How many kinds of diving you’ve heard about? Snorkelling, scuba diving and freediving? While they might seem similar, the practice and equipment needed are very different! Let’s find out more about these different types of diving.
Snorkelling is a recreational activity usually practiced in tropical locations. The snorkeller only needs a few basic pieces of equipment, which are the mask, snorkel and fins(or protective aquashoes). In cooler waters, you can also wear a snorkelling top. You can observe the marine environment while swimming on the water surface without heavy gears! It requires little effort and everyone from different ages can join. Find out more benefits of snorkelling below.
Scuba diving is a type of underwater diving carried out in multiple spots, the most popular in tropical locations with beautiful corals and animals. The diver uses a designated set of gears to descend to greater depths, including breathing apparatus, weights, fins and buoyancy control devices. Scuba divers could descend down to 30m, therefore it is necessary to wear a wetsuit to protect them from the cold.
Unlike snorkelling, you need a license issued by recognized institutions to go on scuba diving. In most areas, the youngest age to start scuba diving is 10 years old. Despite being more demanding and technical in nature, the rewards are great. You can stay up to an hour underwater and see different sights than on the surface, such as wrecks, underwater landscapes or larger marine animals such as sharks and whales!
Freediving is also called breath-hold diving. As its name implies, freedivers dive by holding their breath without breathing apparatus such as snorkels or scuba regulators! The sport requires little equipment, usually only a mask, fins and snorkel for when you are on the surface. However, training and license are required if you want to free dive to greater depths.
Other than recreational freediving, there is competitive freediving where athletes compete by diving deep. Current world-record holders can dive to 100m or deeper! Therefore, freediving is definitely a mental and physical challenge. But you can also have great satisfaction in recreational freediving and observe the marine environment without creating bubbles!
The three activities are special in their own ways and many people enjoy them. You can start by snorkelling, then try scuba diving or freediving after. Remember you need a buddy for all activities to ensure your safety. And for scuba diving and freediving, it is essential for you to receive professional training and get a license before practicing them. Safety is of prior importance when you are doing subaquatic activities! Do not hesitate to try out these activities and enjoy the fun exploring the ocean. Be our member, choose snorkelling and diving as your favorite sports and receive more information!