If you’re new to diving, you are probably like most of us – fascinated by marine life, thrilled by the opportunity to encounter views available nowhere else on the planet, and mesmerized by the astounding beauty of the underwater world. In order to make the most of your dives though, it’s vital that you attain the necessary skills as well as plenty of experience. With patience, time, and practice, you’ll find yourself becoming more at ease in the water. With that in mind, we offer these ten practical tips for avoiding ten mistakes commonly made by beginning divers. Following them will help you enjoy safer, more rewarding diving experiences.
Lack of Focus on Buoyancy Control
Very few beginning divers have great buoyancy control; it’s common for novices to swing and sway through the water as they become accustomed to the physical sensations that accompany scuba diving. Focusing on buoyancy control and working to keep yourself positioned correctly in the water will not only increase your comfort level, it will prevent you from disturbing other divers; in addition, it will prevent you from harming the marine environment and perhaps even injuring yourself.
Relying on Force to Equalize
The more you need to equalize, the greater the amount of discomfort you’ll find you are in. Unfortunately, many new divers use force to equalize, rather than remembering a much easier technique – one that won’t contribute to long-term hearing loss. To equalize properly, simply ascend a little at a time. Don’t ignore pain or excess pressure.
Picking up Artifacts
An artifact can be just about anything found in the marine environment – seashells, rocks, chunks of dead coral, and items such as bottles, ammunition, and other things found at sites such as shipwrecks and piers. While there are some dive sites where picking up a little souvenir is considered to be acceptable, it is not generally considered proper to pick up shells, dead coral, or other items found in the marine environment. If every diver were to pick up even a little piece of “treasure” while exploring, there would soon be nothing left for others to enjoy. A good rule to follow is this one: Leave only bubbles, and take only pictures.
Incorrect Weighting
Weighting yourself properly is vital to correct diving form. Don’t be embarrassed to ask for help with weighting if needed!
Disregard for Others
Many new divers disregard others – and their surroundings – without realizing they’re doing so. Be careful not to kick near another diver’s face, watch out for the bottom and avoid kicking up silt or sand, and do your best to be courteous. Not only will your fellow divers appreciate this, you’ll ultimately become a better diver faster by paying close attention to others as well as to the environment around you.
Forgetting to Check Gauges
Many new divers forget to check gauges and equipment during dives. As a beginner, it’s vital that you check your gauges every few minutes – not just to avoid an out of air situation, but to ensure your depth and time are appropriate. It’s easy to relax and become completely mesmerized while underwater, but complacency can kill so stay on top of the technical aspects of diving while enjoying the environment.
Neglecting Gear Maintenance
Your dive instructors probably told you that your scuba gear is basically a life support system you use underwater – and they were correct! Neglecting to maintain your gear is one of the worst mistakes you can make. Every single strap, buckle, hose, gauge, seam, and zipper matters. As diving is a gear-intensive sport, all of your equipment needs to be in excellent condition before you even consider heading underwater. Besides keeping things in good working order, it’s a great idea to pre-adjust everything and give it a final check before kitting up. Once your dive has come to an end, take time to care for your equipment right away. Not only is this an act of self-preservation, it’s also a great way to make your investment in scuba gear last longer!
Feeling Shy About Asking Questions
Every diver was a beginner at some point. Every one of us had questions as we learned. There is no shame in asking questions, requesting clarification, or looking for guidance. In fact, it’s best to be humble, double-check any time you feel even the slightest sense of doubt about anything, and never make assumptions. People are injured and killed because of mistakes, and even if you’re not worried about your own safety, it’s important to remember that decisions you make affect the people you are diving with. So ask questions, and remember to express gratitude for the advice you get!
Forgetting to Keep Skills Sharp
One of the worst mistakes new divers make is losing touch with scuba skills, then expecting those same skills to be available during the next vacation. If it’s going to be a while until your next dive, spend a little time recalling skills just for a few minutes a week. If you feel as though you’re forgetting things, don ‘t be afraid to take a refresher course. You’ll be glad you did.
As a final bit of advice, it’s a great idea to stay up to date with changes in equipment, and it’s a good idea to stay in touch with buddies between dives, too. Not only will this keep you in the know, it will help you to enjoy greater safety when you do get the chance to dive again. Avoiding overconfidence, focusing on safety – even when on simple dives, and rehearsing emergency scenarios in your head are three great ways to stay safe while ultimately enjoy the sport of scuba diving more. And, as you progress further with diving, keep this advice in mind. Mistakes can happen at any level, and as most of them are preventable, avoiding them is of the utmost importance. So by all means, get out there, relax, enjoy the beauty and amazing views you’ll find underwater – and keep on improving. You’ll be amazed at what you ultimately become capable of.