As a diving instructor with over 10
years of experience, I can tell you that I've encountered all sorts of people
during my training sessions. Some seem to be natural born divers, while others
may take a while before they get accustomed to all the intricacies of the
sport.
To the uninitiated, scuba diving can
often appear to be a piece of cake, something that can be mastered in half an
hour. But there's a reason why even the most basic PADI courses (that's
Professional Association of Diving Instructors for all you newbies) can require
days or even weeks to complete. But all that hard work and financial investment
pays off massively because, once you're certified, you can go anywhere in the
world and practice scuba diving at a level appropriate for your certification.
That being said, there are a few key
pointers that all beginners should be aware of before their first diving
session:
Breathing
First off, and this may sound
obvious, but I've seen plenty of newbies try to hold their breath underwater,
probably by force of habit after being accustomed to doing so in the water
while swimming. This, however, is strictly forbidden in scuba diving due to the
dangers of over-pressurization, so make sure you breathe normally through your
mouthpiece, just like you would on the surface.
Food,
Alcohol and Tobacco
Secondly, stay away alcohol and
tobacco on the day of your session, and wait for at least two hours after
eating before you commence diving.
Physical
fitness
Finally, be sure that you're
physically fit enough to go scuba diving, as the sport can be surprisingly
demanding on your body. You don't have to be Superman to do it, but you should
definitely consider taking a medical test beforehand to
ensure that you're health is good enough for diving purposes.
Another thing to keep in mind is
that all dive spots are not created equally. Obviously, you can't expect to
find the same kind of underwater life in the Black Sea that you would in the
Great Barrier Reef, but there's more to it than that. Every spot has its own
particular level of visibility, and diving locations can range from easy to
difficult depending on a whole host of factors. Moreover, these characteristics
are all subject to change according to things like weather patterns and tidal fluctuations.
I'm currently based in Bali, so most
of my knowledge is applicable to this part of the globe. Nevertheless, there
are some wondrous dive spots to be found here. Not all are suitable for
beginners, but if you've got a few diving hours under your belt, you can really
have a blast here. My favorite diving spot is Tulamben, blessed with rich
corals and a diverse aquamarine life, among other notable sites. Quite literally, you can send
postcards to the folks back home while diving!
Truth be told, in a place like Bali
it's almost impossible not to have the time of your life while scuba diving as
long as you stay safe. Keep in mind that visibility levels can vary throughout
the year, so make sure you do some research beforehand in order to pick the
perfect time to start your scuba diving adventures. Chances are you'll love it
so much you'll be back for more in no time.
**This is a guest post.
Labels: diving, diving safety concerns, fun activities, lifestyle, safety, scuba diving, water activities
