ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Recreational diver training

When you want to swim like a fish and explore the underwater world just for fun, you can become a recreational diver. But before you can do that, you need some special training to make sure you're safe and prepared.

First, you'll learn to use special equipment like a diving mask, fins, and a tank of air. You'll practice clearing water from your mask and regulator (that's the part of the equipment you breathe through). You'll also learn how to control your buoyancy and move gracefully in the water.

Next, you'll need to learn some safety skills. You'll practice sharing air with a partner, in case one of you runs out. You'll learn how to plan your dive and how to avoid getting hurt or lost. You'll also learn what to do if something goes wrong, like losing your equipment or getting too deep.

Finally, you'll get to go on dives with your instructor and other divers. You'll explore underwater ecosystems and see amazing creatures, like fish, turtles, and coral. You'll get to hover weightlessly above the sea floor and feel like you're flying.

The most important thing you'll learn as a recreational diver is to respect the ocean and its inhabitants. You'll learn to be a responsible diver and leave everything as you found it, so that others can enjoy the beauty of the underwater world for years to come.