bad habits to avoid?

[TSandM]

I've read this thread a couple of times, and going back to the actual question asked by the OP, I think the worst "bad habit" one gets into with experience is complacency. It's easy, as you get more accustomed to diving, to forget that we can't breathe water, and that safety things are taught because they're IMPORTANT. I got a good reminder of that when we were in Cozumel. We were getting ready on the boat, and the DM had gotten into the water to check currents. He came up and said things were fine, and told us to get in the water. We hadn't finished our equipment checks, but I began to abbreviate things because I felt obligated to follow his commands. One of my buddies stopped me and told me to tell the DM to hold, and we finished our checks.

He was right -- We do those things for a REASON, and it's because making sure everything works correctly before we get in the water is a way to make sure the dive proceeds uneventfully and enjoyably for everybody. The day you don't check stuff is the day you'll jump in the water with your valve closed, or something equally bad.

 

[Tavi]

I was actually instructed to use two fingers to gently push off the bottom if I get too close. Is there something wrong with this method? Idealily I would be able to control my bouyancy so this wouldn't happen but I'm only at the PADI Scuba Diver level and am working on my OW Certification.

Nothing wrong with that. As you get better, you'll be able to get close without touching the bottom. Controlling your bouyancy takes practice.

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

Turning tank valves a quarter turn back.

I teach turning the valve back an eighth to quarter to keep joe armstrong from breaking the valve when he checks to see if your air is on, but then again I could be wrong.

However, I will say one thing...if you DO take your reg out for a picture, don't forget to blow bubbles! (I can't TELL you how much cr*p I've taken over this pic...I swear it was only for the moment the pic was snapped...)

If you don't take your reg out the scarlet cleaner shrimp will not clean your teeth. If you blow bubbles the scarlet cleaner shrimp will not clean your teeth. If you don't hold on to the rock to stay close and steady the scarlet cleaner shrimp will not clean your teeth for long. But then again I could be wrong.


~

 

[Jocasseegirl]

A bad habit to avoid is NOT going with your instinct and following others. You can call a dive at anytime.

AMEN TO THAT!! I almost drowned last summer because of not calling a dive when I should have. :shakehead It was a hard way to learn that lesson, but believe me . . . I learned it . You are responsible for you . . . don't get sloppy.