Tips for Scuba Diving Introduction:
Tips for Scuba Diving. Firstly discovering the underwater world through scuba diving on the Gold Coast, Australia, is an incredibly thrilling experience. The majestic Pacific Ocean offers some unmatched natural beauty, and the region has many interesting marine life to witness. Several popular sites on the Gold Coast for scuba diving and snorkelling providing you with an opportunity to experience the thrill of an exciting adventure that will be forever memorable.
At Aqua Adventures, we organise guided tours for scuba diving and snorkelling on the Gold Coast. We have fully equipped diving boats with certified instructors and provide you with high-quality scuba diving gear on the Gold Coast.
In this blog, we look at some safety tips to keep in mind when you go scuba diving.
Learn About Your Dive Site
Every dive site is different and unique. In preparation for scuba diving, make sure you learn about the dive site more. Find out about the weather conditions, ocean currents, visibility, and marine life. Ask if there are any particular safety measures you need to take.
Dive With a Certified Diving School
Whether scuba diving on the Gold Coast or snorkelling with whales, we will always suggest doing such activities with a certified diving school. They have certified instructors, well-equipped diving boats, and specialised equipment to ensure a completely safe experience.
Double Check Your Gear
You can either buy your own equipment or rent out scuba diving gear on the Gold Coast. But in both cases, it is important always to do a safety check before your dive. Carefully look at your diving gear and inspect for any tears, faulty zippers, weak straps, or cracked buckles. Also, remember to check the functionality of your regulator tanks and air gauges.
Have a Dive Buddy
Diving with a partner is an essential safety measure. It gives you an extra pair of hands and eyes underwater. Always be within the eyesight of your diving partner, and they can help you in case of an emergency.
Listen to Your Instructor or Guide
When you visit the Gold Coast for scuba diving and snorkelling, always listen to your diving instructor. You need to pay attention to the briefing and stick to the dive plan prepared. Follow the route the guide plans for you, and never stray far away from the rest of the group. Be with your assigned dive buddy at all times.
Breathe Normally, Don’t Hold Your Breath
One of the thrilling aspects of scuba diving is that you can breathe underwater – something that’s physically impossible. One of the most important safety rules is to keep breathing normally. Do not hold your breath. The water pressure changes as you go deeper, and holding your breath can pressure your lungs. So, remember to breathe normally during the entire time you are underwater.
Equalise Frequently as You Descend
The change in air pressure while scuba diving can cause pain or injury to your ears. This is why you need to equalise frequently. Pinch your nose and exhale air gently – it can help clear your ears. Another way is to do the swallowing to open your throat muscles. It will send high-pressure air from the throat to your middle ears, which helps equalise your ears.
Keep an Eye on Your Air Gauge
You can keep scuba diving if you have air in your tank. So, you need to always keep an eye on the oxygen levels of your tank. This might seem obvious, but it is easy to get distracted by marine life and forget to keep a check. You must start ascending up when you see the tank is half full.
Don’t Touch the Marine Life
No matter how tempting it might be, refrain from touching anything underwater. Some aquatic plants can be poisonous, corals can be sharp, and cause lesions and certain fishes can secrete venom if they feel threatened. So, do not try to touch any of them.
Don’t Over-Exert Yourself
While scuba diving might be an adventure sport, it should be done with a relaxed mind. Do not swim fast or do anything that makes you out of breath sooner. If you feel tired at any point, signal to your buddy and take some rest before starting again.
