First Diving Experience｜Experience diving basic guide that even beginners can enjoy

Enjoy the world of the sea Diving (scuba diving) .
Isn't there a lot of people who want to experience it once in a resort area?

However, even if you want to challenge yourself, There are many things that inexperienced divers do not understand is.

Therefore, Things to know and things to be aware of when starting diving , recommended for beginners Experience diving " How to choose a tour and so on.

How to enjoy diving for the first time: Different types and what you need

For diving (scuba diving) It is common to take tours such as diving shops and diving schools is.

Diving tours are roughly divided into " Experience diving "" Licensed tour "" Fan diving There are three tours.

Diving beginners can participate Either "experience diving" or "licensing tour" is.

Experience diving

Experience diving teeth, An experience tour that even beginners who do not have a license can easily participate in .
After receiving a lecture on the necessary guidance and equipment to enjoy diving safely, dive into the sea with the instructor, A tour that you can enjoy while being taught diving is.

How to use equipment, how to breathe, how to remove ears, etc. You can learn from the very basics So it's safe even if it's your first time.

as a side note, The maximum depth that can be dived in experience diving is 12m .
however, Beginners usually dive to a depth of about 5-8m is.

If you are a local shop that is familiar with the sea, You will be guided to a safe spot with lots of fish many things, You can fully enjoy the beautiful sea world even with experience diving .

At what age can you participate in trial diving? Can children participate?

Experience diving teeth Most tours have an upper age limit of 60 or 65 years old but below Any healthy adult can participate is.

Many tours allow children to participate from the age of 10 However, in calm and shallow waters, children from 8 years old can participate, and depending on the location, 15 years old may participate.

The time required depends on the tour, Most of them are about two and a half hours to half a day is.
Prices Many tours range from a few thousand yen to around 10,000 yen It is attractive that you can easily participate.

License acquisition tour (C card acquisition)

Licensed tour teeth, A tour where you can get a diving license called "C card" is.

The C card issued as a diving license is Abbreviation for Certification Card means "certificate".
not national qualifications Issued by about 40 private organizations around the world doing.

Even if you don't have a diving license, Experience diving ' is possible, but Diving license required for more complex terrain and deeper dives is.

When you get a C card, In general, you can dive to a depth of 18m and rent or purchase equipment as a license holder Nearby, you can enjoy full-fledged diving at a deeper point " Fan diving will be able to participate in

If you can get a C card of a major group, Diving is possible at various spots in Japan as well as overseas will be
There are more spots where you can dive, so if you want to discover more charms of the sea, please try to get a diving license.

Unlike experience diving that you can participate in on a day trip, Most license acquisition tours are carried out over several days .
There are academic courses, pool courses, and marine training, and by combining them with advance e-learning and home study, 1 and a half days at the shortest There is also a plan for 3 to 4 days is common .

The course fee varies depending on the plan content, such as whether accommodation and teaching materials are included. About 50,000 yen to 100,000 yen is the market price is.

Fan diving

Fan diving What is Diving tours for license holders is.

For fun diving as mentioned above Diving license (C card or higher) must have obtained
Anyone who clears the target age and has a C card can participate.

Beginners, intermediates, as well as advanced divers, it is dangerous to dive in unfamiliar seas or new lands. It is common to participate in fun diving tours and enjoy diving is.

What do I need to dive?

When you hear diving, you tend to think that you need a lot of preparation such as equipment, Everything you need can be rented at most tour shops .

to prepare by yourself Swimsuits, towels, beach sandals, drinks, rash guards if necessary (Clothes with UV protection that are worn over swimwear, etc.) .
depending on the tour Some places provide everything except swimwear I have.

When you apply for a tour, there will always be a description of what you need to rent and what to prepare, so be sure to check it.

Aren't you afraid of scuba diving? Okay even for beginners?

diving tour Then, I will dive into the sea with the support of a professional diver, Even beginners can participate with peace of mind is.
again, Fan diving also basically A buddy system in which pairs of two people check each other's safety You will not be alone because you will dive in this system.

