A scuba emergency ascent refers to when a diver has to come from the depths and get to the surface fast in the instance of an unforeseen crisis.  More specifically, it has to do with the need to get to the surface due to running low or completely out of air while scuba diving.  Most instances of scuba emergency ascents typically refer to a situation where a distressed diver can voluntarily participate to some extent in their own rescue. As such, it will not involve situations in which the diver is unconscious.

Scuba emergency ascents can be classified as either dependent (assisted) or independent (unassisted) ascents.

1. Dependent Ascents

Source: Air Sharing Ascent by SSI

The in trouble diver is normally helped by another diver.  In most instances the assisting diver will provide transportation, breathing gas and any other assistance deemed necessary.

2. Independent Ascents

Source: Emergency Swimming Ascent (ESA)

The in trouble diver makes the ascent by himself. This may be because the other divers are too far away, or the diver is still in a position to ascend to the surface by themselves.Causes of a Scuba Emergency Ascent

An emergency ascent could result from several reasons that include:

1. Panic

Source: Rescue Diver panicking during training

A panic attack that happens underwater can result in disorientation that may make a diver stay under for too long, thus putting them at risk of running out of air.

2. Unconsciousness

You could become unconscious while under water for a variety of reasons that may include heart attack, knocking your head on a rock, or even running out of air.

3. Injury

There are many ways through which you could get injured under water including being thrown against rocks, getting bitten or stung, all of which can in some instances cause injury, disorientation and even partial paralysis.

4. Failure of Equipment

It is not uncommon particularly for beginners who do not maintain their equipment well to have them fail while they are underwater.

5. Distraction

Being underwater can be very exciting and distracting and I am sure you have sometimes found yourself engrossed in some marine life that you lost track of time and sight of your diving buddies.

Four Emergency Ascent Procedures

According to the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), there are four emergency ascent procedures for when one is low or out of air while underwater.

1. Normal Ascent

Source: Making Safe Ascents on Scuba

This pertains to a situation where the diver is low on air and hence they can plan their ascent and get to the surface normally.

2. Alternate Air Source Ascent

The diver is out of air and hence needs the help of their fellow diver’s secondary air supply to help them ascent to the surface.

3. Emergency Swimming Ascent

The diver’s equipment fails and they are forced to ascend to the surface on their own.

4. Buoyancy Emergency Ascent

The diver ascends at a rate higher than normal as they drop their weights to shoot to the surface.

Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent (CESA)

Source: The Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent (CESA)

The CESA is a technique employed as an emergency procedure when a scuba diver needs to get back to the surface when they are low or have run out of air. D uring the ascent to the surface, you will be moving at a controlled pace by employing a variety of techniques.  The most important technique to learn is maintaining neutral buoyancy through finning.  Finning is a mastery of buoyancy techniques that will enable you to maintain a neutral position in the water without too much exertion, which also helps save air.

CESA is a dangerous technique that if not done well could result in decompression sickness, pulmonary barotrauma or drowning.  The best way to do CESA is to ascent at about 60 feet a minute while slowly exhaling.  This will cause the pressure of the surrounding water to decrease and the lungs to expand with each progressive ascent.

Exhaling keeps the volume of the air in the lungs near to normal and by exhaling at an even rate, you could still have air left in the lungs when you get to the surface.  Failing to exhale during the ascent could lead to overexpansion of the lungs and possible injury.  To determine if you are exhaling at the right rate, your exhales should be relaxed.  You should not feel like you are running out of breath.

The CESA procedure works really well in waters where there are no surface entanglements and no obligation for decompression.  You will also need to be well trained or have the breath capacity to reach the surface while remaining conscious on little to no air.  The biggest plus with CESA is that you do not need special equipment or outside assistance to do it.

How to Conduct a Safe CESA Procedure

1. Do Not Panic

Once you realize that you are in an emergency situation keep your cool and do not as panicking will only make a bad situation worse.  Remember your training and rule book and execute a plan to get back to the surface.  Remember that you always have enough air in your lungs to reach the surface.

