Different Types of Scuba Diving

Scuba diving, like most things, comes in more than one flavor or variety. There’s scuba diving for the novice, the experienced, the adventurer, and the explorer. In fact, scuba diving adventures can provide hours of exciting exploration of the waters beneath the surface and of the treasures that they hold, both living and nonliving.

Cave diving

involves the exploration of underwater caves. Mexico and Florida have some of the most popular caves for cave diving. Many of the caves can be small and involve narrow places within them, so this is not a good type of scuba diving for the claustrophobic.

Drift diving

is a very relaxed form of scuba diving. The diver allows the currents of the water to carry him away on his adventure. Moreover, the scuba diver exerts a minimum expenditure of energy this way, allowing him to stay underwater for a longer period of time.

Night diving

involves the exploration of bodies of water under the dark cloak of nighttime darkness. Underwater torches are used to aid the scuba diver in seeing through the murky darkness. In fact, some avid night divers consider the total darkness of the depths of the water at night to add to the exhilaration of the experience.

Open water scuba diving

typically involves an experience in a large body of water such as an ocean, sea, or lake. The draw for this type of scuba diving is the opportunity it offers for an exploration of underwater ecosystems and the many marvels that they hold. This is perhaps the most avidly practiced form of scuba diving today.

Rescue diving

is a form of scuba diving that is limited to trained personnel only. This type of scuba diving involves a very specialized type of dive that is often inherently filled with danger. Rescue diving is used whenever an underwater rescue mission is underway. Only individuals who have been trained in paramedic or emergency operations can participate in this strategic endeavor.

Wreck diving

involves one of the most romanticized forms of scuba diving- the hunt for treasure. This dive is designed specifically for the hunt for underwater man-made treasures, typically from sunken ships.

Various training programs are offered for the different types of scuba diving as well as the different levels of scuba certification. In fact, many forms of scuba diving are permissible only with specific certifications. The proper equipment should be used for scuba diving at all times. Any legitimate scuba diving shop can provide the necessary equipment for sale or rent as well as information concerning training classes.