For divers out there, we do not need to go overseas just to experience the best dive sites and feel the diversity. Diving is just a few minutes away from us because the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park already opened. The dives will start next month actually but they are inviting the public to register now.

Before the dive, divers are required to submit to certification from international training organizations and they must record at least twenty dives. This is not something for the amateur since the marine biodiversity needs to be protected. After securing the Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA) certification, what other preparations should we consider?

Here are some tips on prepping for diving:

• On selecting location: In this case, we already know where to head but what if we are overseas? How will we determine and select the right location? We have to determine the variables first before making the decision. Variables include attraction which refers to choosing a site based on assortment of animals and plants as well as caves and shipwrecks. The next variable will be depth. For recreational divers, they are advised not to dive below 130 feet. Another variable is visibility. This is important so we can see where we are going. The visibility will depend on the weather and other sea conditions. We need to consider clear waters so we can see whatever treasure it is hiding. Temperature should also be considered. Divers use wet suits to protect us from the cold. Other places might not require wet suits. We have to know if we need one or not so our body will not be surprised.

• On gears: Diving has a lot of risk than swimming. We have to prepare our gears before the big journey down under. The crucial part here is to select and endure that our gears are operational. The success of our dive will depend on the condition of our gears. We have to look for wetsuits (thickness will depend on the water’s temperature), fins (we have to choose fins that provide wide channels), buoyancy compensator device (this kind of equipment will permit us to attain neutral buoyancy whenever we are underwater), regulator (a gear that controls and maintains the air), snorkel and mask, knife and more importantly the SCUBA tank.

Now it is time to head to Sisters’ Island. The National Parks granted six licensed operators to lead the dive sites. For interested divers, we can simply sign up with licensed operators and for the list, we have to refer to the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park website.