Slowly Ascend
from Every Dive
some tips on Scuba Diving
Hawaii
Diver's Ed Hawaii
Tips to
help you be a Safe Scuba Diver
Focusing on your accomplishments instead of your mistakes makes you more energetic, more enthusiastic, more alert, and healthier.
You've probably seen photos, television and films about diving, but until you go diving yourself, you can't really understand what it is like. Most people find learning scuba diving a fun challenge that's neither effortless or overly arduous. When the dive bell sounds, here's how to be cool, calm and collected rather than chicken of the sea little-ish
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As a minimum, you want your own mask, snorkel and fins when you start diving lessons. But don't buy them in a hurry, take your time selecting gear that fits you well and works good for you. You will be more relaxed using gear that fits you well.
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During descent, water pressure increases and compresses the air in your body air spaces. This is called a "squeeze". You may have felt a squeeze in your ears when swimming to the bottom of a swimming pool. The air spaces in your ears are the most sensitive to increasing pressure, but you can easily equalize them. To do this, pinch your nose shut and gently blow against it with your mouth closed. Never continue to descend if you can't equalize.
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Some people find they have a natural tendency to hold their breath when they first begin scuba diving lessons, but this tendency must be changed. The lungs can be injured by even slight pressure changes if you hold your breath. So, it's important to always breathe continually when using scuba, even in shallow water. The most important rule in scuba diving is to never hold your breath.
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Always dive with a buddy who stays nearby at all times. You and your buddy have a responsibility to each other. For the buddy system to work, you and your buddy must take it seriously and work at staying together underwater. So develop the habit and start practicing the buddy system.
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A proper ascent has five steps; 1. You and your buddy signal each other and agree to ascend. 2. Note the time of your ascent. 3. Hold your right hand over your head so you don't run into anything, and hold up your BCD exhaust control with your left, to keep your ascent under control. 4. Look up and around to make sure the area above you is clear. 5. Swim up slowly, at a rate no faster than your smallest bubbles.
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Avoid diving in large and rough surf. Not only can it be hazardous, but the dive conditions tend to be poor anyway. Evaluate the surf conditions before you enter the water.
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Whether you dive in fresh or salt water, you may encounter places you can swim that don't permit you to swim straight up to the surface. Examples include shipwrecks, under ice and in caves or caverns. These are called overhead environments. Do not enter any overhead environment unless you have the training and equipment you need.
