
Why Scuba Training Is Important For Becoming An Astronaut
Scuba training has many aspects in common with a career as an astronaut.
The mutual themes are:
- We need to rely on equipment both in space and underwater whenever we do activities.
- Even if an emergency happens, there is no way that we throw away life support systems.
- To achieve safety and effectiveness, it is critical to have a deep understanding of both the technology we use and the extreme environment that surrounds us.
That being said, being trained underwater as a scuba diver will benefit astronauts to simulate a space environment.
Also, most astronaut training is done underwater https://www.nasa.gov/content/underwater-spacewalk-training https://www.scubadiving.com/nasas-underwater-lab
Moreover, many current astronauts were enjoying scuba diving even before they became astronauts.
How Can You Do Scuba Diving Training? What Does The Process Look Like?
-Organization
There are multiple organizations that give you certification.
I mainly do training with either PADI or SSI instructors.
-Certification
Each organization has slightly different certification requirements, but basically they are the same.
For example, PADI has 4 types of certificates for recreational divers.
- Open Water Diver (OW)
- Advanced Open Water Diver (AOW)
- Rescue Diver + Emergency First Responder (EFR: CPR+AED)
- Master Scuba Diver (MSD: 5 specialty courses are additionally required)
If you want to be a professional instructor, you will proceed with Divemaster to have a further advanced license.
My Goal For Scuba Diving
I am currently trying to get Masterdiver, which is the highest stage for recreational divers. (I got OW in February 2021, AOW in May 2021, and Rescue in June 2021)
Also, I hope to get Divemaster someday so that I can get more professional technique and knowledge.
Final Remark
Although I recently started scuba diving, I became a huge fan of this activity.
I have learned a lot through scuba journey, and I am really excited to be a Masterdiver (and hopefully Divemaster)!