2. Inform Your Diving Buddy

Use the cutthroat sign to signal to your buddy that you are in trouble and they will come to your aid.  They can provide you with their secondary air source that you can use to get to the surface.  If you cannot find a buddy, keep the regulator in your mouth and start the ascent.  The regulator keeps water out of your mouth, gives you psychological security and could give you one last breath as the air in it expands on the way up.

3. Look Up

Look straight up and watch out for any hazards such as buoys and boats that may be above you.  CESA is not going to do you much good if you hit your head on a boat in such a state.  Looking up also helps you judge the distance to the surface and plan your stops.  It also keeps your airways open allowing the expanding air to escape to prevent lung injuries.

4. Swim Up

Swim slowly for the surface going no more than one foot a second.  A good way to check your ascent speed is to look at your bubbles.  If you are rising faster than the bubbles, then you are probably going too fast and need to slow down.  Make an “ahhh” sound as you exhale as this will help you breathe at an even rate.  If you are ascending at the recommended rate of 60 feet a minute, it should take you 30 seconds to hit the surface from a depth of 30 feet.

5. Establish Positive Buoyancy

Once you reach the surface you need to make your body positively buoyant.  The best way to immediately increase your buoyancy is to drop your weights while kicking.  However, if you are not too exhausted you could orally inflate your buoyancy control devices to establish positive buoyancy.

Once you are positively buoyant on the surface, wait for a few minutes and then scan the water to find your boat.  Hopefully, your friends will have missed you down under and will surface and help you get back on the boat.

Wrapping Up

Source: CONTROLLED EMERGENCY SWIMMING ASCENT CESA

The CESA is one of the most important skills to learn as it could get you out of a critical situation under water.  Nonetheless just like all other diving skills you need to practice it regularly for when you never know when you are going to need it.  Practice horizontal swims and alternate air source breathing to keep your skills fresh.  With proper training preparation and practice, the CESA is the safest solution to a running out of air underwater crisis.

Nonetheless, you need to remember that you are highly unlikely to find yourself running out of air if you monitor your air supply, conduct pre-dive safety checks and prepare your equipment according to set standards.  Diving with a good friend should also reduce the chance that you will have to resort to a CESA, as you can use their secondary air supply in case of anything.

 

Whatever that can be done during the day would certainly feel differently at night, and scuba diving is no exception to that. There’s always going to be something special happening whenever you do a night dive, from bioluminescent creatures, to nocturnal marine life, to just the simple, calm ambience of it all.  You could have explored your favorite reef until you’re familiar with every nook and cranny, but once you do it at night, it’s a completely new world.

While a lot of people would feel overwhelmed by the prospect of doing a night dive, scuba diving at night does offer a unique experience, and once you get the hang of it, you’ll definitely be hungry for more.  But where do you even start?  What should you expect?  Well, we’ve summarized a few things you’ll be able to enjoy in this nocturnal marine experience.

1. There’s a Lot of New Animals to See

There is a significant shift in activity for the local wildlife once the sun starts setting.  A lot of the day time fishes start retreating into their hidey holes, while octopus become more active and start roaming the reefs for food, as will the squids and the cuttlefishes.  Some species even produce bioluminescence, where their bodies shift in color, and would even produce light.  While this can be observed during the day, it becomes more apparent during a night dive.

Certain species of sharks and rays also become more active during the night to hunt.  This can be a bit of a treat, as some species aren’t as active during the day as they are at night.  You’ll also be able to notice that their eyes reflect light, much like a cat’s eyes will.  While the prospect of swimming with sharks may not appeal to some, they’re actually more interested in searching for food rather than attacking humans.

2. The Environment Changes. A Lot.

While most people would be forgiven to think that corals are no different from decorative rocks, going out on a night dive will certainly change your opinion about that.  At night, many coral polyps open up to feed to absorb nutrients from the passing currents.  This sort of activity isn’t exclusive at night time, but it does become more apparent after dusk, as the colors of the reef start becoming more vibrant.

