Top 10 Beginner Scuba Diving Mistakes
Most beginner scuba divers are very excited about exploring the beauty of the underwater world. They usually want to try something new after they get certified from their scuba diving courses. However, many beginners do a lot of mistakes that can cause dangerous effects on themselves. You need to know some of these mistakes, so you will never have to get any problems with these mistakes. Here are the top 10 scuba diving mistakes that are commonly done by many beginner scuba divers today.
A. RUSHING TO KEEP UP WITH ANY OTHER EXPERIENCED DIVERS
You should never push yourself to keep up with some other experienced divers. It is a good idea for you to take some time for learning about your gear and how you can control yourself when you are doing this scuba diving activity. Once you are in the water, you can descend slowly to stay stable and relaxed in the water. A good diver is usually a relaxed diver.
B. NOT INVESTING IN YOUR PERSONAL GEAR
Many beginner divers don't think about investing in their personal gears. It is another common mistake that every beginner diver makes. Your own diving gear will fit your body, so you can be familiar with this gear. You can visit the official website of PADI for learning about some important and valuable pieces of scuba diving equipment.
Cold Water Winter Wetsuits for Scuba Diving
C. NOT WATCHING THE AIR CONSUMPTION
This is another common mistake that is commonly done by many beginner scuba divers. New divers usually ignore their air-pressure gauge. This is a fatal mistake because the air is the most important thing for a diver. You always want to check the air level at all times, so you should never neglect this important thing. Don't forget to take a note of how much air you are going to consume, so you can estimate the total air you will need every time you dive into the water.
D. DOING TOO MANY THINGS UNDER THE WATER
Many beginner scuba divers are very interested and excited about their new experience. Many of them want to take pictures or shooting videos while they are doing this scuba diving activity. As a new diver, you should be familiar with the environment first before you can do many things at the same time. You need to ensure that you are comfortable enough with your scuba diving activity.
E. DELAY YOUR FIRST DIVING EXPERIENCE AFTER THE CERTIFICATION
It is highly recommended for you to dive as soon as possible after you get certified from the scuba diving program. When you delay your diving activity, you are going to lose some of your diving skills. Don't forget to review all of the PADI materials that you receive from the course. These materials can help you learn about some necessary procedures during your scuba diving activity.
F. LACK OF THE SITUATIONAL AWARENESS LEVEL
When you do your scuba diving activity, you should always be aware of the environment. New divers usually focus on 1 - 2 specific things, for example, their diving equipment or the beauty of marine life. In most cases, they are going to miss the bigger picture. This situation will be dangerous when it is left for a long time. You need to be aware of your depth level and the position of the other divers. It will help you stay focused and concentrate on your scuba diving activity.
G. DEFLATING OR INFLATING THE BCD FREQUENTLY
In the diving course, you are going to learn how you can inflate and also deflate the BCD (buoyancy compensator device) for your safety purposes. However, many beginner scuba divers deflate or inflate their BCD too often when they are underwater. You need to check the BCD condition before you enter the water. Your buoyancy level is also affected by some changes in your weight, water salinity, and also the wetsuit thickness.
H. ASCENDING TO THE WATER SURFACE TOO RAPIDLY
This is another common diving mistake that many newbie divers usually do. It can cause serious impacts when it happens. When you ascend to the water surface too quickly, you are going to have some difficulties in controlling your movement. Even when you are in panic while underwater, you should make a slow movement to the surface. The recommended ascending rate is usually about 16-18 meters per minute.
I. LACK OF DIVE GEAR MAINTENANCE
Your scuba diving gear can be considered the most important part of supporting your scuba diving activity. All of your gears should be ensured that they are in good condition. They need to function well before you start using them. Every time you dive, you need to ensure that all of your diving gears are well-maintained. You can read the manual instructions from these gears, so you can do some maintenance procedures on these gears safely.
J. DIVING WHEN THEY ARE FEELING UNWELL
Many beginner scuba divers neglect their health condition. Many of them still want to enjoy their scuba diving activity, although they are sick or feel unwell. However, this situation will be very dangerous for you. When you feel sick, you will get some serious health consequences or even death. It is highly recommended for you to skip your scuba diving activity when you feel sick.