However, to be safe, Be careful to listen to the instructor carefully and follow the rules from the explanation of precautions to the practical training in the sea will do.

If you are not familiar with the sea, check the tour schedule carefully, It is also recommended to choose a tour with a relaxed schedule is.

Also, if you are worried about participating due to chronic illness, It is safe to consult with the hospital or shop in advance is.

People who should forgo participation

There are many cases where you can participate with peace of mind even for the first time Experience diving but, People who can't get rid of anxiety, people who are worried about extreme claustrophobia or panic should avoid it I guess.

Other, Persons with a history of circulatory, respiratory, ear, nose and throat disease, or hypertension Please refrain from diving or consult a doctor before participating.

If you have a chronic disease, Many tours require submission of a medical certificate So check carefully when applying will do.
again Pregnant women cannot dive .

In addition, there are cases where people panic over small things, such as "I coughed underwater and drank seawater," or "I can't get the water out of the mask."
In such a case, First of all calm down matter.
In the case of experience diving, there are many experiences in relatively shallow water, so follow the instructor's instructions and surface safely.

To prevent unexpected accidents and panic, Be in good physical condition on the day .
If you feel even slightly unwell and uneasy, refrain from participating.

The snorkeling tour, which can be enjoyed more casually than diving, is also recommended.

Recommended for those who are interested in diving but still do not have the courage, Snorkeling tour .
Perfect for those who are new to sea activities and those who are not good at swimming experience.

Using 3 points of mask, fins (flippers) and snorkel, You can observe the state of the water from the surface while breathing, children under 10 years old But you can participate by riding a float or using box glasses So you can enjoy it as a family.

Even those who are not good at swimming are always Hands-on support from an instructor please, It is safe because you can raise your face immediately from the surface of the water is.

If it is a famous snorkeling point with many fish and coral reefs, You can fully enjoy the underwater world even in shallow water. .

General flow of experience diving

There are some differences between tours and shops, The general flow of the experience diving tour is as follows is.

On a diving tour, instead of suddenly going to the sea, we gather at a diving shop. Transfer to the sea by car Tours are common.
After gathering at the shop, Fill out an application or consent form I will again, Medical history and health checks , Explanation of tour schedule and experience diving received and changed to a wetsuit change clothes and so on.
In the case of on-site gathering, a series of work will be performed on-site.

actually use Equipment description received and together with the instructor practice how to use To do.

After finishing the lecture on the equipment, you can use it in shallow water or while holding onto a boat ladder. breathing exercises I will
Also, in order to get used to the water without using an air tank at first by the tour snorkeling I sometimes give lectures at

Carry your diving equipment on your back and enter the sea with an instructor. If you get used to it, you can dive to about 5m.

After diving, return to the shop, shower, change clothes, pay, etc. and disband. (There is also a case of local dissolution)

How to choose a tour (shop) that suits you for the first time

As mentioned above, inexperienced divers participate in diving either on a tour for the purpose of obtaining a license or on an experiential diving tour to simply enjoy the world of the sea.

If you are completely new to diving, first Experience diving It is recommended to try what diving itself is like is.

In the experience diving, Take a lecture on land, get used to the water on the surface, and dive with an instructor The flow itself is basically the same for any tour, Not only the location and the marine life you can see, but also the timing, schedule, and options vary widely. there is.

price

price range Around 3,000 to 20,000 yen . Most tours range from around 4,000 yen to around 10,000 yen. , even with higher pricing Activities and sets other than diving Enjoy at Option setting that allows you to dive twice with a break in between There is also a plan with

Rental fees for equipment and wetsuits may be charged separately, so be sure to check the plan details carefully.

Schedule & Tour contents

The time required for experience diving depends on the travel time from the shop to the diving spot and the time to walk from the beach into the sea. beach entry ・ Take a boat and head to the point boat entry etc., but it also depends on About 2 to 3 hours tours are common is.