Much of the light you get to see underwater becomes filtered out the deeper you go, losing color in the process.  During a night dive, the only source of light you’ll be having is the one you’re carrying, and since the source is close by, you get the see everything in its full glory, just as it should be.  The light becomes more concentrated, and your senses become more acute, allowing you to appreciate the reef in a different light.  Pun intended.

3. Be Prepared for the Best Light Show

Just as we’ve mentioned before, one of the best things to experience on a night dive is the presence of bioluminescent lifeforms.  It’s not just cuttlefish, but also plankton.  What’s special about these plankton is that they glow like fireflies whenever they come into contact with you.  Simply waving your arms will create one of the best lights shows you’ve ever seen.

Getting the Most Out of Your Dive

Now that we’ve talked about what you should be expecting at a night dive, it’s time to talk about how you can make the most out of it.  Here are just some tips you should consider doing to help you prepare:

1. Stick to The Shallows

A lot of people who are doing their first night dive tend to try and upscale themselves whenever they do.  They tend to bring in new gear or try to get into the deeper parts of the water to try and make the most of it.  As we’ve mentioned before, the reef can be a different place at night from what you’re used to, so upscaling the dive will only cause you unneeded complications and stress. Sticking to the shallows and at calmer waters will make things easier for you, and if things start getting rough, it becomes a lot more manageable, even fun.  You can go for harder dives once you’ve gotten used to the night dive.

2. Start at Dusk

While it may seem counter-intuitive to start your night dive hours before nighttime, it’s actually a good time to do so, since you still have a bit of light left to check your gear.  You’ll also get the chance to slowly acclimatize to the surroundings just as the daylight is fading, not when it’s already pitch-black.  Starting your dive at dusk would also allow you to observe creatures as they change their behaviors to get ready for the night.

3. Get a Good Light Source

There isn’t much of a difference in the gear you’ll need to carry when you go in for a night dive.  The biggest changes, however, is the most important.  Making sure that you have a good light source means you’ll get to appreciate your surroundings better and help with the navigation.  You’ll also be needing a backup light, preferably something small enough for you to keep in your pocket, but still big enough to help you find your way home in case your primary light goes out.

4. Plan the Dive

Forgetting to make the proper night dive plan could spell disaster for you and your team.  It can be easy to lose sight of things and get lost when you’re out in the water in the dead of night.  You should plan out the duration of the dive, how deep you plan on going, and who you’ll be diving with.  Also make sure to pay attention to the briefing.  A lot of experienced divers tend to forget how important briefings are, but during a night dive, the information you get here just might save your life.

Final Thoughts

There’s a lot to consider when you’re out doing your first night dive, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be in for the best treat of your life.  Scuba diving at night is a unique experience that you need to do at least once in a lifetime.  A well-planned night dive has the potential to make the familiar and boring look new and exciting.

 

Coral reefs are things of beauty.  They are delicately crafted in under water worlds of color and are required for a healthy ocean.  They are home to unlimited numbers of sea life and help feed the sea life at the same time, but what is a coral reef?  They are ecosystems of coral polyps made of calcium.  Those coral polyps are stony corals that are held together by calcium carbonate.

These reefs protect the shoreline from erosion and a healthy reef indicates the health of the water and the environment of that particular stretch of shoreline or ocean bottom.  They are also home to large numbers of fish and other sea life that make those stretches of underwater terrain their homes.

There are several different types of reefs across the world and each has its own collection of organisms that live in it. They also have different characteristics which separate them from each other. They are varying in size, but often start as one reef only to become another with time as they grow and expand; though some will stay the same because of their location in warm or cold water or if they are located at a particular depth. The differences are listed below based on the type of reef it is:

Fringing Reef

A fringing reef is a reef that is near the shore and located near shallow channels or lagoons.  They aren’t very wide.  The reefs don’t lie too far beneath the water.  Generally just below the surface of the water.  The reefs run parallel to a coastline.  The Red Sea is one of the largest reefs in the world and is a fringe reef.

