Scuba diving is an underwater sport in which participants, known as divers, use special breathing devices to maneuver the underwater regions of the world. Scuba diving is a great activity that allows you to navigate the world’s ocean floors and other underwater body regions.

However, despite the benefits of scuba diving, the sport has become riddled with various myths, partly because diving and marine life, in general, have become sensationalized by movies, which has led to various misconceptions about the practice.

Recreational scuba diving has grown popular in recent times; as such, if you are interested in enjoying this fantastic game, it is vital to discover some popular myths around the game with corresponding facts debunking them:

Myth Number 1. Best Diving Sites are in the Tropics

The most popular notion about scuba diving is that it is a sport carried out in stunning underwater landscapes, mostly found in tropical locations. While this is relatively true because there are beautiful diving sites spread across the tropic, such as Egypt, the Bahamas, and Cozumel, you can visit other fantastic diving locations beyond the tropics. For instance, you can have ice diving around the Arctic Circle, an area also known for its beautiful underwater structures, or cavern diving in a cenote.

Myth Number 2. You Only See Intriguing Marine Lives  During Deep Dives

This myth does not hold any truth because while you can discover awesome wreckages during deep dives into the ocean floor, you can also find such wrecks at reasonable depths. One of the world’s most popular diving sites, the Cancun Underwater Museum of Arts, can be accessed at only 28 feet deep! Additionally, research has shown that over 80% of marine life can be discovered in shallow sea areas near coastlines.

As such, if you wish to discover beautiful diving areas, there is no need to plunge into abysmal depths to enjoy the vibrant coral reefs and colorful school of fish!

Myth Number 3. The Oceans are Littered with Dangerous Sharks

For fans of the famous movie “Jaws,” the seas are filled with sharks roaming about looking for whom to devour! The truth is that sharks are not entirely dangerous. Out of the over 400 species of sharks, only a few of them are known for being aggressive towards humans. Most sharks feed on marine lives smaller than scuba divers and do not pose any threat to scuba divers. And what’s more, sighting a shark underwater is a thrilling experience that you won’t easily forget!

Myth Number 4. The Scuba Diver’s Tank Contains Only Pure Oxygen

There is a common myth that the diver’s tank is only filled with oxygen, which has led some to refer to it as an oxygen tank. The facts say differently that the tanks do not contain 100% oxygen and mostly contain ordinary surface air. In reality, the composition is 21% oxygen and 78% nitrogen; surprised?

Myth Number 5. Only Excellent Swimmers Can Become Good Divers

There is no requirement to become a great swimmer before becoming a scuba diver. However, you need some basic water skills, such as the ability to tread for about 10 minutes and swim for 200 yards without stopping. You can become a fantastic diver with these essential skillsets, although you can hone your swimming skills with time!

Scuba diving is a fantastic sport, and one way to enjoy this sport is to do away with some erroneous myths that could stop you from having a tremendous time underwater!