Diving can be an amazing experience, but it's sensible to place safety first. Using a recognised organisation like PADI should be your first step toward getting underwater

It's possible to escape to a different world: 70 percent of our planet's surface is covered with water, however many explorers hardly scratch the surface of the amazing world below. Divers escape to a completely different zone, exploring places few others will see. They experience a weightless world, and short of joining the NASA space programme, you won't get this free from gravity any other way! Explore and experience Scuba diving frees you to explore the underwater world - from historic shipwrecks and pristine reefs to the mysteries of your local quarry.

Diving connects you with nature and immerses you in new sensations and experiences. It transforms the way you view the world. As a diver you'll meet people from as diverse a background as the environments they travel the world to see. Almost every dive presents an opportunity to share an experience with someone new. The international element runs firmly through the diving family too, as from Falmouth to the Faroe Islands, Durban to Dubai, and Poland to Papua New Guinea, local divers will take you to their secret spots and introduce you to some new aquatic friends. How to get started Learning to dive isn't difficult, but you'll need to invest a little time and effort. Compared to other adventure sports it's also relatively inexpensive. To take part you just need to be in good health and reasonably comfortable in the water.

Many people choose PADI, (Professional Association of Diving Instructors), as the PADI certification card is recognised and welcomed globally. With more than 5,300 PADI Dive Centres and Resorts in 180 countries you will be likely to find a PADI Professional who can speak your language and offer you a comfortable learning experience. Most people start with the PADI Open Water Diver course which consists of three key elements: Knowledge Development, Confined Water Dives and Open Water Dives. The course is very flexible and can be taken over evenings, weekends or over a number of days. Home study options are also available, so you can learn the theory at your own pace via DVD and manual, or you could choose PADI's eLearning option. This means you can do the theory part of your PADI Open Water Diver course online at your own convenience. If you simply want to try scuba without immediately committing to a full course, PADI's Discover Scuba Diving sessions allow you to experience breathing underwater for the first time, and to ask any questions you may have. As with many sports, there are many different certificatied organizations available.

PADI is undoubtedly the biggest, issuing around a million certifications a year (that's around one every 32 seconds!). PADI has a full list of registered Dive Centres and Resorts at www.padi.com so you can find the place to dive that's most convenient for you. Choose your gear Choosing and using your gear is part of the fun of diving. Each piece of equipment performs a different function so that collectively, it adapts you to the underwater world. At a minimum, you want your own mask, fins and snorkel when you start diving.

These have a personal fit, and your local PADI Professional will help you choose ones that have the fit and features best suited to you. How do you know what the best gear is? Easy: there is no best gear. But, there is the best gear for you. Scuba equipment comes in a wonderful variety that accommodates a broad range of needs, interests and sizes. The professionals at your local PADI Dive Centre or Resort are trained to help you find gear that best matches your preferences, fit and budget. These professionals can get you set with the right stuff, plus they provide service and support for years of enjoyable and dependable use. Continuing adventures Your underwater adventure begins in your entry-level course and grows as you explore new dive sites, use new equipment and try different types of diving, like night or wreck diving.

You can find out how to take the perfect picture of your dive with a digital underwater photography course, or learn about the importance of coral reefs on a coral reef conservation course. You can tap into more than 25 PADI specialty diver courses that allow you to focus on your areas of interest. You can progress up through PADI Rescue Diver and put your skills to use assisting other divers, or aim for the elite PADI Master Scuba Diver level - diving's ultimate non-professional level recreational scuba diver rating. Becoming a scuba diving instructor will give you the opportunity to really live the dive life.

The PADI Divemaster rating is the first step on a journey that will give you a lifestyle others only dream about! The PADI system of diver education allows you to continue your dive education for a lifetime - even after you become a PADI Instructor - a vocation that provides a fulfilment few jobs can match. Environmental responsibility Divers are often passionate about taking care of the aquatic environment. Through Project AWARE Foundation (International) - the dive industry's leading nonprofit environmental organisation - you can become involved in conservation efforts.

PADI courses encompass Project AWARE's environmental awareness and protection philosophy. You can learn the importance of protecting fragile aquatic ecosystems and join millions of others to form a growing force that can - and does - make a difference in the effort to preserve the underwater world.
Top Tips:
* Ensure the qualification you receive is recognised world-wide. Ask your diving professional.
* Always ask what's included in the price: 'cheap' is rarely, if ever, the same as 'best value'.
* Ask about eLearning or home study options to ensure you learn at a pace that is convenient and comfortable for you.
* Check your instructors' credentials, and make sure they are current - they should be happy to oblige, and if they don't you should definitely walk away.
* If you're not sure whether the credentials of your instructor or dive centre are correct, or if you're not sure what to look for, check with the certification organisation.
* Keep your skills up-to-date - attend a refresher course if necessary.

Useful information
About PADI PADI - the Professional Association of Diving Instructors - is the largest recreational scuba diver training organisation in the world. Founded in 1967, PADI now serves professional members and dive consumers in more than 180 countries around the world and has issued over 15 million diving certifications. For more information, visit www.padi.com, Email: general@padi.co.uk or call +44 (0)117 300 7234.