What You Did Not Know About Scuba Diving In FloridaFlorida scuba diving is a popular activity for those who are interested not only in the activity itself but also in different scuba adventures including Florida liveboard diving, reef diving, drift driving, Florida cave diving or wreck diving. The best thing about Florida aside from the various Florida scuba sites is its pristine waters and rich underwater resources. The most popular destination for Florida scuba diving is the Key West. A scuba diving vacation in Florida will introduce you to the various dive sites including shore drives, reefs, spring dives, shipwrecks and artificial reefs. This sport though is not for the faint of heart because it is not only risky but mentally and physically challenging as well. If you are a beginner then you should get a scuba diving certification from a reputed agency. This will enable you access to the various scuba diving equipment and diving sites in Florida. Beginner or not, here are some facts that you should know about scuba diving which will spur your interest even more about Florida scuba diving. 1. Scuba as a sport and science Scuba may be known worldwide as a recreational sport but make no mistakes because scuba is also a science. As such, it requires discipline among those who engage in this activity. But while scuba is more popular as a recreational sport, the fact that it is a helpful tool used by scientists, researchers, photographers and even engineers in discovering old facts and knowledge that can lead to new discoveries. Scuba diving requires vast knowledge of the marine environment; otherwise, the thrill that one gets from the sports is lessened. 2. Scuba has been in existence since 332 BC While scuba has become popular only now, history gives evidence of the existence of the Diving Bell which was allegedly used in 332 BC by Alexander Graham Bell. The first documented self-contained underwater breathing apparatus or SCUBA was the one designed by Leonardo da Vinci in the 1500s. The decompression sickness which is one of the possible medical injuries that might arise from scuba diving has been observed as early as 1667 by Robert Boyle when he experimented on the process of compression and decompression using snakes. 3. Diving helmets The first breathing apparatus for scuba diving was then known as a diving helmet courtesy of Charles Anthony Deane, an English inventor. The said contraption was patented in 1823, but was modified by Deane and his brother so that the helmet is already attached to the diving suit. While it had some problems, the helmet was used by the early divers for salvage work. A more practical gadget was invented in 1825 by William James. A tragic note in history is the drowning of Charles Condert (who also invented a similar contraption) in Brooklyn during the gadget's test drive. 4. The Bends The term originated in 1869 when workers, who were constructing the Brooklyn Bridge, experienced cramps and painful joints after being sealed for hours in capsules (also known as caissons) that were sunken in the riverbed. While the illness was called caisson disease, the worker's bent appearance was responsible for the condition being called "bends". 5. Tanks The registration of tanks that carried compressed air in 1926 slightly modernized the diving system. Yves le Prieur of the French Navy did not only get the patent for this gadget but he also established the "Club of Divers and Underwater Life" in 1936, the first SCUBA diving club. While the most modern scuba diving equipment like tanks, fins, snorkels and facemasks are now available worldwide and can be easily purchased by certified scuba divers, any scuba diver will get the chills knowing that at one time in history, his fellow scuba divers did the same things he does now at a much greater risk for lack of protective equipment. Scuba diving in the Florida keys is extremely popular and everybody should try it at least once. Saying that, Florida keys scuba diving may not be for everyone as some people like to only exist within their comfort zone. Scuba diving in Florida keys will challenge you and push you. So if you are not into being challenged, Scuba diving may not be the best sport for you. |