Different types of dives for beginners

So you've been thinking about going scuba diving, but you don't know anything about scuba diving. Fear not because I’ll help you out with some great basic information on scuba diving. The first question we have to ask ourselves is; what is scuba diving. According to Websters Dictionary scuba diving is defined as one who swims underwater with the aid of scuba gear. The word scuba is actually an acronym for Self Contained underwater Breathing Apparatus. So basically if you don’t have an alien device giving you air you aren’t scuba diving.
 Now that you have a vague idea of what scuba diving is and your ready to take your first plunge, maybe we should discuss the different types of dives there are. There is snorkeling, free-dives and deep dives. Free-dives technically isn’t a form of scuba diving it is recommended to do before actually scuba diving. A free dive is any of various aquatic activities that share the practice of breath-hold under water. Free diving is great practice for breathing exercises and fin practice. Snorkeling is the practice of swimming through a body of water with the use of a snorkel. A snorkel is basically a breathing tube that goes from your mouth and sticks out of the water so you can intake air. Snorkeling is the best practice for scuba diving. You get to observe underwater life in a natural setting but because of the restrictions with the length of the tube your not going to get very deep.
 That brings us to deep dives or basically scuba diving. Scuba diving itself is composed of six types of dives. Those are: open water diving, night diving, rescue diving, cave diving, wreck and finally drift diving. Open water diving being the most basic and most common of dives types. Its called open water diving because if a problem were to arise one could reach the atmosphere with obstacle to breathe air. Unlike cave and wreck diving. Your not a scuba diver until you get your first level of certification which states that that you are certified to dive in open water (in contrast to the controlled environment of a swimming pool).
 Rescue diving is exactly what it is, rescue diving. Not anyone can just be a rescue diver, rescue diving qualifications are extremely hard to get. as a rescue diver you must learn :
Transports - including “piggyback swimming” and surface transport
Surface Rescues - including first aid while floating in open water
Depth rescues - helping and retrieving a victim from depth
Strategies for boat and shore diving emergency situations
Standard First Aid - like CPR, wound dressing, immobility techniques
Aquatic First Aid - similar to lifeguard skills
For those who want to take their diving skills to higher levels and work as a scuba instructor, dive master or guide, the rescue diving certification is recommended.
 Night dives are for those who want to see an even more variety of sea creatures. As with any habitat above or under the sea not all animals are awake during the day. some fish like to roam at night. You should definitely take a course before attempting a night dive. You should also dive during the day where you will be diving at night to get a familiarity with that area and terrain. During a night dive you should always have an light torch or flashlight. (plus a back up)
 Cave diving is nothing like open water diving. albeit the simple fact that your not in the open. Open water scuba divers are accustomed to not being completely surrounded and with the freedom to move and swim wherever they choose. Cave diving is different; you will often be following a predefined course through narrow crevasses into great "rooms".  Due to the being in a cave there is no natural light source so while cave diving you would extra scuba diving equipment. You will need an underwater torch or underwater light. Once you are past the entrance you will not be able to see without it. The darkness is absolute. The only light you will get is the light you bring with you. As part of your training, you should know how to secure the strap to your wrist or Buoyancy compensating device (BCD) to ensure that it will not be lost if it is dropped. As exhilarating as it is to be diving in a cave there are few things more frightening than being disoriented deep within a cave, with no light. Scuba divers always dive with a buddy, but in cave diving a buddy with a light can save your life if your light burns out, gets broken or is inadvertently dropped and lost.
 Wreck diving has the same concept as in cave diving with its penetrative movements, however cave diving is something totally different upon itself. Special training is needed to be a wreck diver. All enclosed underwater spaces have potential danger, but wrecks especially so, since the structures can often be brittle, imbalanced or unstable, with poor visibility.
 This brings us to drift diving. Drift diving is a great way to relax, it is also an great way to preserve your tank and stay submerged for longer periods of time. In drift diving the diver descends into water with a known current and after obtaining neutral buoyancy lets the current carry him along. When drift diving it is required that you have a boat to drop you off, but to also follow you because once you begin drifting you will be carried quickly away from your drop-off point - often much more quickly than you realize or expect. It is important to consider the direction of tidal streams as well as their strength to avoid divers being swept into dangerous areas such as shipping lanes. It is also important to plan for the danger of separation, either underwater or at the surface. Each diver should carry an appropriate signaling device and compass.
 Now that you know the basics on the types of dives and scuba dives you can get ready to strap on your scuba diving gear and scuba diving equipment. Remember scuba diving can be fun and exhilarating however it is also dangerous. When diving you should always have a buddy. Also you should check your scuba diving gear and scuba diving equipment before jumping in. Have fun.