General Scuba Diving Questions
Will my ears hurt (like they do when I dive down to the bottom of a pool) when I go scuba diving?
The pain you felt in your ears when diving to the bottom of the pool was caused by the surrounding water pressure compressing your middle ear. Learning how to relieve this pain in your ear, using a technique called the Valsalva maneuver, is one of the first things you’ll learn when diving…and it’s super easy!
Is there any concerns about females scuba diving?
Women are just as capable of diving and having a great time as compared with men. Many scuba retailers have even introduced female-friendly equipment that is designed specifically for the uniqueness of a woman’s body. Speaking as an experienced lady diver, I have never been prevented from scuba diving due to my gender.
However, women who are pregnant should not dive. Divers Alert Network (DAN) has done significant research on this topic as well as other specific female health issues. To learn more, please visit: http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/medical/articles/article.asp?articleid=9
I am scared of sharks. Will there be sharks where we’re diving?
There are sharks in the waters around Okinawa; however, sighting a shark is quiet rare. Furthmore, sharks attacks are even more so. The last fatal shark attack in Okinawa happened in 2000 on Miyako Island. Even with my extensive diving on Okinawa, I have only once come across a pair of sharks and as soon as they realized my dive buddy and I were in the area, they turned tail and swam away.
Still nervous? Consider this: your family dog is more likely to maul you to death than for you to be attacked by a shark. In 2010, there were 7 million dog bite victims in the United States and 34 deaths due to dog attacks. Comparatively, there were only 79 shark attacks worldwide in 2010 and only 6 of those were fatal. Sorry I had to bring Fido into this discussion but I thought it might help put things into perspective.
Can I scuba dive if I am physically handicapped?
Many people who are physically impaired are able to scuba dive. Additionally, several organizations have been formed to assist and promote scuba diving/therapy among the physically handicapped.
Included among these organizations are:
[small_button link=”http://diveheart.org/”]Diveheart[/small_button]
[small_button link=”http://www.hsascuba.com/”]Handicapped Scuba Association[/small_button]
[small_button link=”http://sudsdiving.org/”]Soliders Undertaking Disabled Scuba (SUDS)[/small_button]
Check out this video about SUDS for some inspiration:
Of course it’s also important to consult with your physician before beginning to take scuba lessons. With their approval, you can become a certified diver as long as your able to perform the skills required for certification.