Some of the nicest boat dives on the island start in the picturesque harbour of Las Galletas, in the south of Tenerife. Due to its location, the village is very sunny and warm all year long. Most of the boats of the port serve to arrange different water sport activities. For divers it´s a special […]
Tenerife’s water is home to many marine species. Their secrets are well kept and we always try to understand them better through science and diving. One of the surprising animals that live in the Canary Islands is the octopus which is really special for several reasons you don’t even imagine! Did you know that… […]
Most of the times the problems encountered during a dive come from a lack of preparation before the entrance into the water: bad planning, equipment not checked, lack of communication, stress can lead to a problem during the dive. It is easy to prevent that by being precautious before getting into the water. Here are some pieces of advice how to be well prepared before the dive that will allow you to benefit fully from your time underwater. 1. Have your equipment checked and adjusted before the dive. Don´t wait till you enter the water and […]
We, divers, never stop being amazed by the underwater world and we always feel excited when we discover a new dive site or a new kind of scuba diving. When night diving, you get the opportunity to observe the aquatic world in the dark, which is a totally different adventure guaranteeing to all divers unforgettable […]
Many visitors of the Canary Islands come to admire one of the famous inhabitants of this archipelago: the sea turtles. These are beautiful animals that are the joy of those lucky enough to meet them. Here are 5 facts that will surprise you about them: Sea turtles have lived with the dinosaurs! Scientists have […]
It´s essential to respect the ocean and its inhabitants when diving. Here are 7 things you should avoid to do in order to have no impact when you dive. As divers, we are guests of the ocean and we should always be environmentally friendly. It is really important to avoid hurting or stressing the aquatic […]
Although Tenerife is a volcanic island and it does not have colourful coral reefs as those located in the Caribbean, Indian Ocean or Australian coasts, we can nevertheless find a very interesting kind of coral here: the black coral. Unlike corals that live within a few meters from the surface, the black corals do not use photosynthesis; they can thus grow in dark deep waters. They inhabit depths from 20 to 1000 meters and are one of the few corals you can see in the Canary Islands. These corals are composed of a substance […]
Very special landscapes of the Canary Islands have given a great opportunity for movie makers as they provide them with a great natural background for their production. That is why some Hollywood films have been shot there. Here are some famous movies that where filmed on the islands: Moby Dick (1956) As you see, it […]
Surely, you have already lived a situation in which you had to finish an amazing dive because your computer tells you that you are reaching your nitrogen limit. Then you feel like you wanted more, but you are not allowed to stay underwater as long as you wish! Did you know that with proper training […]
What is a BCD and why is it so important? All divers need to use a BCD to get wet! BCD stands for Buoyancy Control Device and it can also be called «jacket» and as its name suggests, it allows us to control our buoyancy while diving. But a BCD has many other purposes […]
Why do people like to go deep? Lots of divers look for strong underwater sensations. They specialize in cave diving, they penetrate wrecks, they dive under the ice, they drive underwater scooters, they drift along wonderful walls etc. There are many opportunities to get the excitement of going to the limits. One of them is […]
Diving is an activity that offers many interactions with our buddies and with the environment as well. We dive to discover the aquatic fauna and flora and we often wonder what animal we are observing. It is possible to interact better with the underwater world by studying the animals and their ecosystems. After a […]
Los Cristianos is a coastal city located in the South of the island of Tenerife. Its climate and strategic position have contributed to its evolution as a touristic area on the island. Why has this place become so successful? The unique history of Los Cristianos: Everything started in the 19th century when this area was […]
As in every activity, the evolution of technology gives us opportunities to enjoy new experiences. In recreational diving a really cool thing to try is diving with DPV, also called underwater scooter. Thrilling sensations are guaranteed! What is a DPV and why is it so enjoyable to dive with it? The Diver Propulsion Vehicle […]
Abades is a small town on the east coast of Tenerife. It is strewed by picturesque white houses and the atmosphere is very relaxed. There is a small square where the inhabitants meet in the various bars, shops and restaurants, all with amazing seaviews. You can also observe an abandoned church and a lighthouse standing […]
The most popular sauces in the Canaries are mojos. It’s served in any restaurant to almost any dish. The best mojo sauces you can try in typical Canarian restaurants – also called «guachinches». The two sauces mojo rojo (red) and mojo verde (green) are the integral part of the Canarian cuisine. Let’s start with the […]
Scuba courses provide us with the basic knowledge and skills to be able to explore the underwater realm in a safely and in a comfortable manner. Many levels of certification and training in SCUBA diving are available, but there are many similarities in how these lessons are conducted.
Major SCUBA diving organizations, including PADI, SSI, BSAC, Dive Atlantis and NAUI provide quality SCUBA courses. You will find links to some of these at the end of the article.
Diving Theory
Understanding the basic theory behind SCUBA diving is important, especially to the beginner. There is a wealth of information available for solitary study of SCUBA theory, and this represents a large part of the available course material. Usually these self study materials consist of pamphlets, books, and DVDs. After you study, your course instructor will review the course material with you, and administer a quiz. Completion of this marks preparedness for the next step.
With the ever increasing availability of the internet, another route would be to purchase online courses. This can save time and money, as you have access to both the information, and the followup quiz, but it lacks the support of face to face discussion with your instructor. It is still a viable option for many people, however.
Confined Water Training
Studying books and online materials can only take you so far. Next, you need to put your newly learned techniques and knowledge to use, and get in the water. Confined water training lessons are administered in a shallow, clear visibility environment with easy dive conditions, and under the direct supervision of a qualified dive instructor. Swimming pools or similar structures are typical environments for this kind of instruction.
There are two parts to this section of SCUBA lessons, divided between shallow and deep confined conditions. In shallow confined water lessons you will learn basic open water skills, including the use of your respirator, clearing mask and instruction in “out of air” emergency procedures. Deep confined water conditions are typically too deep to stand in, but shallow enough so you will be able to swim up to the surface comfortably. A depth of 10 feet (between 3 and 4 meters) is typical. In deep confined water lessons you will learn more interesting skills concerning buoyancy, moving and swimming underwater, and more emergency procedures. Open Water SCUBA Lessons
The next, and last step is to put your skills to use in an open water environment. These will start in shallow areas for practicing, with depth and conditions of increasing difficulty to coincide with your increasing comfort level. Completion of these lessons, along with your final written exam will allow you to earn certification. Diving certification is generally recognized and accepted between the major dive organization.