How To Save Money When Scuba Diving

Image source: belizeprodivecenter.com

There are a lot of great hobbies out there that are just hard to get into simply because of cost. For example, surfing is probably one of the most fun water activities. However, you’ll need to travel to a beach where there are decent waves, rent a surfboard, hire an instructor, and repeat this for several months until you can surf on your own. By that time, you’d have to purchase your own surfboard.

The same argument can be said about scuba diving. From getting your PADI license to completing your gear, it all costs so much. If you want to get into scuba diving but don’t want to empty your bank account, here are some helpful tips on saving money when scuba diving.

Live-aboard trips can save you a lot of money in terms of accommodations. You’ll spend more time in the water and be able to reach several dive destinations in one trip. Just make sure you’re fine sleeping on a boat.

Image source: liveaboard-thailand.asia

Shore diving can also save you a lot of money as you don’t require a boat for the trip. All you need is a car and a good spot to start. This is best if you’re diving with another person as going solo can be risky.

Lastly, go to Southeast Asia if you want more cost effective dives. Prices here are cheap and the locations are amazing.

Tup Ingram, M.D. attended Yale University and graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Mathematics and Physics. He is also a reconstructive and plastic surgeon, focusing his practice on reconstruction and cosmetic surgery. For more insightful reads on scuba diving, visit this blog.

Five health benefits of scuba diving

It’s not sheer enjoyment or adrenaline rush that one can get from scuba diving. Here are some leading health benefits that the sport or hobby can offer to virtually everyone.

Image source: Pixabay.com 

Increased strength and flexibility

As one moves through the water during a dive, muscles tend to work harder due to the resistant of the water as well as the current. The more one dives and swims, the more these muscles lengthen, become stronger, and develop both endurance and flexibility.

Deep breathing

As slow, deep breathing is crucial to optimize air consumption and bottom time during scuba diving, one develops a calm attitude and reduces the risk of a lung expansion injury and mucus buildup, potentially helping in conditions such as asthma.

Stress relief

Think of it as breathing during meditation: slow, deep breathing that induces a relaxed state. This, alongside the fact that the diver focuses on the underwater surroundings instead of life’s daily pressures, helps reduce stress and balances the nervous system.

Lowered blood pressure

First diving into the water might make one’s blood pressure spike temporarily and slightly due to the excitement. Once warmed up, one may find reduced heart rate and lower blood pressure. If one has high blood pressure, though, the doctor needs to be informed.

Water’s healing properties

What would it feel like to be back in the womb of one’s mother, feeling secure and immersed in well-being? Diving allows the body to calm down and, instead of fighting against the current, surrender and be one with the underwater environment.

Image source: Pixabay.com  

Tup Ingram, M.D. is a reconstructive and plastic surgeon who enjoys scuba diving, exercising, and flying in his downtime. For similar reads, click here.