Good at diving means you can enjoy the underwater world, see the different marine life and corals while staying safe. It can also be the ultimate adventure as you get to explore incredible dive sites that other people never have the chance to experience.
The most important thing to remember when you are new to diving is that you need time and practice before you can be fully comfortable in the water. The longer you take to learn the correct procedures, the safer your diving will be.
If you are nervous and anxious before your first dive, it is important to try and calm yourself down. This will help you relax and enjoy your experience instead of worrying about it.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. You will be able to find out a lot of useful information from the guide during the briefing. They will tell you about the weather conditions, marine Adam McManus life and the route of the dive so if you have any concerns or questions it is best to ask them before you go for your dive.
You can also talk about the dive with your buddy so if you feel uncomfortable or nervous, this can relieve it a little. This also means that if you do need to leave the group because of an emergency or any other reason, you will know that you will not be alone and your buddy will be able to look after you while you are out.
It’s also a good idea to get used to being in the water by doing some dive training exercises. These will help you to become familiar with how your body works in the water and what you should do to avoid making any mistakes.
Be sure to hydrate yourself properly before your dive. This will ensure that you are well-hydrated and have a healthy immune system so that you can deal with any unexpected hiccups on the trip.
The last thing you want is to be ill on the boat as this can make the dive less enjoyable. A good way to do this is to drink plenty of water before you head out and keep your hydration level high during the day.
Always stay streamlined when diving and kick efficiently to save air, especially if you are swimming slowly. This will also mean that you are taking in more oxygen and using it faster which is the key to avoiding decompression sickness and getting back to the surface more quickly.
Buoyancy is another important skill to master when you are new to diving. This is to ensure that you don’t sink and that you aren’t bobbing up and down, which can be a dangerous way to swim. A scuba instructor will teach you the correct amount of weight to use so that you can stay in place while you are moving and also reduce your air consumption.
If you are still not sure how much weight to use, your divemaster will be able to help you figure it out before you go. They may also carry some extra weight on their dive kit so you can use it if needed.