A man wears scuba gear while underwater. -- David De Lossy/Photodisc Green/Getty Images

Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA) diving is an exciting and interesting sport enjoyed by many Canadians at home and on vacation abroad.

Scuba is considered a safe sport. Scuba diving has fewer fatalities associated with it than downhill skiing by comparison.

In the last few years we have had two preventable dive injuries and one fatality that occurred overseas and I wish to caution travelers.

Those planning to dive should be screened for physical problems that would be affected by the pressure of diving and are instructed how to dive safely.

Many travelers learn to scuba dive while on vacation — in resorts, on cruise ships or in local dive shops.

Usually there are no problems but occasionally dive injuries occur that could have easily been prevented if the traveler was better instructed or had been using better diving equipment.

Professional dive shops are registered through official organizations such as PADI (Professional Association of Divers), NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors) or others. All are recognized as qualified to teach scuba diving to beginners and offer advanced skill courses as well.

Their equipment is also well-inspected.

Dive shops will periodically organize classes throughout the year, even during the winter. A typical course may be organized during evenings or on a weekend and last about a week.

Divers are introduced to the basic concepts involved in diving and are taught and how pressurized air will affect people.

The goal is to give each diver a practical understanding of how to react in the water. It is intended for an average person and does not teach advanced physics concepts so no one who really tries should worry about failing.

These concepts are taught carefully so they are understood, reflected upon and discussed during the classroom time.

At the same time, limited diving takes place, usually in a local pool where task skills are shown and even games played to make each participant comfortable with the dive environment.

After the classroom and pool sessions, a written exam is done, followed by an open dive exam.

In Winnipeg, these take place at West Hawk Lake from late spring to fall.

Many people plan to take their classroom and pool lessons locally and then certify away on vacation. Affiliated dive shops abroad finish the certification.

Dive encounter programs run by resorts overseas may not be correctly run. Teaching a group of people simultaneously to dive in 1-2 hours is not allowing enough time and cuts too many corners.

Underwater accidents are rare but also may be sudden and tragic.

We strongly recommend travelers wanting to learn to dive get the best instruction possible.

Dr. Gary Podolsky practises travel and sports medicine at Skylark Medical Clinic in Winnipeg.

He has served as medical officer for Carnival Cruise Lines, xpedition doctor in Tibet, and as a civilian physician with the Canadian air force. Send questions to travel@wpgsun.com