All of us love to experience new and exciting adventures. However, a few people need an extra push to feel completely safe before attempting something new, which is why many of us fear extreme adventures, such as scuba diving. It is common to come across people who hesitate to scuba dive or experience mesmerizing under-water life. Although they want to explore aquatic life and become a part of the scuba diving community, they feel anxious and unprepared to go underwater. People who have done their homework before attempting their scuba diving adventure feel relaxed and are ready for their first experience. Here are a few things to expect on your first scuba diving adventure!
It Is Not Completely Quiet Down There
Many people believe scuba diving is a silent and peaceful diving experience. Although it does offer tranquility to soothe your nerves, there is some degree of noise. Some people find breathing underwater to be quite uncomfortable and noisy. You feel more at ease when you are familiar with the bubbling sound of exhalation and the whoosh of air as you inhale air. As sound waves travel faster in water, they are likely to reach your ear almost immediately. You may need some time to adjust to it if you are scuba diving the first time. Breathing underwater is a strange feeling at first. However, it becomes better once you get used to it.
Underwater Vision
Many first-timers fear claustrophobia when they are under water. Most scuba masks cut off your peripheral vision that leads to a feeling of being confined in the water. If you fail to see your instructor, look on your right, left, up or down direction to find him. Moreover, owing to the physics of underwater light transmission, everything appears magnified.
Objects also appear around 33% closer than they are. However, your brain is quick to adjust to this difference, and some first-timers will not even notice it. You can speed up your learning process by reaching out to touch objects, such as your diving buddy. Make sure you avoid touching aquatic life, such as fish and corals.
Movement and Weightlessness
Another great thing about scuba diving is the feeling of being weightless in water. Scuba divers have a lot of freedom to move up or down or in any direction, which is one of the most relaxing things about scuba diving. When you stop fighting the water and relax into the weightless feeling of the water, you allow the water and your buoyancy compensator (a.k.a buoyancy control device) to support you. You can also remain still to enjoy the freedom of gravity and weightlessness.
Bonus Tips!
While scuba diving is a memorable experience, it can also lead to unexpected events when you don’t pay attention to little things. Here are a few tips to give you a better understanding of how to go about your first scuba diving adventure:
1) Scuba diving is not a race. Do not compete with your diving instructor who is a professional and expert scuba diver. When you take things slowly and steadily, you consume air more efficiently and have more fun.
2) You should clean out your mask with toothpaste before using it for the first time.
3) Learn about your diving buddy a bit before going underwater with him. Professional scuba divers encourage you to communicate with them, so you establish trust and friendship with them, particularly if it’s your first time.
4) Practice breathing slowly and focus on it before diving, which is important, so you don’t consume too much air too quickly.
5) Avoid drinking excessive alcohol before you plan your dive trip. Scuba diving with a hangover will make you feel worse, nauseated and seasick. Moreover, you will miss out on enjoying the beautiful scenic life underwater.
6) Don’t fly for 24 hours after a scuba diving session.
Final Thoughts
You may take some time to assemble your gear. Listen to your diving instructor carefully before taking the plunge. Remember to perform each step carefully and pay close attention to your surroundings. Descend gradually and equalize every few feet. Make sure you dial in your buoyancy when you get down.
Most important of all, however, is don’t push yourself for a dive unless you don’t feel mentally and physically prepared for it!
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
Create an account to