In these cases, it is only one experience diving, Diving time is about 30-40 minutes is.
Because you can enjoy the underwater world in a short time, Recommended for those who want to do sightseeing and want to use their time effectively .

4 hours tour To become and, Actual diving time is about 50 minutes. Since it is often taken Recommended for those who say "30 minutes is not enough" or "I want to enjoy the world of the sea slowly". .

Some tours last as long as one day.
In that case, 2 dives with a break in between can you snorkeling or Canoe/Kayak , SUP Such, Tour content that incorporates activities other than diving has become
in the water or on the sea Perfect for those who want to play to their heart's content is.

What do you want to do on the tour?

Diving is Sea creatures and underwater scenery that you can meet depending on the place and tour are different .
What kind of sea view you want to enjoy is also a big point in choosing a tour is.

Take a look at some tours Sea turtles, manta rays and clownfish want to see coral reef Popular diving spots to see Blue Grotto It should be clear that you want to see the mysterious scenery in the tour, so check out the tour that interests you.

Some tours have shop-specific services

For half-day to full-day tours with meals may be Shop original handmade lunch and BBQ A tour where you can enjoy There is also

Also, the staff Underwater photography or Many tours lend underwater cameras So I want to leave the appearance of playing in the water! Let's check if the person is included in the tour.

In Activity Japan, you can also narrow down your search such as a plan with meals and a plan with photography.

Shop equipment

In diving, it is common to gather at a shop and head to the diving point by car.
In most of the cases The shop is fully equipped with changing rooms, hot showers, toilets, etc. available before and after the tour.

however, Some tours may not be able to use those facilities due to local gathering I have.

If you want to go sightseeing after diving and want to dress properly, or if you are worried about not having a proper toilet, Points to check if you can use the shop facilities is.

Also, when choosing a tour, in addition to the above points, children age of children allowed , if you have a chronic disease Whether your current health condition allows you to participate Be sure to check in advance.

Recommended diving spots and plans

Diving can be done in various places all over the country, Popular Okinawa and Kanto Introducing nearby points and recommended plans To do.

Okinawa main island/remote islands

Speaking of popular spots for diving, the warm climate and beautiful sea are the most attractive. Okinawa

Experience diving However, you can observe colorful coral reefs, sea turtles and tropical fish, and at most points Participation is possible all year round is.

especially main island easily accessible from Kerama Islands and Onna Village's " Blue Grotto ", Okinawa remote island of Ishigaki Island ・ Miyakojima Many divers visit.

Naha in the sea about 40 km west of Consists of about 20 large and small islands Kerama Islands teeth, A point known for encountering sea turtles and the highly transparent sea called Kerama Blue is.

Okinawa main island Onna Village in Blue Grotto , Sunlight reflected on the sea surface in the cave A mysterious appearance shining in blue can be seen.
The most popular diving spot in Japan on the main island of Okinawa is.

Ishigaki Island teeth Manta sanctuary known for its rare coral reefs and mangrove forests There is diving as well Kayak Other activities are also popular.

Miyakojima teeth Miyako blue Underwater landscapes such as emerald blue seas, coral reefs and cave arches known as attracts many divers.

Kanto Suburbs

Kanto In the suburbs, it is relatively easy to visit from Tokyo Izu Islands is popular.
It is characterized by high transparency and being able to dive in the warm current of the Kuroshio. is.

Other, Shizuoka Mt. Izu, Usami, Ito on the Izu Peninsula, Kanagawa Manazuru and Miura in Tokyo, Ogasawara Islands etc., Diving spots where you can visit more easily is.

Let's enjoy the world of the sea with the first experience diving

There are many things that inexperienced people do not understand and are worried about scuba diving .

but Experience diving If so, you can actually participate from the lecture with the instructor with peace of mind, have few belongings, and take about 3 hours. Surprisingly easy activities to experience is.

If you are interested, please check out the tour and take a peek into the extraordinary and beautiful underwater world.

*The information in this article is current as of February 2023.

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