Barrier Reef

Barrier reefs are very similar to fringe reefs the main difference being their size and depth.  They don’t tend to extend so far, but they can go down deep to at least 230 feet below the surface of the water.  It takes longer for a barrier reef to form than a fringe reef which may be one of the reasons they are rarer as the right combination of factors is needed for their development.  They are thought to form as the sea beds lower and/or seas rise.  The Great Barrier Reef Austraile is the largest Barrier Reef.

Platform Reef

A Platform reef is formed on the continental shelf of the ocean and further out in the open ocean.  The reefs grow large and may form a lagoon in the middle of them.  Platform reefs can spread in all directions and even grow to reach the surface of the ocean.  There are some on the east coast of the Red Sea near Jeddah.

Atoll Reef

An Atoll reef is a circular reef that grows around a lagoon.  They grow from fringe reefs near volcanic islands.  These islands tend to erode away over time and sink below the sea level.  Atolls can be found primarily in the South Pacific and around the Indian Ocean in the Maldives, the Chagos Islands and Cocos Island.

Other Reefs

There are eight other small variations of the above mentioned reefs.  These do not generally expend so far and tend to resemble other more common reefs.  They cover small and large areas in small, low-elevations.

Smaller reef coral on average grow only to around .12 inch in diameter, but the larger coral can grow up to weight several tons.  For the larger, less common reefs, they tend to grow really slowly and do not exceed 1.8 inches per year under the best circumstances.  These reefs often support up to 25 percent of all known species of marine life.  That means, 0ver 4,000 species of fish of over 700 different specifies of coral and thousands of other plants and animals live within this ecosystem all at the same time.

The largest reefs in the world are as follows: Great Barrier Reef, Australia; Red Sea Coral reef Israel, Egypt and Djibouti; New Caledonia Barrier Reef, South Pacific; Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, Atlantic Ocean; Florida Reef, Florida; Andros Coral Reef, Bahamas; and the Saya Del Malha, Indian Ocean.  Each one of these structures is different in terms of what kind of sea life lives there, but they are also the same in that they are bustling centers of life and biodiversity.

Corals are actually invertebrate animals.  They grow in colonies where there can be hundreds of thousands living together at once.  One coral or poly can literally grow thousands of genetically identical copies of itself.  They have a simple stomach and a single mouth opening with tentacles that sweep food into it.  There are hard coral and soft coral species of it.  Hard coral form various types of reefs all over the world.  Soft corals support themselves by growing hard bases.  They also have tentacles like hard corals, but they grow in numerals of 8 and look like feathers.  They generally are found in caves or on ledges where they hang down to capture food that the current brings floating by.

Coral reefs are found all over the world, but there are differences depending on the temperature of the water to the depth of the water it can grow in.  Shallow coral reefs such as fringe coral are estimated to occupy upwards of 93, 1758,530 square feet of the planet. Those are located in warmer waters; the deeper coral reefs have no estimate in terms of their length or depth except that it far exceeds the shallow water reefs.  These reefs of both warm and cold water harbor more than one quarter of the earth’s sea life and are slow growing, but bustling centers of life.  Much of our tropics is covered in these reefs and there are reefs located well below where humans normally dive to view them. They also drop down too deep to explore in some places.

The current issue surrounding coral reefs, both hot and cold versions of it, is that they are slowly dying. The sea waters are warming and their habitats are being eroded by chemicals and other refuse that is floating in the waters.  These once thriving cities of ocean life are being consumed by pollution and burned up by heat.  When observed, it appears as if they are slowly being strangled and starved by the heat.

It is also referred to as the “bleaching” of the reefs as they slowly turn white and die off.  With continuous exposure to heat and chemicals, it is estimated that it one in three corals die in nine months.  This devastation is attributed to human activity and it is called global warming.  It has been estimated that the ocean has risen in temperature to 33.26° Fahrenheit.  While it is not considered a lot, it is enough to cause widespread damage and constant concern about the future of these beautiful structures and the sea life that calls them home.

