From First Dive to Mermaid Life: Beginners guide for Scuba Diving

MARCH 31, 2024 WRITTEN BY: JULIA COX

Authors Own (2023)

Are you deciding if you want to begin the ultimate adventure beneath the waves with scuba diving? Scuba Diving is an exhilarating activity that unlocks the mysteries of the deep, from the vibrant coral reefs to the silhouettes of sunken ships, scuba diving is your passport to a world few have the chance to see. This guide will help all beginner scuba divers with the essential knowledge they need to know before embarking on their underwater adventures, bringing them one step closer to living the mermaid dream! So take a deep breath and let the pull of the sea guide you into a world beyond your wildest dreams.

Authors Own (2023)

I began my diving journey when I was just 12 years old, and since then, I’ve earned my advanced and nitrox certifications. Diving has become a passionate hobby for my family and I; it’s something we enjoy together. This shared passion has deepened my connection to the ocean, marine life, and nature, giving me a reason to travel to new and exciting destinations and making memories with my own scuba diving buddies! If you’re considering diving into the world of scuba, I hope the insights shared here inspire you. Your scuba diving journey starts here!

---

Dive Courses

PADI (2024) PADI Dive Course Layout

Everyone has their own dive journey; If you’re on the fence about diving, dip your toes in with the Discover Scuba course. Ready to dive deeper? The Open Water course is your first step into the certified dive community. PADI is the leading scuba diving organization globally; with a certification from them, you’re equipped to dive anywhere in the world. Earning your Open Water certification opens up a world of scuba diving adventures. From wreck and cave diving to night and shark diving, the possibilities are endless, depending on your certification level and comfort. Each dive offers a unique experience and story, paving the way for you to embark on real dive trips with other passionate divers like yourself.

Nautilus Dive Adventures and Authors Own (2023)

---

Equipment

Authors Own (2023)

The number one rule in scuba diving is to always breathe when diving! To do so, we need the necessary equipment to have a safe and comfortable experience. Scuba diving can be pricey, leading divers to ponder: rent or buy gear? While you can usually rent everything you need from dive shops, owning your own mask and fins is very beneficial. They’re easy to pack and versatile, useful for not just diving but also snorkeling and free diving. Below you will find the top five essential equipment any beginner diver should have.

1. Mask

Without a mask, diving can be a blur—literally. Our eyes can’t adjust to underwater light refraction, blurring our vision. Scuba masks correct this, providing clear views and protecting our eyes from water, thus preventing discomfort or panic. Given that you’ll be diving with the mask up to three times daily on trips, you want to choose a mask that fits you comfortably.

2. Wetsuit

As divers, we get to explore all sorts of climates, from the chilly depths to the warm, tropical waters. To ensure each dive is as enjoyable as possible, selecting the right style of wetsuit is crucial, as it can also impact buoyancy. But a wetsuit is much more than a thermal layer; think of it as a suit of armor. It shields you from potential hazards like scrapes, cuts, or stings, allowing you to focus on the beauty around you. Interestingly, in tropical waters, wetsuits can sometimes make you feel too warm. In such cases, dry suits are a fantastic alternative, providing the same level of protection without the added heat, allowing for a comfortable and safeguarded dive experience. Understanding how to take care of your wetsuit is important, ensuring they’re always ready to perform when you dive

3. Fins

Fins aren’t just for our fishy friends. Depending on your dive journey, there’s a type of fin for every adventure. They allow us to glide through the water like one of our friends without tiring us out and going through our air supply quickly. Getting savvy with different finning techniques saves us energy and keeps us down there to enjoy the colorful wildlife.

4. BCD

Have you ever seen photos of scuba divers floating effortlessly in the ocean and wondered how? Well, it’s because of their buoyancy compensator (BCD). The BCD allows divers to help manage buoyancy underwater, preventing them from ascending or descending too quickly. Every beginner diver should know all the components of a BCD to have a more enjoyable dive.

5. Regulator

Breathing underwater makes you feel like a mermaid, thanks to the scuba regulator. It’s the heart of dive gear, making air from your tank breathable. A regulator has five parts: it connects your tank, BCD, and SPG. It important for the diver to check their gauges regularly to see how much air they have left for the dive. Every diver should know how to clean their regulator. Neglect can lead to malfunction, which is the last thing you want happening deep underwater. That’s precisely why divers carry an octopus, ensuring a backup for those just-in-case moments underwater.

Setting Up Equipment:

Every diver must master setting up their scuba gear, as it’s your essential lifeline underwater. A detailed pre-dive check is essential to identify any potential issues with you or your dive buddies‘ equipment before diving. Knowing how to properly set up your equipment is important for a successful dive. Check out the video below for a guide on how to set up your equipment.

