What’s the main difference between a seasoned first-rate diver and just any bubble-blowing spring chicken?
You’ve seen the type of diver I’m talking about, be it your dive instructor, dive master or just a fellow diver he/she just stands out from the rest. They’re the ones that moves underwater with ease, ducking through swim-throughs effortlessly and not even the tip of a fin touches anything. They’re the ones that wonder off on their own and never fail to make it back to the boat after they’ve lasted a whole half hour longer on the same amount of air as the rest of the group. Well, they’re the ones we want to dive like! And there’s no big secret behind the graceful diver, it’s nothing but the 3 important scuba diving skills every diver has heard about before- lower air consumption, good buoyancy control and underwater navigation. It’s the mastery of these skills among others that make some divers outshine others.
Here are the essential skills and other scuba diving skills every diver should covet-
Buoyancy control: This one is not as hard as it seems but a very important skill nonetheless. The key to achieving neutral buoyancy is being properly weighted and descending with just the the right amount of air in your BCD. Then to controlling your buoyancy solely by breathing in or out. Read our Scuba Tips: 10 Tips for Better Buoyancy Control to learn more about how you can improve. Good buoyancy control allows you to relax and to reduce your air consumption which is another essential diving skill to acquire.
Lower Air Consumption: Apart from the sheer bragging rights this skill will get you, a lower air consumption is a sign of a more efficient diver. It doesn’t mean holding your breath or breathing less by any means but making the most of every breath. By is taking short shallow breaths you shorten your air supply as your body doesn’t absorb enough oxygen with each breath. Instead breathe right, deep and consistent for the maximum gas transfer. Read our Scuba Tips: 10 Tips To Conserve Air When Diving to find ways to lower your air consumption when diving.
Underwater Navigation: A tough skill to acquire as we often love to play “follow the leader” when we dive cos we fear getting lost underwater. Underwater navigation takes a lot of practice and development to know exactly where you’re going, where you’ve been and where you are at any given time underwater, however if you are able to pull it off it definitely makes diving a lot more enjoyable and stress free. Read our 10 Tips to Improve Your Underwater Navigation Skills.
Master these and bada-bing! that graceful diver we’ve been talking about will be You!
*Photo Credits: photos by whitecat singapore, star5112, Jorge del Valle on flickr
