The underwater environment is dramatically different than the environment we're accustomed to. Objects appear differently, the environment is denser, and pressure changes are more dramatic. An understanding of these physical differences will help you prevent injuries and enhance your diving experience.

Don't worry if science and math weren't your strongest subjects in high school. The concepts introduced in this chapter are straight forward, and after some consideration will seem like common sense. If you desire a more in-depth study of physics, the Master Scuba Diver course is an excellent consideration for your future dive training.