While this device works well as a sound effect, it's even better as part of an invention that allows humans to breathe under water and observe sea life in its natural environment.

Scuba (Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) diving is an incredible experience. Decked out in heavy gear comprising a mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuit, weight belt, buoyancy vest, regulator and air tank, the first mission on a dive is to get safely off the boat and into the water.

Once in the water, you gradually allow yourself to sink, listening only to the strange new sound of your own breathing. First-timers usually struggle to breathe calmly as they see the emerging landscape below and the fading surface above.

Though it may attract you to the sport, seeing underwater footage on television does not prepare you for the experience of scuba diving.

Most people believe scuba diving is very expensive. In fact, the price of a starter course is relatively forgiving, especially given the future delights the training will entitle you to.

The beginners' scuba course is called Open Water and costs just Bt5,900. For this price, you get 8-15 hours of basic dive theory and 8-15 hours of practice in a swimming pool. However, to be granted your actual Open Water Diver licence you'll have to test your skills for real with a series of proper dives. This will cost at least Bt1,000 and entails four ocean dives undertaken over two days, so the Open water course usually ends up costing around Bt7,000-Bt8,000.

Most dive centres will include all equipment in this price. However, you'll still have to pay other expenses, such as transport and accommodation. Dive schools in Bangkok usually take their students to Pattaya or Sattaheep for the ocean tests. For those willing to learn elsewhere, Koh Tao is famous as a scuba-training area for foreigners. However, course fees are around 20-30 per cent higher in popular tourist areas.

There are several internationally recognised scuba-diving institutes. The most famous is the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), who's licences are recognised around the world. Other international diving licensors include the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI Worldwide) and Scuba Schools International (SSI).

The fee described above is a budget one, which can increase dramatically depending on the quality of the training, the location, the boat used and the number of dives. One would be wise to consider quality of training as the highest priority, although just because a course is cheap does not necessarily mean the training is shoddy. Just remember to use your common sense and quit if you think there is something wrong with your course or the dives you go on.

If you get your Open Water Diver licence and decide to continue diving recreationally, you may want to consider buying some basic gear such as a wetsuit, mask, snorkel and fins. The cheapest, local-made wetsuits cost around Bt2,000 while a decent mask, snorkel and fins set can be purchased for Bt1,000 to Bt2,000. As this gear can also be used for snorkelling on other trips it can really be worth having.

Some useful diving accessories that won't break the bank are a hood to retain body heat (up to 40 per cent of heat is lost through your head) and gloves to protect your hands under water. Both of these items can be purchased for Bt500 to Bt800 each.

If it happens that you become so fond of diving you want to seriously pursue it as a sport, you may want to purchase more sophisticated gear, such as a regulator and buoyancy vest. Unlike a mask, snorkel, fins or wetsuit, these items are crucial for underwater security.

As the functioning or failure of these items can mean life or death, you should consider quality before price when purchasing. The cheapest regulator and buoyancy-vest combo costs around Bt8,000, and prices go way up from there.

At this point, the minimum cost of learning to dive and purchasing a basic set of scuba gear is around Bt30,000. However, frequent recreational divers will also want to purchase a dive computer, a watch-like device that can easily calculate dive time and depth to help prevent decompression sickness. A standard dive computer costs Bt14,000 to Bt15,000.

Other items that can make diving more enjoyable are a waterproofed camera (around Bt16,000), a diving knife (Bt2,000) and an underwater torch (Bt1,000).

Dive expos and fairs offer good discounts on basic diving gear, as do some dive schools when selling to their students.

To gain further diving accreditation, other courses such as Advanced Diver, Rescue Diver and Dive Master can be taken, but for recreational diving the Open Water Diver licence is considered sufficient.

Jiwamol Kanoksilp

The Nation