A Few Things You Should Know to Fully Enjoy Sailing and Scuba Diving

Scuba diving is an excellent hobby to participate in, but it is more technical than a lot of people assume. Especially when you are diving to greater depths, it becomes very important that you know how to do it properly to really enjoy the experience and ensure you will be able to do it for many years to come. When people first learn, they are eager to explore greater depths and see new things. However, it will take time and practice. Here are a few things to keep in mind.

Your Body

Scuba diving isn’t for the faint of heart. This applies to the physical condition of the heart as well as the general condition of your body. If you have been out of scuba diving for a few years and your body isn’t in the right condition, take it slow. Also, if you have developed any medical problems, make sure you get the green light from a doctor before you put on your dive suit. Understand that your body can only handle so much physical stress. Respect the changes in your body that happen with age and go for something that you can comfortably do.

Equipment

The quality of the equipment you use plays a huge role in your dive. One of the most important things you need to have is a good watch. However, this doesn’t mean you can compromise on the other things on your diving equipment list just because you have a good watch. If you don’t have the best equipment available, or you haven’t used your equipment in a while, either rent some gear or get your gear tested before you wear it for your next dive. Old equipment is more susceptible to problems so double-check everything before you dive.

Ascending Rate

A lot of people underestimate the snowball effect air in your suit can have on your ascending rate. Even seasoned divers can sometimes make a mistake in this part of the dive that can lead to serious problems. Moreover, if you are ascending too fast it might be impossible to pause for the critical safety stop before you surface. This is a major problem for divers that are ascending from a deeper depth since they develop more momentum as they rise. The expanding air in and outside your body can be a serious safety hazard so remember to control your momentum on your way back.

If you have been qualified to go to a certain depth, make sure you stick to that depth and nothing further. It can seem tempting to go and explore that wreck that is just a few feet below or go on a dive with your local dive group, but for your safety, it is important that you stay within your training limits. You can never estimate the kind of situation you will run into when you try and explore new territory. Not to mention, your equipment will most likely not be rated to operate at that depth. If you get into trouble at such a depth, it could be a life-threatening situation or it could leave you with an injury that will prevent you from diving ever again. If possible, always go into the water with an expert by your side or with a team.