Scuba diving can look complicated from the outside — gear, courses, physics, safety, ocean environments. But when you break it down step by step, it becomes one of the most rewarding journeys you can take.

Here’s the A–Z of scuba diving, taking you from curious beginner to confident diver — and beyond.

In 2026, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) marks a monumental milestone—60 years of transforming the world of scuba diving. From its humble beginnings in 1966, PADI has become the world's leading scuba diving training organization, issuing over 30 million certifications and fostering a global community of divers committed to exploring and protecting our oceans.

Not every young person thrives in a traditional classroom. Some need a different environment, a different rhythm, or a different way of learning altogether — and that’s where Independent Alternative Provisions (IAPs) come in.

The doors are open, the pool is warm, and the kettle is back on — 2026 is officially underway at Abyss Scuba School.

After a well-earned break, we’re excited to welcome divers, students, families and new faces back to Littlehampton Marina for another year of bubbles, learning, confidence-building and underwater adventure.

If you’ve been thinking “this is the year I finally try scuba” — you’re in the right place.

Christmas is just around the corner — and whether you’re shopping for a brand-new diver, a seasoned adventurer, or someone who keeps saying “I really want to try scuba diving one day”, the perfect gift is waiting beneath the surface.

At Abyss Scuba School, we’ve put together a hand-picked list of the Top 5 Scuba Diving Gifts for Christmas — all practical, all genuinely useful, and all available from our Littlehampton Marina shop.

From beginner essentials to UK-ready winter gear, these gifts are guaranteed to make any diver smile this festive season.

Your first scuba diving lesson is exciting — after all, it’s the moment you take your very first breaths underwater! Whether you’ve booked a Discover Scuba Diving experience or you’re beginning your PADI Open Water course at Abyss Scuba School, a little preparation goes a long way.

Here’s everything you need to know before you arrive, so you can relax, enjoy the moment, and make the most out of your underwater adventure.

Surface Marker Buoys (SMBs) and Delayed Surface Marker Buoys (DSMBs) are essential bits of safety kit for UK divers — especially here on the South Coast, where tides, boat traffic and visibility can change fast.

But despite being a standard part of every diver’s equipment, incorrect DSMB use remains one of the most common safety mistakes we see, and the most serious one is simple:

• Never attach a DSMB or reel directly to yourself. Ever.

For a long time, having diabetes meant scuba diving was strictly off-limits. But times have changed — and that’s great news for thousands of people with diabetes who want to explore the underwater world.

One of the most common questions we hear at Abyss Scuba School is: “Do I need to be really fit to learn to dive?”
It’s an understandable concern — after all, you’re carrying equipment, swimming, and exploring a whole new environment. But here’s the truth: you don’t need to be an Olympian to enjoy the underwater world.

At Abyss Scuba School, we take safety seriously, whether it's under the waves or right here at our dive centre. One of the most important (and often overlooked) pieces of kit in any scuba hub is the air compressor. It fills our tanks with that precious clean air you rely on to explore the underwater world... but did you know it also requires strict fire safety measures?

At Abyss Scuba School, safety is our top priority. From detailed dive plans and buddy checks to HSE-compliant practices, regular equipment servicing, and highly trained staff, we take every step to protect our divers. Whether you're just starting out or progressing through advanced training, you can dive with confidence knowing you're in safe hands.

We all know that scuba diving is good exercise: the lifting and carrying, the resistance of water, and the struggle of getting into and out of our wetsuits!

Tuesday 7th January 2025 was beautiful and sunny so I took the opportunity to have a little adventure and explore Littlehampton’s West Beach SSSI Nature Reserve.

There are a lot of myths surrounding scuba diving that can discourage people from giving it a try. Let’s set the record straight.

Joel and I went up to London and the South East's premier dive site, Wraysbury Dive Centre to do a bit of filming at this beautiful inland lake.

Ever wondered about the mesmerizing origins of scuba diving? Let's take a plunge into the history that transformed the way we explore the underwater world.

Abyss Scuba School kicks off 2024 with a splash! Join us as we dive headfirst into our very first Discover Scuba Diving experiences at Havant Horizon Leisure Centre.