Candice LandauLast Updated on October 8, 2024 by Candice Landau
This article is part of a larger series on scuba diving tips for beginners. It’s a product of hard-earned knowledge as a result of the many years I spent taking courses, assisting dive instructors and teaching scuba diving myself. If you’re a new diver and have concerns, please contact me. I’m happy to help, or to answer your question in an article on my site. In the meantime, happy reading!
Other tips for beginners include:
- You WILL learn to clear your mask (+ the how-to if you struggle)
No matter how many times people tell you you’ll get used to breathing underwater (you will), it’s still a seriously weird feeling to start with. This is especially true if you’re using a dive shop regulator that probably doesn’t have the breathing quality of the one you buy new. Just wait. When you buy your own new regulator (I’d advise that) you’ll be blown away by how easy it feels to breathe—I know I was.
>> Related Reading: What It Feels Like to Scuba Dive
Most of us were at least a little nervous when we did our first open water checkout dives, or anxious during our first pool dives. You will get over this. It’s just like learning to ride a bike. At first it feels clunky and weird and like you’re not in control, and then it becomes easy. Easier even than a bike as you get to enjoy a feeling of weightlessness.
So, when I say embrace the unknown, I mean know that you will be uncomfortable and that’s exactly as it should be. The people who are more comfortable right from the start won’t necessarily make the best divers, or be the people who get “hooked”—I’ve taught plenty of nervous students who end up becoming obsessed aficionados of the sport, even instructors themselves. Be kind to yourself. Be uncomfortable. Keep trying. You will get it.
My first drysuit dive happened the evening before my Advanced Open Water checkout. I had only been certified a month before hand, only had 6 dives under my belt, and was deeply anxious about doing my course in a drysuit. Did it turn out fine? Yes. Was I anxious? Yes. Did I know what to expect? No (it was a drysuit checkout, not a drysuit certification so I hadn’t read a book). That weekend, was a weekend of man firsts: first night dive (scary but wonderful), first deep dive (my favorite of them all though was so anxious before), and first dive with a buddy on my own.
>> Related Reading: The Draw of the Deep
In fact, I’d go so far as to say being uncomfortable and not knowing is what makes the journey so special. You’ll learn so much. You’ll raise the bar for what you know you can do. You’ll get to see things most other people will only ever read about seeing.
Simply put, embarking on an adventure into the unknown is the best thing that could happen to you.
