{"id":6173,"date":"2022-01-25T20:16:12","date_gmt":"2022-01-25T20:16:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/okdivingmalta.com\/start-to-dive\/"},"modified":"2022-07-18T22:09:20","modified_gmt":"2022-07-18T22:09:20","slug":"start-to-dive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/okdivingmalta.com\/en\/start-to-dive\/","title":{"rendered":"Start to dive"},"content":{"rendered":"

AT OK Diving Malta, we have considered this blog to share with you the basic information you need to know to start diving. We will answer your questions of What? How? Where? When? to discover another world… the underwater world!<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00bfWhat is Scuba diving?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Scuba Diving<\/strong> is an aquatic sport that although considered at risk enjoys a fairly high safety, as long as certain norms and standards are respected.
\nThe main purpose is diving underwater with\u00a0the use of an autonomous compressed air equipment<\/strong> that supplies us with air during the dive. The meaning of SCUBA is self contained underwater breathing apparatus.<\/p>\n

That is why the diving associations decided to standardize practice and teaching<\/strong>, to keep it within safe and low risk limits, because we are obviously using a technical team and immersing ourselves in another environment other than ours, the aquatic. In other words, breathe under the water as if we were a fish<\/strong>. With the diving you will be able to contemplate and enjoy the immensity of the ocean and the great biodiversity that it shelters. Humans have always wanted to explore new places and this is the best way to discover the sea.<\/p>\n

There are two types of diving, recreational diving<\/strong> that is done for fun and professional diving<\/strong>, which is done as a profession. We are interested in recreational diving where maximum depths of 40 meters are reached, although this requires some experience and training. The content of the tank would be air.<\/p>\n

Scuba diving for beginners: Discover Scuba Diving<\/b><\/p>\n

If it is your first time and you are interested to start scuba diving, we advise you to go to a dive center where you will find\u00a0help and advice of certified professionals.<\/p>\n

To start\u00a0diving you can choose between two types of initiation: Discover Scuba Diving<\/a> course (DSD), which is an introduction of diving and usually lasts half a day. The other option is the Open Water Diver <\/a>course, which is the full course with certification that enables you to dive independently and usually lasts 3 or 4 days. We will explain them in more detail later.<\/p>\n

These modalities can be obtained in countless Associations, most of them contain and are based on standards on theory and practice of safe diving. So there are not many differences apparently. At OK Diving Malta we work directly with PADI and SSI, recognized worldwide. In any case, the quality of the course will depend obviously on the professionalism of\u00a0the diving center and the instructors who train you.<\/p>\n

If you want to start diving, at OK Diving Malta we have a diving course for beginners<\/a>, where you will enjoy your best experience on your vacations in Malta.<\/p>\n

\u00bfWhere to start diving?<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are many dive centers and many professionals that you can choose for start diving, from OK Diving Malta<\/strong> we recommend that you make sure the one chosen is certified by at least one international organization like PADI or SSI. It is always better\u00a0to check the facilities and the equipment they use before taking the course, they will give you an impression of how professional they are. It should be clean, organized, and the material has to look good and not deteriorate. If you also know your instructor personally it would be much\u00a0better.<\/p>\n

There are many places to dive although not all are suitable for beginners. We advise you to check before choosing a new dive site and also\u00a0to opt for professional help if you do not feel experienced enough.
\nObviously the best dive sites will be the ones with the best conditions, good visibility sites like here in Malta, nice water temperatures, there are not many currents and the surf is not excessive. Any site can be good if you have acceptable conditions, the first experience will be unforgettable in any of the ways. \ud83d\ude00<\/p>\n

Fortunately in Malta we have conditions that make diving an especially pleasant and enjoyable activity.<\/strong> The divers who come to visit us agree that the diving in the maltese islands is one of the best of the\u00a0Mediterranean sea. Temperatures up to 28 degrees and visibility of more than 30 meters.
\nIt is possible to dive in the three islands that make up the archipelago throughout the year although the best time is from April to November. Diving in Malta, Gozo and Comino is simply spectacular.<\/p>\n

Diving Equipment<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the following section you will find\u00a0the necessary materials for scuba diving:<\/p>\n

Mask<\/strong><\/p>\n

The mask is used, as everyone knows, to be able to have a good view under water but also must be able to hold the nose inside.<\/p>\n

Fins<\/strong><\/p>\n

The fins are the most important part for our displacement since while you scuba\u00a0dive the hands must be free. The fins should be adjustable and the length of the fin will also influence our kicking.<\/p>\n

Boots<\/strong><\/p>\n

The bootes are complemented by the fins since they offer a greater protection and subjection. Neoprene and rubber boots are also recommended with a zipper.<\/p>\n

Weight Belt<\/strong><\/p>\n

One of the most important parts of the scuba diving equipment\u00a0is the weight belt\u00a0as it will help you with your buoyancy. Without it\u00a0we will surely float on surface due to the positive buoyancy of the wetsuit.<\/p>\n

Wetsuit<\/strong><\/p>\n

The wetsuit\u00a0is essential since it keeps us warm and allows us to\u00a0\u00a0be under water for a long period of time. Depending on the water temperature you will need a wetsuit, a semi-dry or dry suit.<\/p>\n

Gloves and hood<\/strong><\/p>\n

They help keep our head and hands warm.<\/p>\n

Tank<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are different types of tanks. Different volumes 5,8,10,12 15 and up to 18 liters. Different materials such as aluminum and steel. Different connections in their opening valves, but the function is the same in all of them which is to keep\u00a0a gaseous content at pressures high of 200 and up to 300 Bar pressure. It is usually air, at least in recreational diving. This means that we have enough autonomy to be breathing under the water minimum time 30 minutes and up to more than 1 hour.<\/p>\n

Buoyancy Control Device (BCD)<\/strong><\/p>\n

The jacket\u00a0is another key piece in scuba\u00a0diving. It will be in charge of holding the tank. Also along with the weight belt will be helping us to get an adequate buoyancy. It works\u00a0inflating and deflating by pressing buttons.<\/p>\n

Regulator<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Regulator is also a very important part of the scuba gear because it will provide us with the air we need for breathing under water and also to inflate the BCD. Moreover, usually the regulator also has a console that indicates the air left we have in the tank and the depth which we dive.<\/p>\n

Computer<\/strong><\/p>\n

The diving computer \u00a0is a very interesting instrument because it provides all the information needed to dive on a safety manner:\u00a0the maximum time that we can be under water during the dive, moreover it indicates the diving time, the depth, the temperature, the safety stops and the time of stop.<\/p>\n

Diving licenses<\/strong><\/p>\n

At OK Diving Malta we work with two associations\u00a0PADI and SSI<\/strong>. Both are recognized at the International level, and perhaps the two most extensive in terms of numbers of centers, professionals and certified divers. Being possible to dive anywhere in the world with your diver’s license.<\/p>\n

Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) o Try dive:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Discover Scuba Diving is\u00a0 the first step to try diving. \u00a0It may vary depending on the professional and the diving center that offers it, but a good try dive program should at least include the following:<\/p>\n