Scuba Diving Blog & Forum
Learning how to conserve air while scuba diving is one of the most important techniques to master. Mastering this will make your air last longer and will extend your dive time. The list of air saving tips I’ve created also includes tips to extend your dive time too.
If you’re looking for scuba diving tips as a non swimmer is; learn to swim first. Don’t even consider scuba diving before you learn how to swim. It’s unsafe to do that. You have to be able to swim 200 metres (656 feet) in a swimming pool to learn to dive. Swimming isn’t difficult to learn and is fun once you know how. You may also wish to consider snorkeling as a first step to learning to scuba dive too.
If you’re looking for a quick answer to: “Is it dangerous to scuba dive with sharks;” The answer is no. If you want the answer to: “Do divers get attacked by sharks?” The answer is yes. But if you ask a different question: “What are the odds of a shark attack?” The odds (According to the Wild Life Museum) of getting attacked AND killed by a shark are 1 in 3,748,067. But in a lifetime, you are more likely to die from fireworks (1 in 340,733), lightning (1 in 79,746), drowning (1 in 1,134), a car accident (1 in 84), heart disease (1 in 5). So you’re more likely to die of a heart attack whilst waiting to be attacked by a shark scuba diving. There are on average 70-100 shark attacks worldwide each year (That’s all shark attacks by the way, as scuba diver shark attacks are extremely rare), where between 5 and 15 result in death. So be careful if you’re driving to your shark dive, because you are more likely to be killed on the way there!
For those that don’t have the time to read this whole article on on scuba diving safety rules (although I urge you to do so), here are a few of my tops tips and rules. Get certified and aim to make it a safe sport. Never hold your breath when you’re diving. Practice safe ascents. Always do a 6 metre (20 feet) safety stop (Even if it’s not required). Plan your dive and dive the plan. Always leave 24 hours between your last dive and flying. Know your limitations. Always have an alternative air source and if in trouble don’t ask to use your buddy’s spare air source, just take it (but always agree this approach in in your buddy check). Use the ABC buddy check method. Never stray too far from your buddy and keep them within eyesight at all times.
The best tip to stop your mask fogging up is to use baby shampoo. Baby shampoo is easy to apply. Shampoo for babies are gently, so they are easy on the eyes. So that any residue after you rinse your mask is less likely to irritate your eyes as a result. You can find baby shampoos that are hypoallergenic, most tend to be biodegradable, and they are readily available and cheap to buy. Most importantly, baby shampoo works well to clear dive mask fog.
Mastering neutral buoyancy is key to conserving air as a scuba diver and for your enjoyment of diving . When you conserve your air, you’ll increase your dive time. Therefore, as a beginner scuba diver, mastering the art of achieving neutral buoyancy should be your number one priority. Tips for good buoyancy control include; wearing the right amount of weight; adding air sparingly and consistently on your descent; breathing easily and relaxing on your dive.
Neither snorkeling nor scuba diving is better than the other. Each activity has its place and even when you learn to scuba dive, you’ll probably still love to snorkel too. One thing you’ll learn as you progress with scuba diving, is that the deeper you go the less colour you’ll see under the water. Whereas when you snorkel and as you are nearer the surface, all the wonderful colours remain. Diving is restricted by the time your air lasts, whereas snorkeling is only limited by the time you choose to stay in the water.
It’s possible to scuba dive without knowing how to swim, but I wouldn’t recommend it. You don’t need to use your arms whilst diving underwater like you do when swimming. But knowing how to swim makes it safe and is about being able to get yourself out of trouble, if anything goes wrong. Scuba diving is classed as a ‘dangerous sport,’ so why add risk to your enjoyment of your hobby for no reason? Be safe, don’t be sorry.
SCUBA DIVING IS A DANGEROUS SPORT! Until you have gone through diver training, you’ll not be aware of the risks and dangers that exist. Even qualified divers have died scuba diving, and some with years of experience and thousands of dives under their belt. If you value your life and you’re considering scuba diving without certification; don’t. Just don’t do it. Especially if you have a family. The risks are huge to those that don’t know what they are doing. But all of the risks and dangers associated with scuba diving are minimised through proper training and experience.
It is possible for a person to dive to a depth of 50 meters (164 feet) with the appropriate training, equipment, and safety measures in place. Diving to this depth is considered a deep dive and typically requires advanced diving certification and experience.
Human survival limits underwater vary but are generally around 305 to 457 meters (1,000 to 1,500 feet), with an absolute maximum of approximately 915 meters (3,000 feet); however, the crush depth affecting the lungs occurs at around 396 meters (1,300 feet), and there’s a 99% chance of fatality at 335 meters (1,100 feet).
