Scuba diving, or rather, the thought of breathing underwater can be intimidatingScuba diving for beginners on Oahu can be quite challengingAfter all, as humans, we are bound to become rather apprehensive when stepping into the unknownFortunately, if you are a beginner at scuba diving, you have nothing to worry aboutWe have listed 5 helpful tips for first-time scuba divers on Oahu! Have a look!
Tip 1: Of Course, You Must Learn To Breathe
Before diving into the ocean, it is advisable for you to focus your mind on breathingDoing this will keep your mind calm and prevent it from wandering aroundYou can also consider taking a few meditation classes to help you practice continuous, steady breathing, allowing you to breathe properly in difficult situationsBreathing slowly will help you relax and control your buoyancy better.
Tip 2: Always Be Prepared with Spares
Scuba diving requires extensive planningAnd, there is always the chance of something going wrong on the tripFor instance, your gear could stop functioning during the trip; your mask straps or fin straps could break and ruin your entire adventureTherefore, it is advisable for you to bring spares along with you to the tripTalking about spares, you should especially carry along an extra mask defog, spare o-rings, and tank o-rings as these gear are quite fragile and can break easily.
Tip 3: Surface Carefully
Diving correctly is undoubtedly important, but it is also essential for you to surface carefullyThe general rule of thumb implies that you should come up at a minimum speed of at least 30 feet per minuteSo, how do you know if you are surfacing carefully? Well, you shouldn’t travel faster than the slowest bubbles you’re exhalingIt is also advisable for you to do a safety stop at 15 feet.
Tip 4: Don’t Panic
No matter what happens, you should never panic when in the waterYou should understand that you do not have the luxury of getting emotional when in the waterYou will only put yourself and others in harm if you panic, cry and rush to the surfaceYou should consider holding an eye contact with your partner if you feel that you are starting to get worked upDoing this will help calm your heart rate.
Tip 5: Extra Tips
It is dangerous for you to go diving in a big groupIf you do so, it can get extremely difficult for the instructor to manage the groupYou should also know that you lose a lot of water when you diveHence, it is of paramount importance for you to drink plenty of water before and after your diving sessionsJust because you’re surrounded by water doesn´t mean that you won’t need to hydrateAfter all, scuba diving is a form of exercise that is more exhausting than you thinkIf you are one who gets dizzy during boat rides, it is recommended for you to take dizziness pills.
