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1
You need to be a good swimmer to scuba dive.
False: In fact, many divers are not good swimmers. Scuba equipment and the gravity-less nature of being underwater, make moving through the water less strenuous.
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2
Scuba divers are prone to shark attacks.
False: Most animals are afraid of things they don’t understand. The bubbles created by scuba equipment keep most underwater animals away—including sharks. In 2006, 31 dog attacks resulted in death, whereas only 4 shark attacks resulted in fatalities – none of whom were scuba divers. I was diving with sand Tiger sharks off the Carolina Coast and Black Tips off the Bahamas. They were not interested in me at all and they were amazing animals to watch. I have had over two dozen dives with them.
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3
Scuba diving is a male-dominated sport.
False: Today, 50% of all new divers are female. Scuba diving appeals to a diverse group of people -- regardless of age, gender or physical ability. I have trained several families that learned scuba diving as away of spending meaningful time together. Usually the "scuba mom" does all the research and leg work to plan an awesome scuba vacation that the whole family will love.
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4
Scuba diving is a dangerous sport.
False: Individuals engaged in recreational scuba diving (U.S. & Canada combined) had only 88 fatalities compared with 700 from boating, 3,200 from swimming, 33,100 from home injury and 44,800 from motor vehicles in 2004.
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5
Scuba diving is an adult-only sport.
False: Sport diving imposes no legal limits on age, but most diver training organizations require candidates to be 15 years old for full certification. Of course, there is always the exception to the rule, and many 11, 12 and 13-year olds who are physically and mentally capable of handling the heavy equipment and the training can be taught to dive. My daughter was 10 years old when I taught her to dive. She saw me go diving every weekend and was begging to try it. Kids make the best students since when they want something they listen. Diving has brought a sense of responsibility to my daughter that wasn't there before she put on a tank and given us a bond as dive buddies that only a diver can understand.
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6
In the Northeast, scuba diving is a “summer-time only” sport.
False: Special diving equipment, such as “dry suits” enable enthusiasts to dive regardless of water temperature – and stay warm in the process. In addition, in the in the fall and winter, the Gulf Stream warms Northeastern coastal waters making visibility clear and very appealing. Summer beach pollution is also not an issue during these seasons.
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7
If you care about the environment you should not scuba dive.
False: The more you are aware of the underwater environment the more you can appreciate it. Seasoned divers often take up underwater photography as a way to greater appreciate nature’s underwater beauty. Experienced divers also understand that touching the reef is not safe or good for reef life and take a “hands-off” approach.
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8
If you are claustrophobic scuba diving is not for you.
False: Some who are claustrophobic can still enjoy scuba diving. Others dive to overcome their phobia. One of my students years ago suffered from claustrophobia. After her first time in the pool, she had a panic attack. She came to me in the shop and said she didn’t want her money back, but she just wanted to quit. I asked her to come back next week and try it just one more time with me because I would show her just how much freedom she could experience underwater once she got over her initial fear. She hesitantly agreed. She now is one of the best instructors I know. She quit her job in the New York area and moved to the Florida Keys and tells this story to all her students.
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9
I need to spend a lot of money on scuba equipment.
False: LeisurePro recommends starting off slowly and, during training, only buying the (personal or basic) essentials, such as mask, fins and snorkel. Combined, these can cost less than $100. In addition, online scuba stores offer deep discounts to make the sport more appealing to the masses.
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10
Scuba diving is not a sport.
False:Scuba Diving requires training, specialized equipment, a uniform (Wetsuit), concentration, skill, teamwork working with your dive “buddy”, knowledge and practice.
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