| Star Trek referred to space as "the final | | | | |
| frontier", however, the President's Panel on | | | | Some people visit their local scuba dive |
| Ocean Exploration estimates that 95% of the | | | | shop, while others prefer to spend vacation |
| ocean floor is unexplored. | | | | time learning something new. While it may |
| | | | seem like an expensive hobby at first, most |
| You can learn to scuba dive as a fun addition | | | | divers say that it's comparable to ski resort |
| to any vacation, or as a lifetime hobby for | | | | and golf course prices. |
| your adventurous spirit. You've probably seen | | | | |
| plenty of colorful fish or brushes with | | | | Why would one want to learn to scuba dive, |
| sharks on the Discovery Channel, but why not | | | | you ask? Aside from it being a mind-blowing |
| take the leap and see for yourself? | | | | vacation addition and rewarding hobby, there |
| | | | are career and practical reasons too. |
| Did you know that for as little as $350 and | | | | |
| in as little as three days, you can get your | | | | Commercial divers build boats and docks, |
| scuba diving certification? If you love the | | | | excavate ancient ruins and shipwrecks, survey |
| water, have an interest in biology and a | | | | tectonic plates and underwater volcanoes, |
| never-ceasing curiosity, then scuba diving | | | | construct pipelines and dams, or repair |
| could be a rewarding hobby, providing you | | | | bridges and submarines. |
| with the kind of peace that can only be found | | | | |
| at the bottom of the ocean! | | | | Scientists dive all the time to study marine |
| | | | biology, underwater species and habitats and |
| You can learn to scuba dive in just a few | | | | archaeological finds. Additionally, combatant |
| hours, but if you want to be swimming ancient | | | | divers have completed military assignments |
| ruins in Egypt's Red Sea or investigating | | | | underwater for centuries. |
| Australia's Great Barrier Reef, you will need | | | | |
| diver certification. | | | | Whether you plan to scuba dive just once or |
| | | | you would like to learn to scuba dive as a |
| There are a number of valid certification | | | | rewarding, long-term hobby, it's something |
| agencies out there (such as PADI, SSI and | | | | definitely worth looking into. |
| NADI) that all pretty much provide the same | | | | |
| service for $350 to $450. You will experience | | | | It has been estimated by the President's |
| a combination of classroom, pool and open | | | | Panel on Ocean Exploration that approximately |
| water instruction, while learning not only | | | | 95% of the ocean floor remains unexplored. |
| about swimming and breathing techniques, but | | | | Wouldn't you love to boldly go where no man |
| also about equipment and first aid | | | | has gone before? |
| information. | | | | |