Scuba diving is a sport that can be enjoyed by just about anyone regardless of age. Be warned. Once you try it, you'll be addicted and spending all your vacations flying off to exotic destinations.

The term "scuba diving" comes from the expression self-contained underwater diving apparatus. The term originated during World War II to describe the rebreathing equipment used by navy frogmen. The more common system was developed by Emile Gagan and Jacques-Yves Cousteau and is more an in-line open circuit where gas, usually compressed air, is breathed from a tank and exhaled into the water. Some closed circuit rebreathing type equipment is still used, but the term scuba diving has come to describe the activity in common usage and is not restricted to the equipment.

It is possible to receive several different types of diving certifications. Children between the ages of 10 and 15 can even receive a Junior Open Water Diver certification. Children that have reached the age of 15 can qualify for the Open Water Diver certification. This is a 1st level certification that allows the holder to dive with a buddy, but without professional assistance.

Scuba diving is a rapidly growing and evolving activity. There are already several different classifications used to describe the functional role of the diver or the environment into which they dive. By far, the most common classification is the Recreational diver. These divers scuba dive merely for the enjoyment of it or have an interest in exploring the underwater world.

The technical scuba diver is involved in diving as part of his work. The training and equipment used by the technical scuba diver is much more advanced than the recreational diver. A branch of technical scuba diving is Military scuba diving. Military scuba divers are basically highly trained technical divers serving in the military. There work could include such things as the removal of underwater explosives.

Another classification that falls between technical and recreational is the cave exploring scuba diver and the cavern diver. These divers dive into caves and other underground structures for the purpose, usually, of exploring. This is considered one of the more risky of the diving classifications.

Another classification of scuba divers is the wreck explorers. These divers explore shipwrecks and perform salvage and artifact recovery operations. Regardless of the classification or purpose of scuba diving, it is a sport and profession that requires great attention to safety and adequate training. It also requires good and reliable equipment and the diver needs to understand how to use and maintain this equipment.

Aazdak Alisimo writes about scuba diving for ScubaDivingCompanies.com.