Diving has existed for centuries; in fact in ancient times people used to hold their breath to look for food sources and also decorative objects. Most people today associate diving with SCUBA (Self-Contained Underwater Breathing) diving, but primarily as a recreational sport. Through technological advances, SCUBA divers are able to explore the fascinating underwater world at greater depths and for longer periods of time. These advances include the air lung, dive computers, and diving suits. Without these advances, divers would not be able to safely explore great depths underwater. Issitt says, “Scuba diving requires certification through an instructor or licensed organization. Divers must learn to handle equipment to monitor oxygen levels, control depth and navigate underwater.” (Scuba diving). Most diving instructors or organizations have been certified through PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors), one of the most recognized organizations worldwide, as well as some of the following organizations: NAUI (National Association of Diving Instructors), SSI (Scuba Schools International ), NASE (National Diver Academy), and many others. Through these agencies you can easily obtain the Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver and finally Master Diver certification. Each certification states the level of safety with which one can dive, to what depth, the amount of time spent underwater and what skills are appropriate for the dive being considered. “Open water diving is the most common type of scuba diving and is the type covered by basic scuba diving certification. Open water diving is the most common type practiced by underwater wildlife photography and coral reef diving enthusiasts. ( Issitt, “Scuba Diving.”) This certificate… middle of paper… the world has a common bond and following are able to explore and compare their diving experiences and equipment. different and every diver's experience is different. No matter when a diver is certified, whether in the 1920s or 1960s, a diver will never have the same vast underwater ecosystem be a safe recreational sport or profession with the correct certification. Works Cited Issitt, Micah L. "Scuba Diving". Network. March 31, 2014."Diving, deep water." Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th edition (2013): 1-2. Literary reference center. Network. March 31, 2014. http://atlasobscura.com/places/great-blue-hole http://padi.com/blog/2014/01/27/jacques-cousteau-the-father-of-scuba-diving / http://padi.com