Are you about to embark on your first open water scuba dive? Congratulations! It is an exciting experience, but there are a few things it would help you to know before you take the plunge. Here are seven quick tips to help make your first dive a success.
#1 – Take care of yourself before and after your open water dives
Divers need to take care of their bodies both before and after diving. It is really important to be properly hydrated – while you are diving you don’t realize how much strain and stress your body is under and proper hydration will really help avoid issues like cramps, a dry mouth, and general fatigue. So avoiding too much caffeine and alcohol before your dive is important. Also, make sure you get a good night sleep so you are alert and ready for the exciting challenges that await you.
When you return from a dive, take a hot shower or bath to help warm up your muscles and prevent cramping. A nice warm shower after a dive is amazing!
#2 – Watch everything your instructor does
One of the most important things you can do to ensure a safe and enjoyable diving experience is to pay attention to your instructor. Following your instructor’s instructions is essential for safety, and will also help you learn more about diving. You are there to learn, don’t worry about how the other divers are doing picking up skills – just watch and learn.
#3 – Become an expert on your equipment
Before your first dive, you should know everything about your scuba diving gear. Even if it is rental gear, take the time to learn where everything is. Where does your BCD power inflator sit? Where does your SPG attach? How is your octo connected to your BCD? Play with and adjust the straps to make sure you are comfortable. The more comfortable you are in and with your gear the better your scuba diving experience will be.
#4 – Get comfortable in the water
One of the most important things you can do to ensure a safe and enjoyable diving experience is to be comfortable in the water. This means feeling confident in your ability to stay afloat and maneuver around in the water. Spend some time in your local pool or go out on snorkeling adventures. The more comfortable you are in the water will help put your mind at ease and allow you to focus on the experience of scuba diving and in the end, make your first dives more enjoyable.
A good way to become more comfortable in the water is to practice swimming regularly. Swimming is a great way to build up your endurance and become more familiar with the sensation of being in the water.
#5 – You will likely have issues equalizing, so learn different techniques
Ear equalization is an important skill for scuba diving. It’s necessary to equalize your ears every time you descend, or else you may experience pain and discomfort. It takes real time to be able to do it easily. The more dives you do the more you will figure out what technique works best for you. You can learn lots more about equalizing from DAN (Diver Alert Network – a great resource for medical-related diving advice)
The easiest way to equalize your ears is to pinch your nose shut and blow out your nose. This will help to open up the Eustachian tubes and allow air to flow into your ears.
If you’re having trouble equalizing your ears, try swallowing or yawning. This will help to open up the Eustachian tubes and allow air to flow into your ears.
#6 – Get your own mask
A good fit is important for any scuba diving mask. Having a leak-free properly fitting mask can make or break your first diving experience. Finding a good-fitting mask does take some time – go to your local dive shop and take some time to test fit different masks.
Here are the quick steps for testing the fit of a mask:
- Hold the mask gently against your face, but don’t put the strap around your head
- bend your head back by looking up and take your hands away
- Inhale a little bit through your nose.
- now look back down and if the mask fits it will stay suctioned to your face without the need to continue to inhale.
#7 – Practice your buoyancy control
Better buoyancy comes with more diving. When you first dive it is important to just make small adjustments. When adding or removing air to your BCD just add or remove a tiny bit at a time. It takes a little time for the adjustments to take effect. It’s not quite like driving a car – because of the resistance of the water. So don’t overcorrect! Take your time and go slow.
Scuba diving can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it’s important to remember to take precautions and practice safety measures. These seven tips will help you have a more enjoyable first scuba diving experience.
Updated on: December 05, 2023