WatchMojo (2011) How to Assemble Equipment

---

Dive Signals

Transitioning from chatting with your dive buddy above water to communicating silently beneath the surface can be a big leap for new divers. In the PADI Open Water Diver course, instructors cover all the essential hand signals from directions, spotting marine life, identifying hazards, seeking help and expressing how much air you have left. My dive buddies and I even create our own signals, adding a fun, personal twist to our underwater conversations. It’s a unique way to stay connected and enhance the diving experience! The video below will cover the common hand signals.

Common Scuba Diving Hand Signals (2017)

---

Scuba Diving Risks

Authors Own (2023)

Scuba diving is an exhilarating activity, but like any adventure, scuba diving comes with risks. From equipment failures to hazards underwater, new divers need to understand the potential dangers before becoming certified. There are many common dive risks but the top four are listed below.

Decompression Sickness:

Decompression Sickness, or “The Bends,” hits when divers shoot up too fast from deep dives. Diving makes your body absorb nitrogen from the air you breathe. Rush the ascent, and that nitrogen turns into bubbles in your bloodstream, bringing pain and discomfort symptoms. That’s why understanding dive time tables and knowing your limits is key to keeping the good times rolling underwater.

Barotrauma:

Barotrauma is a common risk for scuba divers caused by underwater pressure changes in your ears. Symptoms can include pain, fluid buildup, and even hearing loss. It’s often due to not equalizing ear pressure correctly during descent. If you can’t equalize your ears after many attempts, I recommend canceling the dive.

Nitrogen Narcosis:

Nitrogen narcosis occurs when dividing deeper, which increases nitrogen absorption in the bloodstream due to higher pressure, leading to nitrogen narcosis. This condition slows down the nervous system, potentially causing a dangerous impairment of judgment underwater. Symptoms can include slowed brain functions as nitrogen interacts with the brain’s fat tissues. Watch for signs of narcosis to ensure a safe dive.

Marine Life Hazards:

Diving into the ocean for the first time is like stepping into another universe. Everything changes the moment you go below the surface—it’s a whole new world down there! You’ll want to see everything, big and small. But here’s a piece of wisdom every diver picks up on pretty quickly: “Look but don’t touch.” This phrase isn’t just about respecting our ocean friends by maintaining peace—it’s also a safety rule. Some marine creatures, as beautiful as they are, can be incredibly toxic. So, while you dive into this mesmerizing world, remember to admire its beauty from a safe distance. Below are the nine most toxic marine creatures you could see while diving.

Nine Toxic Marine Creatures

---

Welcome to the Dive Family

Authors Own (2023)

Once you’ve completed your open water dive course, you’ve just unlocked the doors to endless dives and unforgettable memories, connecting you with fellow divers around the globe. You’re now part of a community that cherishes the ocean’s depths, its mysteries, and its beauty. Hope to see you in the water soon and welcome to the Dive family!

---

• ShareCopied to clipboard

References

50ftbelow (2018) The basics of controlling your buoyancy EP. 1 | improve your buoyancy | scuba advice, YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8j2du7GEC8 (Accessed: 29 March 2024).

Adrenalin (2019) The different styles of scuba diving fins, Adrenalin Snorkel & Dive. Available at: https://adrenalindive.com.au/the-different-styles-of-scuba-diving-fins/#:~:text=There%20are%20many%20different%20styles,are%20the%20simplest%20in%20design. (Accessed: 29 March 2024).

Aquaadmin (2019) How to select the right mask for scuba diving: Aqua-marina, My CMS. Available at: https://aqua-marina.com/mask-choosing-the-right-one/#:~:text=The%20Negative%20Pressure%20Test&text=You%20place%20the%20mask%20over,fit’%20you%20in%20the%20water. (Accessed: 29 March 2024).

Common scuba diving hand signals (2017) YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRRvlTRWNsg (Accessed: 30 March 2024).

Dan (2020) Beat the squeeze: Equalize like A pro, Divers Alert Network. Available at: https://dan.org/health-medicine/health-resource/smart-guides/beat-the-squeeze-equalize-like-a-pro/ (Accessed: 29 March 2024).

DEMA (2024) 2024 diving fast facts. Available at: https://www.dema.org/store/download.aspx?id=7811B097-8882-4707-A160-F999B49614B6 (Accessed: 30 March 2024).

Denny, M. (2022) How to scuba dive: A guide for beginners [with photos], [WITH PHOTOS]. Available at: https://blog.padi.com/how-to-scuba-dive/ (Accessed: 29 March 2024).