The causes of human destruction are many. The destruction can be blamed on overfishing, ocean acidification and pollution.  Each one of those causes is enough to destroy a reef, but together the devastation is spreading far and wide.  Governments and scientists alike are looking at this problem and declaring it is something that can be fixed and saved, but that it will take the combined effort of everyone on the planet to make substantial changes to the way their live their lives to make changes for the good of the biodiversity of the these watery cities.

We also need a way to reduce the amount of nitrogen entering the water.  We do know that the animals and plants in this ecosystem cannot live in a nitrogen rich environment and the levels of nitrogen are rising every year.  It encourages the over growth and over production of reef killing microbes and jellyfish.  The problem with a lot of this information is that just knowing the information is not enough to stop them from dying off at an amazing amount every year.  It does not stop the over fishing of the seas and it does not stop the pollution from all our cities eventually making it into the oceans.

The practice of sports or leisure activities in the marine areas (bathing, fishing, diving, surfing, jet-skiing, etc.), apart from the pleasure it entails, also generates health risks, such as traumatic accident, drowning, sunburn or heat stroke.

The incidents caused by the flora and fauna in that habitat, among which the contact with jellyfish and bites by fish equipped with toxic inoculants such as the spider fish, the scorpion, the ray, the actinia or the anemone.

Source: Product Review: First Aid Kit for Marine Animal Stings. Jellyfish/Stingrays/Urchins/Coral

The distribution of these living beings is not uniform and the species, which vary according to the different seas and oceans of our world, sometimes generate serious and even fatal intoxications.

One fact worth noting is the increase in accidents caused by the encounter with exotic marine organisms, as a result of the increase in tourism in tropical areas, by the so-called beach tourism and the growing practice of water sports, such as scuba diving.

It is important to carefully select a Travel Assistance plan that will be taken for each particular trip, depending on the activities to be carried out and the level of risk of each, highlighting that water sports, both immersion as surface, they are among those that deserve greater coverage.

The beauty of coral reefs attracts divers and swimmers. Coral samples of vibrant tones and curious forms integrate the aquatic gardens with an abundant diversity.  However, despite the beauty of the reef, it is best to refrain from the temptation to reach out and touch, even if you are wearing gloves.

Approaching reefs without touching them is the best, since human contact can be as dangerous to the coral ecosystem as it can be dangerous for humans.  Corals are living beings, so the interaction with them is not indifferent to either side.

Source: Wound Care | Wound Healing | How To Heal Wounds Faster

In this article, we will focus on the damage that these species, in defending themselves, can cause to humans:

Lacerations and Abrasions

The common injuries related to corals are cuts and scrapes obtained either by being accidentally thrown into the coral by an ocean current or strong waves or by deliberate physical contact. Not only are they sharp blades capable of creating deep and severe lacerations, but some varieties are toxic to the touch and potentially deadly.

If it happens to you, be sure to clean any wound with soap and neutral saline or water, including a spray of hydrogen peroxide, which helps destroy any remaining biological matter and then apply antibiotic ointment and a bandage. After practicing these first aid, it is convenient to consult the doctor who provides your Travel Assistance insurance.

Coral Dermatitis

Coral scrapings tend to become chronic irritations. So they can become chronic dermatitis. It is supposed to be because the small pieces of coral that are embedded in the wound have persistent toxic and allergic effects. Proceed as in the previous case, in addition to applying the tetanus vaccine and observe if healing begins.

If this does not happen in 24-36 hours it is convenient to go to the doctor. In some cases, hyper-pigmentation can occur that will be better treated by a dermatologist. In either case, an immediate consultation with the Online Medical service of your Travel Assistance insurance will be sufficient to obtain an adequate diagnosis and treatment.

