New SCUBA divers have to be forgiven of their transgressions in the beginning, for the simple fact that there is so much to learn. Of course, SCUBA diving is always a learning experience, but when you’re new, everything is coming at you like a charging freight train and some things will inevitably get lost in the mix, until practice makes them second nature. There are many ways in which a new diver can let their green horns show, but here are a few tips we think can help you hone your craft while earning good marks in the diving community.
via Derek Keats
Respect is a key factor in most things in life, and it is paramount in SCUBA diving. Respect for your dive master, your buddy, and marine life is the number one way to climb quickly up the rungs of the SCUBA education ladder. When the dive master is briefing the boat on the upcoming dives, pay attention, and don’t distract others. Always check your buddy’s gear and discuss your dive plan before entering the water. If you don’t feel comfortable with your buddy or the dive for any reason, you owe it to yourself and your buddy to voice this to the dive instructor before the dive, so that changes to the plan can be made. Once you are in the water, pay attention to your buoyancy so you do not inadvertently damage any marine life. And of course, try to refrain from intentionally handling creatures, who can be highly susceptible to injury and disease from even the slightest of touches. You will inevitably come into physical contact with some sea creatures, but try to stay clear of them when possible.
via Tim Sheerman-Chase
While it is important to stay with your group and keep close to your buddy on a dive, there is such a thing as crowding underwater. Being aware of your own space and that of others will help keep everyone evenly dispersed, minimizing chances of getting kicked or punched in the head by a diver who has no idea someone else is below/above/beside him. A good rule of thumb is to keep about an arm’s length between you and other divers, and just do intermittent checks around you to make sure you’re not creeping up on anyone’s personal perimeter. This will also help you quickly get out of the way of a diver who doesn’t see you!
via Wodgie
Part of being a good diver is looking after your own health, and making sure that you are fit and able to perform the dive. You should not show up to the dive hungover, as it not only affects you, but your buddy and the rest of the divers in the group. Hydration and plenty of sleep will go a long way to ensure you are alert and thinking with a level head. If you feel a cold coming on, or are having allergy issues, be sure to address this before you get in the water. Taking antihistamines and decongestants for at least 24 hours beforehand can help alleviate the equalization troubles that many suffer when those kinds of symptoms occur. Above all, just be confident that you are physically able to perform the dive and be of assistance to your buddy.
via halseike
Always be practicing and perfecting your skills, especially buoyancy. Buoyancy will allow you to get closer to reef life, improve your air consumption, and relax and enjoy the dive, rather than struggle to maintain a position in the water column. This is an area where dive logs come in really handy as well — take note of what your weight was, if it was too much/little/just right, and any other observations or issues in your dive log as close to just after the dive as you can. This will help you remember important details of your last dive so you can avoid or change things for the next dive. Skills are all about practice, and there is no standard rate at which people become skilled. Just keep practicing, and learning from your mistakes!
via Derek Keats
Although there will invariably be those who disagree, diving is a social sport, not a competitive sport. Divers are part of a unique community that observes and experiences the planet in a way that so few ever will; a competitive spirit is just out of place. New divers obviously have much to learn, but the goal of all divers should be to help educate rather than ridicule over a lack of knowledge. Because you must rely on others for your own survival underwater, it just doesn’t make sense to have a negative attitude towards others’ experience levels. Ask questions, talk to other divers, and always be willing to help someone out. The alternative could be deadly.
What would your tips for new divers be?
As a newbie myself, biggest and hardest thing I am trying to remember is to RELAX. Once relaxed, buoyancy, breathing and enjoying the dive come naturely
Slow Down!!! Take and do everything slow! Always remember you are only one mouth full of water away from being in a whole lot of trouble.
Don’t hold your breath!
all ways have a dive partner!
Go diving!!! Lol
Buoyancy and horizontal trim. Push the buttons at 0.25 second intervals.
Don’t drink the water
2 rules… stay calm and don forget to breath…
Don’t pee in your wetsuit!
25% Johnson’s baby shampoo + 75% water= really good (and cheap) mask defog.
If you get seasick and have to throw up keep the regulator in your mouth
Pass you open water then learn to dive…
Don’t hyperventilate.
Buoyancy control. Can’t stress this enough.
Fill your tanks!!!!
dont bust your dive profile.
Have fun and relax its the best peace and quiet you ever get
Learning/Training never ends.
Relax
Annual reg service is more than a good idea. It’s an absolute necessity. I learned the hard and expensive way. : (
Dive with another diver somewhere close to home and shallow, less than 33′ even if just a pool once a week or twice every two weeks for as long as it takes for you to feel comfortable 10 weeks minimum. See what happens to your comfort level and skills.
take it slow, that dive site will still be there tomorrow. enjoy the ride, if you try to do too much it becomes work.
dont push your limits.. or let your friends talk you into pushing your limits..
Make sure your tank is all the way open. What seems like a normal amount of air coming through the regulator on the surface will decrease rapidly at depth. I did this on my third dive after getting certified and it was scary. Luckily the dive master knew exactly what was wrong and opened my tank the rest of the way. It was also my first night and first group dive so my other advice is don’t cram too many new things into one dive
Make sure your tank is all the way open. What seems like a normal amount of air coming through the regulator on the surface will decrease rapidly at depth. I did this on my third dive after getting certified and it was scary. Luckily the dive master knew exactly what was wrong and opened my tank the rest of the way. It was also my first night and first group dive so my other advice is don’t cram too many new things into one dive
No matter what happens, never panic.
No matter what happens, never panic.
The correct weight makes for a great dive!!
The correct weight makes for a great dive!!
The correct weight makes for a great dive!!
Love ocean and ocean loves you!.
Love ocean and ocean loves you!.
Love ocean and ocean loves you!.
Keep your hands off the reef and don’t muck up the water for other divers. So many divers seem to think that they are the exception to grabbing the reef or scraping the wall. If you aren’t skilled, stay further back from the reef until your skills improve….there is no shame in that and you can see just as many exciting things. If you cannot control your buoyancy, stay away from the ocean floor, your fins are clouding up the vis for the other divers. We need to police each other and let each other know when bad diving practices are occurring, otherwise bad habits are forming.
Beware the Scuba police… you never know where they are… Just get out there and dive, practice your skills and soon your comfort level will be there… You and your buddies will have a lot more fun and that’s what it’s all about…
Stay calm, don’t get over excited. Panic is your worst enemy!
Thanks for sharing these techniques and tips for beginners and has no knowledge about diving and want to get started in this incredible activity is motivating to know about this and to see these great pictures, thanks for sharing an article so interesting, Greetings