If you've ever wondered what it would be like to glide effortlessly underwater,side by side with amazing sea creatures,then turn your dreams into reality and join the tens of thousands of women of all ages who have discovered the joys of scuba diving.
Claire Walter demystifies scuba diving,while filling you in on everything you need to know to get started in this most magical of recreational activities. She provides insights and answers to common concerns women have regarding scuba diving,and walks you through the entire process,from learning the basics to becoming certified. You'll find out how to:
* Check the fit and condition of rental gear to ensure a successful first dive
* Buy the right kind of gear,and how much you can expect to spend
* Find a great instructor and learn to dive safely
* Choose dream vacation diving locations,and find other women to dive with
* Learn the safe and environmentally friendly ways to view corals,dolphins,and other sea life
* Become certified to dive anywhere in the world
* Extend your training and learn to teach others or make a career from your skills Plus,you'll find personal accounts by women who share their fascinating underwater adventures,and tell you how they began to scuba,overcame their fears,met challenges,improved their skills,and made diving an irreplaceable part of their lives.
Introduction
What is diving?
Who dives?
About this book
Chapter 1: Women and Scuba Diving
A sport for (almost) all
The many faces of scuba diving
But is it exercise?
Chapter 2: Getting Started
Testing the waters
Signing up
Agencies from A (ACSU) to Y (YMCA)
What will it cost?
Shortcuts
Deep-six those fears
Reality chases misperceptions
Chapter 3: Gear Talk
Borrow, rent, or buy?
Mask
Snorkel
Buoyancy compensator
Regulator
Tank
Weights
Fins
Exposure protection
Chapter 4: Ready, Set, Learn to Dive
Tune your body for diving
Where to start
What to expect
The first test
Chapter 5: Into Open Water
The humbler
Redemption
Dive right
Buddy up
Getting hooked
The next step
Chapter 6: Diving Safely
When not to dive
What can go wrong
Emergency!
How low can you go?
Cover yourself
Chapter 7: You're Certified—Now What?
Underwater adventures
Technical diving
Water world
Taking certification to a higher level
Passing the torch
Diving for credit
Diving for dollars
(and more...)
Overview
If you've ever wondered what it would be like to glide effortlessly underwater,side by side with amazing sea creatures,then turn your dreams into reality and join the tens of thousands of women of all ages who have discovered the joys of scuba diving.
Claire Walter demystifies scuba diving,while filling you in on everything you need to know to get started in this most magical of recreational activities. She provides ...