Denny, M. (2024) Padi courses, PADI Blog – Scuba Diving and Freediving Tips, Dive Travel Insights & More. Available at: https://blog.padi.com/padi-courses/ (Accessed: 29 March 2024).

Diver360 (2019) Six finning techniques to master, Underwater360. Available at: https://www.uw360.asia/finning-techniques-scuba-diving-kicking/ (Accessed: 29 March 2024).

Donald, I. (2017) How varying wetsuit thickness effects buoyancy throughout the dive for freediving and spearfishing, FreediveUK. Available at: https://www.freediveuk.com/how-varying-wetsuit-thickness-effects-buoyancy-throughout-the-dive-for-freediving-and-spearfishing/ (Accessed: 29 March 2024).

Dry suits (2024) PADI. Available at: https://www.padi.com/gear/dry-suits (Accessed: 29 March 2024).

EE (2024) Dive signs quiz: Steam activities, Encounter Edu. Available at: https://encounteredu.com/take-action/dive-signs-quiz (Accessed: 30 March 2024).

Fogarolo (2023) Discover the enigmatic sea snakes: Fascinating creatures of the Ocean, Diving liveaboard in Thailand and Myanmar. Available at: https://www.thesmilingseahorse.com/blog/discover-the-enigmatic-sea-snakes-fascinating-creatures-of-the-ocean (Accessed: 30 March 2024).

Matt (2013) Scubadivejamaica: Why are scuba diving fins so important?, Scuba Dive Jamaica. Available at: http://www.scubadivejamaica.com/why-are-scuba-diving-fins-so-important/ (Accessed: 29 March 2024).

Newman, S. (2021) Blue-ringed octopus facts, habitat, life cycle, Venom, pictures, Animal Spot. Available at: https://www.animalspot.net/blue-ringed-octopus.html (Accessed: 30 March 2024).

PADI Courses (2024) Mastering hand signals for scuba diving, Scuba Junkie Sipadan. Available at: https://www.scuba-junkie.com/hand-signals-for-scuba-diving/#:~:text=Hand%20signals%20are%20an%20essential,world%20to%20understand%20each%20other. (Accessed: 30 March 2024).

Schofield, D. (2023) Toxic marine life species: Look but don’t touch, Toxic Marine Life Species: Look But Don’t Touch. Available at: https://blog.padi.com/toxic-critters/ (Accessed: 30 March 2024).

scuba (2023) Buoyancy compensators (BCD) in Scuba diving – scuba.com. Available at: https://www.scuba.com/blog/buoyancy-compensators-bcd-guide/ (Accessed: 29 March 2024).

Scuba (2023) What is nitrogen narcosis? what you need to know – scuba.com. Available at: https://www.scuba.com/blog/dealing-nitrogen-narcosis-2/ (Accessed: 29 March 2024).

Seattle Aquarium (2024) Pufferfish and Porcupinefish, Seattle Aquarium. Available at: https://www.seattleaquarium.org/animal/pufferfish-and-porcupinefish/ (Accessed: 30 March 2024).

Uwkwaj (2022) Textile cone (conus textile), iNaturalist. Available at: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/109875236 (Accessed: 30 March 2024).

Wagner, K.V. (2018) Caribbean lionfish predicament: Living Oceans Global Reef Expedition, Living Oceans Foundation. Available at: https://www.livingoceansfoundation.org/the-lionfish-predicament/ (Accessed: 30 March 2024).

Waikiki (2020) Box jelly, Waikīkī Aquarium. Available at: https://www.waikikiaquarium.org/experience/animal-guide/invertebrates/jellies/box-jellies/ (Accessed: 30 March 2024).

watchmojo (2011) Scuba diving: How to assemble equipment, YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeTVGYT-O2w (Accessed: 29 March 2024).

Wetsuit (2024) Education. Available at: https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/wetsuit/ (Accessed: 29 March 2024).

Wetsuit care instructions: How to wash and clean your wetsuit? (2022) O’Neill UK. Available at: https://uk.oneill.com/blogs/all/wetsuit-wash-and-care-instructions#:~:text=Rinse%20your%20wetsuit%20in%20fresh,the%20fabric’s%20flexibility%20and%20durability. (Accessed: 29 March 2024).

Wetsuits (no date) PADI. Available at: https://www.padi.com/gear/wetsuits#:~:text=There%20are%204%20different%20wetsuit,from%20cuts%2C%20scrapes%20and%20stings. (Accessed: 29 March 2024).

Wormald, S. (2022) How do you breathe while scuba diving?, PADI Blog – Scuba Diving and Freediving Tips, Dive Travel Insights & More. Available at: https://blog.padi.com/how-do-you-breathe-while-scuba-diving/ (Accessed: 29 March 2024).