In diving, like with anything else, practice makes perfect! Almost no one’s a pro from the get-go, but the more dives you log, the more natural it’ll feel! That being said, here are our top tips for becoming a better diver:
1 . Know How Much Weight to Use
Getting the right weight is key! If you’re over-weighted, you’ll never really learn how to control your buoyancy because gravity does all the work! Regularly check your buoyancy to see if you need to adjust your weight. Don’t just take your Divemaster’s or Instructor’s word for it; test it yourself to avoid being over-weighted.
How to Check Your Weight at the Surface:
- Put your regulator in your mouth and take a normal breath in.
- Hold your breath (safe to do at the surface) and dump all the air from your BCD.
- If you’re perfectly weighted, your eyes should be at water level with an empty BCD.
- Breathe out slowly and you should sink gently - stay still though, because kicking will keep you up!
If you’re perfectly weighted at the start of your dive, you might feel a little light at the end, as your tank becomes more buoyant as the air is used. To avoid floating up during your safety stop, consider adding a little extra weight at the beginning.
Descending Made Easy:
The first few feet of your descent can be tricky if you’re properly weighted. Many divers over-weight themselves to make it easier to get down, but that’s not the right move. To descend, stay still, relax, and exhale fully.
Once you’re down, your buoyancy should remain pretty steady. If you find yourself constantly adjusting your BCD or kicking to stay at the same level, chances are you’re over-weighted. Keep it chill, and don’t overdo it with the weights!
2. Stay Streamlined
As divers, we’ve got a ton of gear; SMBs, knives, reef hooks, slates, cameras, torches... you get the idea! It can feel like we’re suiting up for a mission, but keeping everything neat and secure is super important. It helps prevent snags on corals and keeps you streamlined!
Here are a few tips to stay sleek:
CARRY ONLY WHAT YOU NEED: Don’t overload your D-rings with gadgets. Stick to the essentials based on your dive plan, only bring what’s necessary.
SECURE YOUR HOSES: Keep hoses clipped and tidy. If possible, ditch extra hoses (like the high-pressure one) by using a computer with a remote air sensor. Make sure your octopus and gauges are properly clipped and the hoses are routed neatly under your arms.
GET THE RIGHT FIT: Make sure your wetsuit and BCD fit well. If you’re renting, try a few options before you hit the water to ensure everything fits perfectly.
3. Adjust your body posture
Even with perfect weighting, a diver can still feel like they’re dragging through the water if their position isn’t right. The goal is to stay horizontal, like a skydiver, with your knees and ankles bent at a 90-degree angle. This keeps your fins parallel to the floor and slightly above your body, helping you maintain balance and reduce drag, making for a smoother, more efficient dive.
If you find yourself at a 45-degree angle, it’s probably because you’re over-weighted. Too much weight means you'll have to kick harder to stay off the bottom, increasing drag and using up more air. Getting your weight distribution just right keeps you streamlined and reduces unnecessary effort.
4. Relax and focus on your breath
Keep it slow and steady. A good rule of thumb is to exhale longer than you inhale, but remember, there will be times when you'll adjust your breathing to help control your buoyancy, especially during ascents or descents.
Breathing deeply helps keep you calm, reduces air consumption, and improves buoyancy control. When you're not rushing your breath, you also avoid quick movements that can cause unnecessary energy expenditure or increase your risk of anxiety.
5. Know How to Dive Your Environment
Exploring new dive locations is one of the most exciting parts of being a scuba diver. But to truly enjoy the experience, it's imporatnt to be comfortable and confident in your skills for the environment you're diving in. Before you take the plunge, make sure you're prepared!
Pay close attention to the dive briefing and don’t hesitate to ask questions. There are no silly questions when it comes to your safety and enjoyment underwater.
Here are some things to ask and consider before diving in a new location:
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Is there a current? Understanding the flow of water can help you navigate more easily and avoid being swept away.
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What are the procedures if you get separated from your buddy? It's crucial to know how to rejoin or communicate in case of separation.
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What are the entry and exit points? Know where and how you'll enter and exit the water safely.
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Are there any hazards? Check for possible dangers like strong currents, marine life, or sharp rocks.
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Are you fit enough for the environment? Some locations may require more physical effort, such as diving in stronger currents or deeper waters.
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Are you qualified for the depths? Make sure you meet the certification requirements for the depth of the dive.
If you're unsure about your readiness for a particular dive, it's okay to take a step back. Planning ahead and being honest about your experience will ensure that your dive trip is not only enjoyable but safe. If necessary, get the proper practice or certifications before embarking on a new diving adventure!
6- Plan Your Dive - Dive Your Plan!
Before hitting the water, make sure you’ve got a solid dive plan in place. Understand the depth, terrain, and potential hazards like currents or local marine life. Set your dive goals, whether you’re checking out a wreck, spotting marine life, or working on skills, and share the plan with your buddy so everyone’s on the same page.
Once the plan’s set, stick to it! Avoid wandering off or changing things last minute, as it can lead to running low on air or getting lost. If something unexpected happens, reassess, but always prioritize safety.
Planning your dive and sticking to the plan is key to a smooth, fun, and safe dive. The more prepared you are, the more you can relax and enjoy the experience!
7- Take Responsibility for Your Safety
As a certified diver, your safety is your responsibility; no one else can take that away from you. While your dive guide is there to lead, you're the one in charge of your own safety. This means knowing your limits, staying within your certification level, and making sure you’re comfortable with the dive conditions.
If the dive guide plans to go deeper than you're certified for or suggests conditions you're not comfortable with, remember : YOU have the final say! Never let the group or dive plan push you past your limits. Speak up, and always prioritize your safety above all else.
8- Respectfully Interact with Marine Life
Respecting marine life is important for preserving the beauty of the underwater world. By exploring with care and awareness, we can enjoy these incredible creatures without disrupting their natural environment.
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Keep your hands close to your body to avoid accidental contact with corals or animals.
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Approach slowly and gently avoid rushing in or making sudden movements that could startle marine life.
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Hover and slow your fin movements when observing to minimize disturbance and prevent stirring up silt or sand.
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Wait your turn if diving with a group, so everyone has a chance to enjoy the experience.
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Respect their behavior don’t interfere with marine life. You’re there to observe, not to change their world.
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Observe, don’t take! Take only memories, not souvenirs, to ensure the ocean remains as beautiful as you found it.
9- Dive, Dive, Dive!
The more you dive, the more comfortable you'll get with your buoyancy and air consumption, and the more experience you'll gain in different diving situations. You'll also get a better sense of your gear, improve your reaction time in different scenarios, and become more confident in the water. Plus, you’ll learn to read the conditions, adapt to different environments, and connect with other divers on the boat, swapping stories and tips. Diving sharpens your skills and builds muscle memory, so everything becomes second nature!
10. Further Your Diving Education
Continuing your diving education is one of the best ways to boost your confidence and improve as both a diver and a dive buddy. The first big step after your Open Water certification is the Advanced Open Water course. This allows you to gain more dive experience and qualifies you for deeper dives, opening up new underwater adventures.
From there, you can pursue various specialty certifications that focus on specific areas of diving, such as Deep Diving, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Wreck Diving, and even environmentally focused courses like Poject Aware. These Specialty courses aren’t just about getting more certs - they help you become a more skilled, confident diver who’s ready for whatever the ocean throws your way. So, keep learning, keep diving, and you’ll continue to grow in your dive journey!
