All divers start out as newbies. Few people are born with the talent for diving, and most of us need to accumulate experience and practice to improve our diving skills.
Some neutral masters can do it effortlessly in the water, and they may also be "underwater bulldozers" when they first start diving; those diving instructors who are proficient in blowing bubbles may not even understand how to use the regulator when they first start diving.
In other words, some things a diver does underwater may make him look like a "newbie". Being a newbie in diving is not something that should be despised, but there are some bad habits and mistakes that newbies can avoid.
Here are some tips for newbies to avoid the following "minefields" perfectly during the learning process.
Over-reliance on your equipment
Newbies often rely too much on low-pressure inflation valves and exhaust valves to control their descents and ascents. My instructor has told me many times, "Your BCD is not an elevator."
With practice, experience, and careful training, most divers can learn to control their buoyancy by breathing during a dive. Learn to use the inflator and deflate valves to a minimum during the initial descent, and deflate only in a controlled manner during the ascent.
Chasing Fish, Turtles, and Other Marine Animals
As you become a diver, you will soon discover that even the smallest fish can swim far away from you. Unfortunately, when some new divers spot a turtle or other interesting marine creature, they often chase it desperately until it scares it away.
In fact, the best way to get along with marine life is to stay as calm as possible during the dive.
Dive beyond your ability
Some categories of diving (deep diving, wreck diving, and cave diving) require special training and other conditions. You did learn a lot in the OW course, but you did not learn everything. As a new diver, you don't have to prove yourself to anyone, and you must pay full attention to your own safety.
If you feel uncomfortable underwater, do not dive any further. Stopping to adjust or ending the dive are better choices. Experienced divers will respect your choice.
If you cannot control your neutral or other skills, do not rush to try underwater photography. You can choose to learn advanced AOW and other specialty courses. These courses can help you improve your diving skills, enrich your diving experience, and make you more confident in diving.
In addition, you can also try different types of diving courses, such as dry suits, underwater photography, etc. These are actually courses that complement neutral buoyancy and underwater navigation specialties.
Unwilling to ask for help
It is not easy to move heavy diving equipment on a choppy sea or a swaying crab boat. Diving is a sport that requires a buddy. Remember to ask buddy to help when needed!
Similarly, some divers find it easier to put on and take off equipment in the water when diving on a boat. Then jump into the water with a mask, fins and snorkel, and ask the staff to give you the other equipment. This is a normal request, don't be embarrassed.
Strike and Bicycle Kick
Alas, we are not born with fins. Strike with your arms may work well in the pool, but it is not always the case when scuba diving. Strike and bicycle kick are the signature moves of new divers.
In just one weekend, taking the PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty course can help you improve your diving posture, extend your dive time and reduce the weight you carry.
Bumping or Grabbing
Whether intentionally or unintentionally, new divers may bump into coral reefs. One of the golden rules of diving is to look and don’t touch, which not only protects divers from unnecessary injuries, but also protects the underwater environment.
Using Inappropriate/Unfamiliar Equipment
Using inappropriate equipment or being unfamiliar with the equipment yourself will indicate to others that you are a new diver. In fact, there is nothing wrong with renting equipment from a dive shop. Whether you rent it or buy it yourself, you have to know how to use it properly.
Not knowing how to use your own computer and the equipment is too large will bring hidden dangers to your dive. Many experienced divers also have a set of diving equipment that suits them in the process of continuous diving. You can also take the PADI equipment expert specialty course to solve the confusion about equipment issues. (It only takes one day to complete.)
Want to see the underwater world in one day
Many enthusiastic newbies are very anxious and want to see the entire underwater world in one go and want to stay underwater for a longer time. Little do they know that there are actually many benefits to slowing down: not only can you save gas, but you can also dive more comfortably.
In fact, this mentality is very common, but diving is actually a sport that you can love for a lifetime. Sometimes slowing down to enjoy every dive is the right way for divers.
Written at the end
BWRAF, which I taught when I was in OW,
Remember not to forget it before each dive!
Everyone starts from a diving novice, so there is no need to judge other people's diving level. For us, the more people contact, participate and share the beauty of the underwater world, the happier we will be.
Compared with other sports,
Diving always opens a friendly door to beginners.
Such happiness, are you not moved yet?
