so why not underwater? The only difference is that the air is filtered to remove impurities.

This is a common question that, unfortunately, doesn't have a single answer. People breathe at different rates, and you breathe faster when you're swimming than when you're resting. Also, the deeper you go, the faster you use your air, and, you can get different size tanks. So, the answer is "it depends"; this is why divers have a gauge that tell them how much air they have at all times. As an approximation, though, a diver sightseeing in calm, warm water in the 5 metre/15 foot to 10 metre/30 foot range can expect the average tank to last about an hour.

The Links Page gives a run down of the main training organisations and contact information for them.

Ouch! Tough question. Sorry, we can't answer that question because we're a PADI dive centre so we're biased!! As a guide, however, please read the article Diving Agencies. In the UK it's basically a straight choice between BSAC, PADI and SAA.

No, in fact, it's probably easier than you imagine - especially if you're already comfortable in the water. PADI's entry-level diver course is split into knowledge development, confined water (pool) skill training and four scuba training dives. The course is "performance based," which means that you progress as you learn and demonstrate knowledge and skill. BSAC runs courses of a similar nature.

That depends on the training organisation, but generally it's around 10 years old, though there are some HSE age restrictions imposed in this country linked to Open Water diving.

Upon qualification, you will be issued with an identification card by your training organisation. Without this card you will be unable to hire equipment or have a cylinder filled at any dive centre. However, once you have your card it will be recognised worldwide and you can go diving anywhere!

Absolutely. The PADI Discover Scuba Diving program allows you to make a shallow scuba dive supervised by a PADI professional after a short pool session to familiarize you with the equipment and some techniques. You can usually do this in a few hours. There's also a programme that lets you try scuba in a swimming pool only. This takes even less time, and it's popular in places that may not have an actual scuba diving site at hand. Again BSAC run a similar programme.

No. Generally speaking, anyone in good average health and at least 10 years old can participate. As a precaution, you'll be asked to complete a routine medical questionnaire. If anything on the questionnaire indicates something to be cautious about, you'll check with your doctor to make sure it's acceptable to dive.