All information and data contained in this book has been prepared by the author to the best of his knowledge and has been carefully checked by him and by the publisher. However, we can not assume any liability or liability for the correctness, completeness and actuality of the information provided.
Bathing, snorkeling, diving and technical diving can involve dangers that can be minimized through constant training and expert training at licensed diving schools and clubs. Publisher and author strongly recommend to dive only within the boundaries of your own experience and daily form. Publisher and author assume no liability for accidents or deaths that may or may have been caused by information contained in this book.
Bibliographic information of the German national bibliography
The German national bibliography records this publication in the German national bibliography; detailed bibliographic data is available on the Internet at http://dnb.dnb.de.
English PDF-Edition 2016 ISBN 978-3-89594-938-8
English epub Edition 2016 ISBN 978-3-89594-937-1
English Print Edition 2016 ISBN 978-3-89594-936-4
© Verlag Stephanie Naglschmid, Stuttgart
Editor: Dr. Friedrich Naglschmid
Text and illustrations: Stephanie Naglschmid
Set and layout: Stephanie Naglschmid / ILVA
All rights, in particular the right of reproduction, distribution and translation are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopy, microfilm or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher. It is also not permitted without the written permission of the publishing house to scan, translate, copy, modify, or manipulate images of this book, or to manipulate them individually or together with other image templates.
Verlag Stephanie Naglschmid
Senefelderstr. 10
70178 Stuttgart
Tel: 0711 626878
Email: vertrieb@naglschmid.de
www.naglschmid.de
Preface
Chapter 1
How to start?
Where do you have to go?
What do you need?
Mask
Fins
Snorkel
Snorkeling
Equalizing pressure
Mammalian diving reflex
Descend and equalize pressure
Descend and ascend
Fin swimming techniques
Clearing the mask
Debriefing
Optics
Underwater vision
Underwater hearing
Pressure and body air spaces
Dangers
Chapter 2
What gear do you need?
SCUBA
First breathing exercises
The diving suit
BCD and weight belt
Fit up your SCUBA
Putting on the SCUBA
Chapter 3
Diving practice
The first dive
The right amount of lead
Descending
Balancing your buoyancy
Diving posture
Sharing the air
Explore, observe and enjoy
Ascending
Maintain your equipment
Chapter 4
The science of diving
Physics of diving
Pressure and volume
What does air consist of?
Solution ratio of gases
Decompression sickness
Decompression tables
Profile of a dive
Additional equipment
Chapter 5
Boat diving
Diving buoy
Diving flag
Entry from the boat
Anchor rope - meeting point
Indicating the diving direction
Light under water
Wrecks
Dangerous animals
End of dive
Entry into the boat
Medical aspects
Sunprotection
Recreation
First aid
Getting your certificate
Chapter 6
Diving and what else belongs to
Scuba signs
Diver`s log
Dangerous sea creatures
Checklist and diving bag
Diver’s Code
FAQs
Secondary education
Special certificates
Adresses und links
Index of keywords
If you are fascinated by the underwater realm, by dolphins, whales, fishes and coral reefs, perhaps the inhabitants of your local waters, or simply nothing less than the uncharted depths and secrets of the ocean … well, then scuba diving will suit you perfectly! Diving is a nature sport which can be learned at almost any age and gives you the opportunity to roam completely freely in your environment. Diving allows you to enjoy almost complete detachment and gain new perspectives from the world below – something otherwise only experienced by pilots and astronauts. And the step to make this dream a reality is not as difficult as you may think.
Many years ago, when I looked for the first time into the educational aspect of diving, I was sobered by all the technical and theoretical knowledge, as well as the physical aspect of the training and my own (pretty poor) condition. It seemed unattainable, something clearly made only for silver screen heroes.
I jumped into the adventure with sometimes shaking knees but I soon realized that it was not actually that complicated if you threw in a little bit of common sense. My excitement for the underwater world grew with every fluke swing and as a passionate painter, I captured many of my impressions in paintings and drawings.
Like they say “Why make it difficult if it is simple?“. This book is my small contribution to bring you closer to diving and to ease the way a little. Together with the diving amateurs, Tim and Jenny, we‘ll go through the basics step by step, illustrated and with easy-to- understand texts.
We’ll take a look at what awaits you, independent of any diving organization. Think of it and use it as a companion book for your training.
In every case, you should start your training with a worldwide acknowledged organization which provides you with a good and solid education, including highly qualified diving instructors. You‘ll find an introduction to the top-ranking organizations in the appendix to this book.
I hope you succeed!
Truly yours
Stephanie Naglschmid
With all that said, I must give many thanks to the always caring and cautious diving instructors of my diving club ‚SGS Ostfildern‘, of which I have been a fond member for over 25 years and where I was trained myself. Thanks to my family, for the support in the making of this book with patience and motivation and to Werner Scheyer, a long-time friend of the family and a famous diving technician and instructor, who carefully looked over the text. I also want to thank Dr. Uwe Hoffmann of the Cologne Sports Academy for the scientific verification of techniques and practices and Sabine Kaiser, instructor at i.a.c. for her suggestions.
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How to start and where to go |
-Diving!
-Where do you have to go?
-What do you need?
-Snorkeling
… one may dream of the richly colored animal kingdom or the sightings of big and small fish. Another may want to explore wrecks and find historical treasures. No matter what reasons drive you to jump into the underwater realm, today it is easier than ever.
Let‘s start …
The best place to go to is a diving base or school close to you or you can join a diving club with youth membership. Diving schools and clubs usually offer additional possibilities to go diving off-season, and you can find people with similar interests for diving in your region. You‘ll find the main addresses in the appendix.
During vacation, you can visit the training courses given by a local diving school to receive diving instruction. They will teach you the important theoretical and practical basics and will deal with common needs and wishes.
It is very important that you‘re healthy. This means you will need a quick medical checkup. Also, you shouldn‘t dive with a cold, a temperature, or allergies, or generally if you feel sick or unwell because diving has a lot to do with your breathing organs. But more about that later.
If you have any doubts whether you are allowed to dive, ask a doctor without hesitation. Generally, parents must give their permission before adolescents are permitted to start scuba training.