Intoxication and Infection

Coral reefs are colonies of creatures with calcareous or osseous exoskeletons, often with sharp or protruding angles, so it is not uncommon for swimmers and divers to suffer lacerations after making contact with the reefs.

Once the skin is broken, “coral poisoning” is characterized by itchy red welts that develop as the capillaries become inflamed, and can be felt in a matter of minutes.

In addition to minor side effects, such as localized pain and relatively low fever, coral poisoning can progress to ulcerative cellulitis and scaling of the skin around the wound, which can take up to three to six weeks to heal.

In rare but very serious cases, it can lead to tissue necrosis around the wound, it can ultimately result in sepsis (infection of the blood) or a serious infection. To avoid complications, it is advisable to go immediately to a medical consultation through our Travel Medical Insurance.

Very Dangerous Corals

Some types of coral are innately dangerous, since they use poisons or toxins as defense mechanisms. Fire coral is found on reefs around the world. In general, it has a light brown color with small tips that look like fingers that are lighter shades, its appearance is quite harmless and benign.

This species has thousands of miniature fine hair polyps, with an abundance of stinging cells.

Fire coral is not exactly coral, but it is found within the same family. In fact, taking into account the consequences of touching it, it has a closer relationship with the jellyfish than with the corals.

Source: Dangerous Fire Coral

It is quite common to mix fire coral with seaweed, so you must be very careful. If it is a bright yellow color, pulling green and with a brown tint, it is most likely fire coral.

The fire coral is a coelenterate animal belonging to the order of Milleporas. Among the different Milleporas stand out M. alcicornis, which is found in the Red Sea and in the tropical waters of the Pacific.

M. tenera and M. platyphylla, found in Thailand and northeastern Australia, and M. dichotoma, which is detected in the Red Sea, in the Gulf of Aden and in tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific.

The milleporids are hydrocorals belonging to the class of hydrozoans and are characterized by forming calcareous colonies, especially in tropical waters.  They are very shallow, usually at the edge of the coastal coral reef, and sometimes emerge at low tide.

Being very close to the surface and the beach, Its habitat coincides with the areas most visited by both bathers and boats that take tourists to areas where they can observe marine life.  The pleasant temperature of tropical waters means that, when people enter the water, they rarely take precautionary measures, and a simple scratch with the corals can cause a major injury.

The fire coral tissue is full of small structures called nematocysts, which, when touched, are fired, penetrate superficially into the skin and release toxins composed of polypeptide chains of high molecular weight, whose composition varies according to the species, and that generate an immediate sensation of burning and a cutaneous urticariform rash, with intense pruritus.

About 6 hours later, blisters can form, resolving into papules and violaceous patches in the form of stretch marks. Remember that, when the corals come into contact with the skin, small pieces of their exoskeleton can be incorporated under the epidermis and there may also be remains of living tissue that contains nematocysts that can discharge their inflammatory venom at that moment, or hours or days later.

The treatment consists of the topical application of oral corticosteroids and antihistamines, but the lesions can be maintained for several months, depending on the number of nematocysts discharged and the sensitivity of the person. Complete recovery is the usual norm, but residual hyperpigmented macules may persist for months.

Exceptionally, injuries caused by fire coral can become infected and, in extreme cases, could cause a necrosis of the affected area. When traveling to other countries and sports activities are carried out in which contact with marine fauna can occur, preventive measures must be taken to avoid this type of accidents and, if they occur,

Source: First Aid & Safety Procedures : How to Identify & Treat Jellyfish, Anemone, & Coral Stings

Prevention

The history of our relationship with corals is plagued by different attitudes towards these living beings, whose consequence almost always ends up being harmful to them or to us.

The pollution of the oceans, the tourist invasion without controls of tropical waters and the lack of respect in some seas (even nuclear explosions in coral islands), has made these creatures (which take a long time to grow back) to be affected in its development and have become extinct in many areas.

Various initiatives are trying to cultivate artificial corals to divert tourism to them and protect the natural ecosystem.

