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Tips on Scuba Diving in Australia

September 25, 2020 | Guest post by: Michelle Williams

Scuba diving in Australia is a wonderful adventure for a diver to explore the beauty of Australia's underwater environment. Scuba diving in Australia is a popular experience for tourists as well as an ideal learning opportunity for aspiring scuba divers. There are many places to visit in and around Australia which are perfect for scuba diving. One of the most popular places to dive is Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

Scuba diving in Australia attracts millions of visitors each year, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the entire world. More than twenty thousand scuba diving operations occur every year off the eastern coast of Australia. Scuba diving in Australia is known to be a relaxing and exciting experience for divers of all ages – just make sure you come prepared with your scuba diving gear!

About Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is located off the coast of Queensland in the Tropical North Queensland region. It is the second-largest coral reef system in the entire world after the Great Pacific Ocean.

The coral reef system is located only 200 kilometers away from Brisbane and it is the third most populated coral reef system in the whole world. It is also the second biggest coral reef system in the Pacific and the largest coral reef system in the southern hemisphere. The Great Barrier Reef is home to hundreds of different types of sea life, including over a hundred varieties of corals. The reef is extremely beautiful. In fact, it is ranked the most beautiful natural beauty spot in the entire world by National Geographic Traveler.

Safety Measures

When it comes to diving in the Great Barrier Reef, there are several things to remember to avoid when diving it. There are some things you need to understand before you head out to explore the reef. These include:

#1 Shark Safety

Another great thing about the Great Barrier Reef is that it provides divers with numerous opportunities to see different species of sharks. Shark attacks are very rare occurrences, but they do occur. In recent years, shark attacks have increased in certain parts of the reef. These incidents are caused by a number of factors such as boats operating near the reef or diving at the wrong time.

Although shark attacks are relatively rare, they can still occur if divers fail to follow safety measures. One of the important steps taken by divers in order to avoid a shark attack is to stay underwater long enough to allow oxygen and food to reach the body and for a few moments to replenish themselves.

#2 Valid Diving Certificate

The most common safety rules of scuba diving in Australia state that divers should never leave the water without first obtaining a valid diving certificate. This will serve as a legal requirement. The certificate will help you prove to other divers that you are a certified diver and they can then advise you if you are suitable for scuba diving in Australia or not. Another very important piece of information on safety is to always stay within three meters of the reef at all times. A good diving instructor will always let you know how deep you should be when diving.

#3 Equipment

Scuba diving in Australia requires you to wear a mask that covers the nose and mouth. This will prevent any debris from getting into the air and entering your eyes. If you do get debris in your eyes, you should immediately remove the debris so that it does not enter your vision and get lodged in your vision. This will ensure that your eyes remain safe. Your mask should also be made of breathable material so that you do not inhale too much water into your lungs while in the water.

In spite of all these precautions, it is important that you never take air tanks with you when diving in Australia because they are not regulated to the same level as the other countries' air tanks. Even if your air tank is Australian, it may still leak during a dive. Always check your equipment before diving in order to make sure that it is functioning properly before taking it to the reef.

Scuba diving in Australia is not recommended to children under twelve years old. You should always talk to a licensed instructor first before allowing them to take scuba diving lessons.

Scuba diving in Australia also provides divers with a variety of great diving experiences and it would be a good idea for you to sign up for diving classes in order to gain more experience. You may even want to consider becoming a certified diver yourself. Once you have completed your training, you can now try other diving courses and even join scuba clubs. It is also possible to become a guide in the waters if you want.