If you are looking for activities in Vanuatu, one you must try is scuba diving. Many of us dream of scuba diving on their exotic vacation, but worry that if they learn to scuba dive, they’ll end up wasting a lot of money and vacation time on just one activity. The reality is that there are diving courses and schools all over the world, and it is feasible to start your diving training course in your local country and complete it while you are on vacation. Or better yet, you can complete the small amount of theory required to learn to dive before you start your vacation and earn a scuba certification that allows you to dive anywhere on the planet during your vacation. So, before you start your vacation, carefully consider your options if you want to be taught to scuba dive. When you learn to scuba dive, they will teach you the basic mechanics in a pool. This may seem simplistic, but even the best swimmers need to learn special movement systems when learning to dive, as the mechanics are not the same as those used with constant swimming, especially since divers also have equipment to handle. The introductory course or Discover Scuba also teaches the potential diver the use and preparation of the equipment.

This is the most intimidating aspect for people wanting to be taught how to scuba, but once you understand the ways to properly handle your scuba equipment, you can start diving with confidence. Naturally, safety is a vital part of your course as you learn to dive, and the buddy system is necessary, even for experienced divers.

Other skills taught in the beginner and intermediate courses include some classroom work, as well as pool work and open water scuba training. You can learn to dive through manuals and videos, not just underwater, but many of these materials can be studied at home to maximize the amount of time students spend in the water. Many dive operations also offer online learning.

Most places have a minimum age, but this is pretty young, usually around 10-12 years old. For those who have medical conditions, for example diabetes or asthma, they will normally not be allowed to dive unless a doctor approves the course for the patient. Some colleges will require you to take a medical, and others will allow anyone to start the course if they appear to be in good general health or answer no to all questions on a fairly detailed medical questionnaire. Many diving schools offer refresher courses and many offer them for free. Anyone who wants to return to diving as a hobby should take a refresher course if they haven’t been diving for a year or two. Diving certifications issued by some accrediting companies do not expire, so if you can’t find your diving certification card, many operations can look up old certifications online for you.

Some students learning to dive will go on and take more sophisticated courses, for example Openwater and Advanced Openwater or even Dive Master or Instructor. Some will have to give up their lifeless nine to five routine and become full time scuba instructors. It’s a great job for those who like to be on the water and go to exotic places. However, given the safety issues to consider, scuba instructor certification requires a lot of experience and study, and many would rather simply learn to dive for pleasure than contemplate a job in scuba diving.

Whether you need to learn to dive, take a refresher course, or take your training to the next level, there’s a dive center not far from you or surely available at your next vacation destination if you’re near the water.