So you're ready to rake the plunge and learn to scuba dive. As you probably already know, SCUBA is an acronym that stands for Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. Now we'll outline the equipment that is necessary to safely swim underwater and see the world like a fish.

The equipment that you will wear allows you to dress "like a fish." This equipment will help you to breathe underwater, just like you do on land. It seems unreal, but it can be done. There are four basic necessities for scuba divers to have: the mask, a snorkel, a scuba unit tank and a wetsuit.

The mask helps you see clearly (unless you're in cloudy water).
Before you dive, you always need to use an anti-fog solution. The snorkel is what you use to help not waste air in your tank. The scuba unit tank has three parts to it - the tank which contains compressed air, your regulator which allows you to breathe and the buoyancy control device (BCD) which helps you hover (sink or float). Finally, a wetsuit is what you wear to hold in your body heat and protect it while you're underwater. It is important that this fits comfortably.

Remember that you won't need to purchase your own equipment right away, you can rent scuba diving equipment. When you're ready to purchase your own equipment, keep in mind that you are making an investment. You want to make sure you buy good quality equipment.

Now that you know what you'll need, where do you start? There are so many beautiful locations where you can scuba dive, it's hard to chose. Have fun and remember to take lots of underwater photographs!