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| Dive Show  If you are thinking of having a go at scuba diving this year, then a visit to this year's Dive Show at the NEC on 13 and 14 October is the best place to start. In addition to over 320 exhibiting companies offering the latest dive kit, holidays, training options and dive leisurewear, there is a 'Try Dive' pool and a packed programme of free presentations from exhibitors and some of the sport's most famous names. The first question most people ask when thinking of taking up the sport is 'how good a swimmer do I need to be'. Well, surprisingly, as long as you know how to swim and are happy in the water the only other thing you need is good health. A lot of formerly poor swimmers have become quite proficient after learning to scuba dive.Breathing under water is also another major concern but, thanks to the invention of SCUBA equipment by Jacques Cousteau, all you have to do is breathe normally and the 'regulator' in your mouth supplies air at the same pressure as the water surrounding you. The fearsome reputation of the Great White Shark also features high on the list of FAQS, but in reality it is unlikely that you will see any sharks at all on your dives. Sharks are very shy and avoid contact with humans. In fact, sharks are now an endangered species with more than 100 million being killed by fishermen every year. Age and fitness also appear on the list of questions. There are people still diving who are well into their 80s, so this shows that experience counts for more than strength in scuba diving. In fact, it's a salutary experience for some macho men to find that women can be better divers, as they are more likely to think through a problem rather than fight it. Another myth is that it is dark and gloomy under water. Of course, this depends on where you are diving, but in places like the Red Sea, the Caribbean and the Great Barrier Reef, the visibility can be crystal clear even at depths as great as 40 metres (over 120 feet below the surface). write your comments about the article :: © 2007 Exhibition News :: home page |