Nothing compares to the feeling you get in exploring the spectacular underwater world, where only a few can go. Scuba diving has always been both a thrilling and rewarding experience for both beginner and experienced divers. Here are some safety tips to remember while diving for the first time.

Stay Alert and be Observant

It is important to know what to do when the visibility is very poor. This means you have to pay closer attention to what is in front of you. You need to be able to see well and distinguish different objects at proximity. Watch out for creatures like stingrays and jellyfish. Be sure you are prepared to meet any diving emergency that may arise.

Stay close to your dive instructor. If you’re wearing contact lenses and your dive mask floods, close your eyes and flush water from the mask. Also, always monitor your air supply and practice to control your air consumption. Don’t wait for your supply to be really low before ascending into the surface.

Practice your Breathing

Don’t breathe through your nose and never ever hold your breath. Holding your breath can cause damage to your lungs. Keep your breathing steady and focus on what you’re doing. Keep your lips tightly wrapped around the tube or else you will be inhaling water. Breathing steadily will provide sufficient oxygen to make your body function properly.

Bring a Scuba Knife

You can bring a knife to cut tangled leaves, ropes, and fish nets underwater. Make sure that it’s handy and not more than 5 inches long. The blade of the knife is usually made out of titanium or stainless steel. The knife should be used as a safety tool and not a weapon to harm the marine creatures.

Learn the Hand Signals

The different underwater signals should be accurately discussed with your dive guide or dive partner. Hand signals can be recognized from a distance. Be attentive and know how to signal your dive partner. It is important to be able to communicate well with one another.

Don’t Dive Alone

Even if you’re well-prepared for diving, it is still important for you to dive with your instructor or with a group. Always know where your guide is located so you won’t get lost. Listen to his briefing before you jump into the water.

Relax While Diving

The most important thing to remember about diving is to feel secure and comfortable in the water. The last thing that you should do is panic. Too much excitement can lead to rapid arm and leg movements. There is nothing to gain in swimming at a fast pace. You will not only end up using up the air in the tank, but you will also exhaust yourself easily. The slower your pace, the more things you’ll see underwater.

In addition, ascend slowly to the surface to avoid decompression sickness. Stopping for 5 minutes is recommended for every 15 feet. It is also important to maintain neutral buoyancy and to equalize your ears frequently when descending into the water. If you feel like panicking, hold on to a rock and take a break to calm yourself down. Calming down will help overcome your fear. Just relax… diving is supposed to be a fun and phenomenal experience!