Interested in exploring the sea realm but do not know where to start? Well, fear not, I can help you prepare for your open water course and have fun as you become a certified diver.
Never Hold Your Breath!
One important rule to remember is to NEVER HOLD YOUR BREATH. It may seem odd breathing through your mouth at first but you do not want to hold your breath while diving. Holding your breath can trap air in your lungs which will expand when you ascend ( Go Up). Expanding air in your lungs due to holding your breath while going up can cause your lungs to over expand and could cause a lung over expansion injury. In severe cases a rupture of the lungs could occur which is life threatening. This is why the theory exists- to teach students all about the risks associated with Scuba diving- to be aware of the risks and how to mitigate them and how to dive responsibly and safely.
Breathe at Ease
Breath slow and deep so that you don’t run out of air quickly. Breathing like this can also deeply relax you and ensure that you will have a great experience.
Furthermore, do not swim too fast or exert yourself too much, this will make you very tired and you won’t have enough air left to explore the wonders of the sea.
Stay Calm and Don’t Panic Underwater
I know that diving for the first time is stressful which is absolutely normal but just try and remain calm and don’t panic underwater.
For your safety, always make sure you stay close to your instructor and dive buddy while diving.
Do Not Worry About Buying Diving Equipment
Do not worry about buying your own equipment, your instructor will provide you with all of that. All you need is yourself, your swimsuit, and a mindset for learning how to dive!
Ask Questions
Do not be afraid to ask questions. If you are struggling with a certain exercise let your instructor know so that you can practice it some more until you feel confident that you have mastered it.
Be Mentally and Physically Prepared
To ensure that you will have a good experience, be mentally and physically ready. You should get a good night’s sleep and eat a good meal before you begin your dive. Don’t forget to drink enough water so that you don’t get dehydrated!
The open water diving course may seem overwhelming at first with all the exercises you have to learn, but these exercises are necessary just in case of an emergency. Most of the dive consists of just enjoying yourself so relax.
Bring a Camera
If you own a GoPro do not forget to bring it with you so that you can capture every precious moment on camera. Be sure to equip your GoPro with the appropriate diving case designated for water depths up to 18meters.
Enjoy Yourself!
The most important thing of all is to have fun! Don’t stress out too much, diving is a wonderful experience that everyone should try.
