You’ve booked your first scuba diving session, or you’re planning to book one, and you’re nervous. First, don’t worry because this is completely natural. Once you get the first session out of the way, you’ll realize that scuba diving is a great way to relax, reconnect with nature, and spend time with loved ones.
Whether you want to challenge yourself or just spend time with your partner, you need to keep some things in mind!
Comfort in the Water
This is going to sound incredibly obvious, but some people think that scuba diving is completely different from swimming. In reality, you need to be comfortable in the water. Often, instructors ask that you swim 200m and tread water for long periods. The ocean is a dangerous place, and you need confidence otherwise your scuba experience will end poorly.
It Takes Practice
Next, you need to know that the scuba divers that you see on the TV have many years of experience. Don’t assume that you will pick everything up in the first session. Even something simple like keeping your eyes open underwater can seem difficult at first.
With this, it’s best to practice in your local pool. You will probably search for something like swimming lessons near me , or public swimming pools by me, or whatever the case, Google should show you some public locations that offer swimming lessons. The thought is worse than the actual process, so get your eyes open (it won’t sting!). If you take a scuba diving course, you’ll need to prove to the instructor that you can swim, tread water, and keep your eyes open underwater before you get the qualification.
Start Local
You’re excited, you can’t wait to try scuba diving, and you’re already looking at trips to the Galapagos Islands to scuba with the turtles. Calm down. Rather than wasting your money before you’re ready, get comfortable in a local pool first. As your skills improve, then you can think about vacations and scuba trips. It’s going to be much more enjoyable once you’re confident and have the right skills.
Listen and Ask
Another thing you need to know as a scuba beginner is that instructors have all the knowledge that you need. No matter how much research you have done, you don’t have more experience or knowledge than the instructor. Therefore, listen to everything they say and don’t be afraid to ask questions. The more questions you ask, the more answers you have when you face a certain situation without an instructor.
Always Dive Together
For safety reasons, it’s always best to stick close to a friend. If you don’t have friends that like scuba diving, why not join a local club and make friends instead? Either way, you should never dive alone because you have no lifeline if the worst were to happen. A friend will help in difficult situations while also sharing the memories with you.
Stay Hydrated
You’re in the water, so you don’t need to drink, right? Good thing you clicked onto this guide for beginners because hydration is critical when scuba diving. When diving, especially in a humid climate, you will become dehydrated. If you don’t drink, you’ll soon grow tired and develop headaches and migraines. Eventually, this takes away from the enjoyment of the day.
Always carry a bottle of water with you and you’ll naturally keep sipping throughout the day. Even once you get back home or to your accommodation, keep drinking to stay energized and hydrated.
Conclusion
Remember, these are just tips for beginners, so don’t let the warnings put you off. Follow the advice of the instructor, drink lots of water, dive with friends, practice, and get comfortable in the water and you’ll create memories to last a lifetime!