Top 10 "Don'ts" for Newbies

[matt_w]

dilly dally on the dive boat when its time to jump in.

I think you were being sarcastic, but I believe a lot of mistakes happen when people get into a rush to get into the water. I think people should take their time to get their equipment ready and checked. I also believe you should not get up and block the entry point if you are not ready to jump of the boat.

 

[Ursus]

There are some great lists...and I will add a couple of recent newbie insight:
1) Air is everything - guard it and check it often (this includes before you step into the water)
2) Bouyance - scuba is not about swimming, but rather controlled floating always be mindful of how you move within the water colum
3) Direction / Navigation - know where the boat is and general layout of dive site. Take a compass bearing before you get in the water. Throughout the dive be mindful of where your boat should be
4) Be responsible for yourself - investigate and do your own research about dive gear, training, dive locations, and dive partners
5) Experience and safety are not linear and connected....diving is just like driving in that there are some people that have been on the road forever and still doesn't make them a good driver
6) When you make a equipment decision, spend the money nd buy the right equipment, which includes a compass, line cutter/small knife and backup flashlight
7) Ugly dives make for great training lessons...good opportunity to exercise your skills and learn how to remain calm or alert in a challenging situation so that when it happens next time you will know what to do
8) Check you camera housing a couple of minutes after putting in the camera bath tank before bringing it into the ocean.
9) Always bring your Save a Dive Kit to each dive
10) Even though you have a partner, learn to prepare, train, and solve your own problems

 

[Teamcasa]

Don't wait for your vacation to dive. Dive more often in you own local waters.

 

[scubadada]

You are responsible for yourself whether you are diving independently or with a buddy. Take that respnsibility very seriously. You may be able to assist other divers whether they are your buddy or not, take that responsibility very seriously. Enjoy yourself in the wonderful world of diving, take that seriously, or perhaps a bit more lightly.

Good diving, Craig

 

[--tom--]

Here are my high points.
1. Don't get complacent on buddy checks--ever.
2. Respect the water/air interface: It's the jumping off the boat, it's the going through the surf, it's the stepping badly while walking in or out, climbing the boat ladder, or waiting to climb the boat ladder; this are where many problems occur (keep an air source in your mouth or close at hand, embarrassment is not teminal).
3. The dive isn't over until you and your buddy are out of the water and the gear is off.
4. Have a stated goal to improve/learn/refine some aspect of your diving every year (at a minimum).
5. Slot a few dives a year specifically to refresh your emergency training, the OOA, the rescue scenario (this may be done by observing a class).
6. Make sure your first aid kit is fully stocked.
7. Your brain is the most critical pice of dive gear. Don't leave it on the boat or the shore.
8. Don't let your gear dangle. The coral & other small creatures will appreciate it. Your service tech will appreciate not having to clean out pounds of sand from your regulators.
9. Don't lose your sense of wonder...
10. Don't disrespect the diving at other locations. Mother Nature is very talented at finding ways to kill you. You may dive deep, dark, rough & scary but people die in Florida every year. Listen to the locals, they are saying it for a reason.

 

[lord.harshil]

Most important of them all:

After a dive, if you're bored and want to jump off the second deck of a charter boat into the water to go for a swim, LOOK OUT FOR DIVERS BELOW ESPECIALLY THOSE ASCENDING.

nearly got hit by an idiot cannonballing into the sea :cussing:

 

[DevonDiver]

1. Don't stop seeking to perfect your basic skills through continual practice and revision.
2. Don't stop seeking to perfect and simplify your equipment configuration.
3. Don't underestimate the importance of buddy checks, especially as your experience grows.
4. Don't underestimate the dangers your face at the surface - this is where most incidents happen (either before or after dive, or once you reach the surface in an emergency).
5. Don't stop seeking to minimise your weighting and the perfection of it's placement for trim.
6. Don't enter overhead environments, regardless of how 'safe' they may seem.
7. Don't exceed the recommended depth limitations or your personal comfort zone.
8. Don't form a total reliance of dive professionals to plan and control your dives (sheep diving),
9. Don't assume cheapest is best when it comes to courses or dive trips.
10. Don't overlook the value of progressive continuing education.

 

[blue steal]

Thanks to all who have posted the "Don't' lists. I have enjoyed reading them and as a fairly new "scuba" diver really appreciate the time you have taken to give us "newbies" tips. Plus I like the do list also.....:goingdown:

 

[gcbryan]

Don't hold your breath...obvious but it's what kills many divers.

Do remember that most of the "bad" stuff in diving occurs coming up not going down so come up slowly.

Think for yourself.

 

[UnderwaterBumbleBee]

Like someone else said, don't block the way if you aren't 100% ready to jump in the water. Be aware of your surroundings. Don't "sprint" after a creature that you can't catch up to.

For the camera nuts out there, absolutely do not stick your mask or other equipment in the camera rinse bucket unless you want to be ridiculed.