If you’re thinking of getting qualified to dive or have just got your certification, there are some things to keep in mind. Diving is an amazing hobby, but there is also a very serious side to it. As a beginner it’s very important to focus and learn. As you gain more experience everything will start to become second nature. Here are our 7 essential tips for beginner divers.

1. Always listen to your instructor

This is number 1 on the list because it truly is the most important. As a beginner your instructor’s word is law and you must never, ever think you know better. Gangga Divers at Lotus Bungalows has professional instructors and guides with years of experience under their belts. They know what they are doing and how to keep you safe.

2. Know the material

When you are studying to get your dive qualification you will be learning a lot of new things. Scuba skills aren’t necessarily things you need in any other situation. This means you will need to really concentrate and take in the material. If you don’t know the material, your dive instructor won’t allow you to get in the water so it is very important. On Gangga Divers PADI courses you can use the e-learning system to get your coursework done even before you get in the classroom. This is the best way to give yourself ample time to really take it in.

3. Ask lots of questions

It is imperative that you ask questions whenever they come up even if you think they are silly. There are many situations you will face whilst diving that you may not know exactly what to do. However, with the right training, you will know the safest course of action. This means that you should be asking questions whenever you aren’t sure of something so you can fill in any gaps in your diving knowledge.

4. Be patient

Some new divers want to get straight in the water and think they’ll know just what to do straight away. We can tell you now that this is never the case. Scuba diving is something you have to learn both out of the water and in it. You will need time, experience, and to make mistakes. It can be a long process, but the more time you take to learn correct procedures, the safer your diving experience will be. So, be patient with yourself and others.

5. Stay close

One of the most important rules of diving at any stage is staying with a buddy. This is so important because in certain situations you are each other’s lifeline. Whilst learning to dive, it is especially important that you don’t stray from your instructor or dive buddy. You might get distracted by all the underwater beauty, but remember, your safety and the safety of the group is much more important than following a beautiful fish somewhere away from safety.

6. Relax

It is very common to feel nervous or ‘wound up’ before dives. This is the adrenaline in your body getting ready to do something unfamiliar, challenging, and exciting. Learning to relax and use this feeling to motivate your dives rather than fuel worry is very important. Take deep breaths, think of all the wonderful things you are going to see, and enjoy all the new sensations in the water. You will soon feel weightless, gliding through spectacular seascapes.

7. Stay hydrated

This may seem like a silly tip, as many people assume being in water is intrinsically hydrating. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. You can become very dehydrated while diving, especially in a climate like Bali’s. Most people don’t drink enough water on a normal day, so drinking enough while diving can be tough. Keep sipping water throughout the day starting when you wake up in the morning, on the boat, and after returning to Lotus Bungalows Candidasa post-dive. You should be drinking at least 2 litres a day if not more.

Diving is much more than just getting in the water and swimming around. There is much to learn and think about, especially when you are just starting out. Thankfully, Gangga Divers instructors are excellent at getting you started in the classroom and in the water. They will help you every step of the way, even reminding you to breathe, and drink water. Soon it will all come as second nature and you can simply enjoy the incredible undersea world.

Are you thinking about learning to dive or are you new to diving? Let us know any worries you have. Or perhaps you are an experienced diver. What would you tell new divers? Leave a comment in the box below.