Diving has existed for centuries; in fact, in ancient times, people held their breath to search for food sources and even decorative items. Today, most people associate diving with scuba diving (Self Contained Underwater Breathing), but mainly as a recreational sport. Thanks to technological advancements, divers in the SCUBA world are able to explore the fascinating underwater world at greater depths and at longer time intervals. These advances include the air lung, dive computers, and wetsuits. Without these advances, divers would not be able to safely explore great depths underwater. Issitt says: “Scuba diving requires certification by an instructor or approved organization. Divers must learn how to operate equipment to monitor oxygen levels, control depth and navigate underwater. (Scuba diving). Most diving instructors or organizations have been certified by PADI (Professional Association of Divining Instructors), one of the most recognized organizations in the world, as well as some of the following organizations: NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors), SSI (Scuba Schools International), NASE (National Academy of Scuba Divers), and many more. Through these agencies, one can be safely certified for Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver and finally Master Diver. Each certification declares how safe one can dive, how deep, for how long underwater and what skills are appropriate for the particular dive. “Open water diving is the most common type of scuba diving and is the type covered by basic scuba diving. certification. Open water diving is the type of diving most practiced by enthusiasts of underwater nature photography and reef diving. (Issitt, "Scuba Diving.") This certificate...... middle of paper ...... the world has a common bond and tracking. They can explore and compare their diving experiences and equipment. No two dives are the same and every diver's experience is different. No matter when a diver is certified, whether they are between 20 and 60 years old, a diver will never have the same diving experience. The vast underwater ecosystem changes daily. Scuba diving can be a recreational sport or a safe profession with the proper certification. Works Cited Issitt, Micah L. "Scuba Diving". Hobby Profile: Scuba Diving (2007): 1. Hobby and Craft Reference Center. Internet. March 31, 2014. “Deep Sea Diving.” Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th edition (2013): 1-2. Literary reference center. Internet. March 31, 2014. http://atlasobscura.com/places/great-blue-hole http://padi.com/blog/2014/01/27/jacques-cousteau-the-father-of-scuba-diving/ http ://padi.com