There is a whole world underwater that many people are unaware of. In fact, more than thirds of our entire planet is underwater. It is home to hundreds of thousands of animals and plants, and because we are always on land, we can never see these life forms in their natural habitat; unless you decide to take a trip below the surface and see what is out there. Imagine all the underwater vistas, coral formations, lush aquatic plants, and exotic wildlife that await you if you can strap on some scuba gear and venture to the world below. If you’re a thrill seeker who loves to explore new things, scuba diving might be the activity that injects some adrenaline to your next vacation. However, you never want to jump into anything cold, so take a look at these tips for beginning scuba divers.
Get Training
Like any activity, you want to do your due diligence and receive adequate training before you jump right into it. Doing this will help you learn any nuances you need to be aware of and fully prepare you for when you actually go for your underwater adventure. Make sure to learn all the dos and don’ts so that you avoid making critical mistakes. Also, in addition to your training, research the particular course you are looking to go. You want to know which companies are good to go with and whether or not they have a good reputation for safety and professionalism. These questions will only benefit you in the long run and make your experience smoother and much more enjoyable.
Go When You’re Healthy
You never want to compromise your health for an adventure, so make sure that before you go for your first excursion, you are fully healthy and ready to go. Those who have a sinus infection, breathing problems or any other kind of significant illness might want to postpone your first sea venture until you are feeling more sea-worthy. Specifically with sinus problems, even going down a depth of twenty to thirty feet can cause enough pressure on your ears to create discomfort. Also, if you are someone who is prone to seasickness, you will want to start taking seasickness pills up to twelve to twenty-four hours before you get on the boat because you want to build the medication into your bloodstream.
Relax
This point cannot be stressed enough. While it is true that you are strapping up strange gear, squeezing into a rubber suit, and jumping into unchartered territories, you shouldn’t let your adrenaline get the best of you. You will have a trained, licensed, and experienced diver who has done this many times, so you should be able to trust them. Plus, when you start getting anxious or over-excited, you start to breathe more rapidly which quickly limits your oxygen supply. You don’t want to cut your dive short due to hyperventilation. So, take it easy, trust your instructor, and enjoy the ride. You will thank yourself when it’s all over.
Rodney Aziz originally published this article on his website.
