Kinds of diving

There are many types of diving you can choose to do, if you are qualified to do so. Some of course requires specialized training, while some don’t. One of the greatest things about diving is its variety, in terms of diving itself.

Cave diving

Cave diving is underwater diving in caves which are at least partially filled with water. The equipment used varies depending on the circumstances, and ranges from breath hold to surface supplied, but almost all cave diving is done using scuba equipment, often in specializedconformations. Generally speaking, cave diving is considered to be a type of technical diving due to the lack of a free surface during large parts of the dive, and often involves decompression. In the United Kingdom it is an extension of caving while in the United States, it is an extension of scuba diving. Compared to caving and scuba diving, there are comparatively few practitioners of cave diving. This is because of the specialized equipment and skill that are required, and also because of the high potential risks like sickness and drowning.

Drift diving

Drift diving is a variety of scuba diving wherein the diver is transported by the flows caused by the tide or in a river. The current gives the diver the impression of flying and enables the diver to cover extended distances underwater, possibly seeing more habitats and formations than the usual. Often drift diving is performed more for the experience of underwater adventure and less for interactions with underwater life.

Ice diving

Ice diving is a variety where the dive takes place under ice. Because diving under ice places the diver in an overhead environment typically with only a single entry/exit point, it is considered an innovative type of diving requiring special training. Ice divers are generally tied for safety, wherein the diver wears a special harness under the scuba unit. A line is secured to this harness, and the other end of the line is secured above the surface by one of a number of methods.

Night diving

Night diving is an underwater diving done during the hours of darkness. It frequently refers specifically to a diving that takes place in darkness. The diver can experience a different underwater environment at night, because many marine animals are nocturnal. There are additional hazards when diving in darkness, such as torch or flashlight failure. This can result in losing vertical visual references and being unable to control depth or buoyancy, being unable to read instruments such as dive computers and diving cylinder contents gauges, and potential separation from the rest of the diving group, boat, or shore cover. Even with a functioning torch, these hazards are still present in night diving. Backup lights are recommended here.

Snorkeling

Snorkeling (also spelled as “snorkeling”) is the practice of swimming on or through a body of water while equipped with a diving mask, a shaped tube called a snorkel, usually fins. A wetsuit may also be worn when snorkeling in cool water. Snorkeling is a popular recreational activity, particularly at tropical resorts and scuba diving locations. The primary charm is the opportunity to observe underwater life in a natural setting without the technical and complicated equipment and training that are required for other varieties in diving, specifically in scuba diving.

Technical diving

Technical diving (also called “Tec diving”) is one of the varieties of diving that exceeds the conventional limits – especially depth and bottom time – of recreational. Technical diving exposes the diver to significantly higher risks than recreational diving, including permanent illness and death, and therefore requires extensive experience, advanced training, and specialized equipment. Technical diving also often involves breathing gases other than air or standard nitrox.

Wall diving

This is done through diving along the face of a near vertical cliff wall, particularly if the bottom is below the range of the diver's equipment and certification. This requires good buoyancy control.

Wreck diving

Wreck diving is a type of recreational diving where shipwrecks are explored. Although most wreck dive sites are at shipwrecks, there is an increasing trend to scuttle retired ships to create artificial reef sites. Wreck diving can also pertain to diving to crashed aircraft.