Hot water suit<\/strong> – Heated undergarment that protects you in frigid deep water temperatures.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\nSo in a nutshell, scuba gear is relatively simple and widely available. Deep sea diving requires highly specialized equipment tailored for extreme depths.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/span>3. Difference in Training and Certification Requirements<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nScuba diving and deep sea diving also have very different training demands.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Scuba Certification<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n
\n- <\/i> Basic open water scuba certification can be obtained by most people in 3-4 days of training. This allows you to dive to 60 feet (18 meters).<\/li>\n
- <\/i> Additional adventure dive certifications allow you to gradually increase depth – usually to a maximum of 130 feet (40 meters) for recreational diving.<\/li>\n
- <\/i> Training covers scuba equipment, safety protocols, navigating underwater, managing buoyancy, and more.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
<\/span>Deep Sea Diving Certification<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n
\n- <\/i> Extensive training over several months is needed for commercial and military deep sea diving.<\/li>\n
- <\/i> Starts with several weeks of physics, physiology, gas laws, and decompression theory classroom work.<\/li>\n
- <\/i> Followed by months of practical training for deep diving skills, emergency protocols, equipment handling, and fitness conditioning.<\/li>\n
- <\/i> Certifications for deeper technical diving beyond 130 feet (trimix, heliox, rebreathers) also require advanced courses and many logged dives.<\/li>\n
- <\/i> Commercial divers need regular re-certification of their professional skills.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
The takeaway is that scuba diving can be learned recreationally over a short course. Deep sea diving requires rigorous, lengthy professional training at accredited commercial schools.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/span>4. Difference in Underwater Experience<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nBeyond just depth, scuba and deep sea diving offer very different experiences underwater.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Scuba Experience<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n
\n- <\/i> Emphasis is on the visual enjoyment of the underwater world at moderate depths.<\/li>\n
- <\/i> Get up close with vivid coral reefs and abundant marine life like tropical fish, sea turtles, rays, and small sharks.<\/li>\n
- <\/i> Wreck diving allows you to explore sunken ships and aircraft. Cave diving through cavern systems is also popular.<\/li>\n
- <\/i> You have extensive mobility using kick cycles and finning techniques. Arms remain free for swimming and activities.<\/li>\n
- <\/i> Unencumbered 360 degree vision allows you to fully observe the environment around you.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
<\/span>Deep Sea Experience<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n
\n- <\/i> Experience a cold, dark, alien world few people witness, well below where sunlight penetrates.<\/li>\n