For this reason and the fact that many times its contact is dangerous for human beings, our best recommendation, if you are going to immerse yourself in coral waters, is: “LOOK AND DO NOT TOUCH”.

Source: How to Scuba Dive 2019

Many people live under the notion that scuba diving is difficult. In truth, it is very easy. Scuba diving for beginners is very easy if you follow the set-out instructions. Below are a number of tips that you as a scuba diving beginner should adhere to every time you go scuba diving.

Gear And Equipment

Source: Scuba Gear For Beginners

To keep it simple: You should not compromise when it comes to gear and equipment. This is what will be keeping you alive when you are underwater. First of all, you should not rush to buy any type of gear. You should wait until you have done a few dives with your instructor before you choose your appropriate set.

This is because everyone has different gear and equipment depending on the reason why they are scuba diving. You might copy a person’s gear and find that it is not suited for you. Scuba diving gear is not cheap. You do not want to spend a lot of money on gear and equipment that you will not use. Before you buy, consider renting or borrowing before you find the best fit for you.

The best suit for scuba diving for beginners is a suit that fits you perfectly. In addition, make sure that your suit is warm enough for the water temperature that you may encounter. You should also ensure that even your mask fits perfectly before getting into the water.

Finally, make sure that you take care of your equipment. As previously stated, scuba diving gear is not cheap. You want to prolong the life of your gear for as long as possible. After you are done with diving, use fresh water to rinse your equipment and leave it to dry.

Safety

Source: Is Scuba Diving Safe?

Safety is an essential part of scuba diving for beginners. You do not want to get injured while learning to scuba dive. Safety during scuba diving begins with yourself. You have to ensure that you are fit enough before you try scuba diving. You do not have to be extremely fit but just make sure that you are healthy enough to cope with the underwater conditions. In addition, do not scuba dive while intoxicated. Intoxication increases the chances of injury.

You should also ensure that your gear is in good condition. Your gear is very important as it keeps you safe and alive. To ensure safety, test all your gear before you get into the water. In addition, ensure that you know how each component of your gear works. It is important that you learn how to interpret the data that your gear gives you. For instance, you have to know when the oxygen in your tank is almost finished.

Always keep your eyes open. Your eyes will help you to interpret situations while under water. If you close them you are at risk since you can’t see danger coming at you. Always remember that your instructor is there to help you. Ask as many questions as you can especially if you have any concerns about your safety. In addition, respect the sea and its creatures. Do not fall into temptation and try to play with the animals underneath. Some of them might be dangerous and they might threaten your safety.

Location

Once you are done training with your instructor, you are itching to test your skills at the best scuba diving spots in the world. The following locations offer the worlds best when it comes to scuba diving:

Source: Scuba Diving in the Galapagos | Ecuador 2018 | Study Abroad Vlog

Ecuador: Ecuador features one of the most beautiful places for scuba diving for beginners. The waters along the Galapagos islands are warm and calm. In addition, there is a lot of sea life for you to see. You will get a chance to see dolphins, penguins, seals and many more. The only downside about Ecuador is that the trip can be quite expensive.

Source: Scuba Diving in the British Virgin Islands GoPro3+

British Virgin Islands: The British Virgin Islands provides a prime location for scuba diving for beginners since the waters are calm and relatively shallow. It is a great place to test and sharpen your skills as a beginner. The most exciting thing to see here is the famous wreck of RMS Rhone. There is also plenty of sea life to see if sea wrecks do not fascinate you.

Cyprus: Cyprus is the world’s hidden gem when it comes to scuba diving for beginners. The calm and clear water provides a chance for beginners to sharpen their skills. The water is also riddled with lots of sea life.

Conclusion

Source: 10 Mistakes That Newbie Divers Make | Friday Feature

Scuba diving is really not a difficult thing to do as long you follow the instructions of your instructor. Instructors are trained to teach you and to deal with any situations that may occur under water. Your instructor is your best friend when learning how to scuba dive.

Listen to your instructor and follow the tips described above and you’ll be a pro in no time.