Top 10 Tips for Learning to Scuba Dive
Top 10 Tips for Learning to Scuba Dive
- Learn with a reputable companyJust like when you went to school, there are some good ones and others not so good. Read reviews and read about their facilities before you decide.
- Don’t go for the cheapest!Like most things in life you get what you pay for. If you opt for the cheapest diving course then the chances are there will be large class sizes, poor facilities and you’ll spend less time in the water.
- Get your own mask and snorkelThis is the least expensive and most compact piece of diving equipment. Hire masks tend to leak a lot and it will ruin your dive
- Practice, practice, practiceLike most sports you can only continue to improve if you practice. Once you’ve qualified then don’t leave it too long before you jump back in the water. A good idea is to join a friendly dive club and practice buoyancy control.
- Learn with a family member or friendWe generally find when people have a friend or loved one with them they get more out of the course as they can share their experience.
- Breath slowlyThe best tip that you can receive when learning to dive is to breath nice and slowly. This makes you more relaxed, it means you are able to concentrate on completing the practical skills more thoroughly, you think clearer, you buoyancy control is better and ultimately means your air lasts longer so you can see more while underwater.
- Breath out through your noseBefore you start your confined water session practice breathing in through your mouth and out through your nose while keeping your mouth open. It sounds easy but it is one of the hardest skills to master and is essential when you come to learning to clear your mask.
- Make sure you are comfortable in waterIt sounds obvious but there are many people who are very scared of jumping in water let alone breathing under water. There is a swim test and you’l be required to float/tread water as part of your course.
- Make sure you are relatively fitBeing fit means there is less chance of suffering from potential medical issues related to scuba diving. The equipment can be heavy to carry around and you don’t want to over exert yourself.
- Have fun!The reason we dive is to have fun. If you are aren’t comfortable doing a skill then just let your instructor know and you can always come back. Occasionally we see customers putting too much pressure on themselves, this means you are more stressed and less likely to learn to be a competent diver. Any decent dive school will allow you to practice until you are relaxed and you enjoy it.