Diving can only be done by good swimmers and people in top physical condition, right? 

You don't have to be an Olympic swimmer to become a recreational SCUBA diver but you do have to pass some basic swim tests.

SCUBA diving is dangerous isn't it?

It's probably about as dangerous as bowling if you are trained properly.

Why do my ears hurt when I go to the bottom of the pool?

As you go deeper under the water, the pressure on your body increases.  Since the pressure on the outside of your body increases above the pressure in your inner ear, your ear drum starts to get pushed in and you feel pain.  If you were to continue to dive deeper your eardrum would eventually burst.  Good news!  Its very simple to "equalize" the pressures using techniques you learn in your 1877 ScubaUSA scuba class to avoid pain and the possibility of a ruptured eardrum.  Diving should not be painful.

SCUBA diving is expensive, isn't it?

Would you take up skiing and not buy skis?  Why would you get into SCUBA diving and not expect to have to buy the equipment needed to dive safely?  Let's face it, many dive shops don't maintain their rental gear as good as they should.  Also, rental gear does not fit as well and is not as comfortable as your own gear.  Studies show that divers that own their own equipment dive more often and are far more likely to keep diving.  SCUBA diving is an equipment intensive sport and does require some significant purchases.  Properly maintained, your equipment may give you many years of enjoyment.  Don't just think about how much you are spending now, think about how much it will cost you over a period of 5 to 10 years.  Since SCUBA equipment is used for life support, you should buy the best performing gear you can afford.  

Can I dive with contact lenses?  What if I wear glasses?

You should be able to dive while wearing contacts.  If you wear hard contact lenses you will want the gas permeable type.  If you wear glasses, masks can have lenses bonded to them so you can see underwater. Read more about contacts and diving.

How do I properly fit a mask to my face?

A trip to our dive shop in Paramus is your best bet to ensure that your SCUBA mask fits you properly. The first step to a proper fitting is to place several different masks on your face and check that the surrounding seal fits the contour of your face. Check all around the mask and under your nose to make sure it fits to your face without sucking in on the mask. Usually, you will find several brands and styles that fit, some better than others. Then, take each mask again and put it on your face without putting the strap on your head and lightly suck in through your nose. The mask should seal completely and stay on your face when you let go of it. Eliminate any that do not. From the masks that are left, pick the ones that provide the best field of view. Finally, choose the mask that you like the best based on style or preference out of what is left.

How do I properly fit a pair of SCUBA fins?

The fins you select for SCUBA diving will depend on the type of diving you will be doing. Divers that dive in warm water, such as the Caribbean, often opt for the full-foot style of fins. Divers that frequently SCUBA dive in colder areas like New England usually go for open back fins with wetsuit boots. To ensure that you have a properly fitting pair of fins your best bet is to take a trip to our dive shop in Paramus.  If you will be using open-back fins, bring your wetsuit boots. If you going to buy full-foot fins and are going to wear a neoprene sock, bring those with you. Once you get to the dive shop, you will probably have a number of different brands and styles of fins to choose from. When fitting open-back fins you want to be able to slide your foot up into the foot pocket without it being too tight or too loose. It should feel comfortable on your foot with your foot out straight. Don't gauge the fit while standing up on the fins, your foot will compress and change the fit! You won't be standing while you are swimming with them. Full-foot fins should fit snugly but not too tight. Both types of fins should not be able to twist on your foot, if they do the fins will rotate and become less efficient. You may find that several different brands and styles fit you. If this is the case, you can choose the fin that fits the type of diving you will be doing and the color you like.