Best scuba advice you’ve received

[Eric Sedletzky]

That regulator bit really turned out to be sage advice.

I still have that first regulator, a Cyklon 300; and that price -- a couple hundred bucks -- was imposing as all hell to a teenage kid with a crap Summer job, as a line cook, in the late 1970s.

Nowadays, it is typically parked on one of my pony bottles; but I still have no issue whatsoever, using it for a primary, which I wound up doing the other day, when I had a sudden hose failure on another rig -- still breathes beautifully and dry in any position.

But I don't even recall how many wetsuits, drysuits, and sundry other skin diving equipment that I all-but destroyed over the years . . .

I still have my first regulator, a Scubapro MK20/G200B. I didn’t get the G250 because a guy told be that tuning knobs were fluff and I didn’t need it. He was right.
I was never rich enough to get a really nice dive watch, so I got a Uwatec bottom timer instead.

 

[Jaaron82]

My fathers advice when I got certified at 15 was “you always have time to think “

 

[Regulated]

Set up your own gear, open your own valve, and let no one touch it after that.

Bring two of anything that might fail.

Be compact. Tuck your console and octo in tight.

Plan your dive, dive your plan. And yet recognize that the ocean gets a vote.

Be lazy; stay neutrally buoyant and sip your air.

Check your gauges and computer often. Then act accordingly.

Be aware of everything and everyone around, above and below you.

When diving with a buddy, there is no such thing as too much communication.

In a situation, think carefully before you act. Then take your time, quick.

The reserve in your tank belongs to your buddy.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Dive as much for fun or more than you do for teaching/assisting.
As a DM for one shop, I got so disgusted with the whole take the student for every cent we can get that I nearly quit diving altogether.
Then I met my first tech instructor who told me that. I stopped DMing for the shop I was with that day. Took a NAUI Intro to Tech and Helitrox class and just had fun for 6 months. Then got asked to assist as an extra set of eyes for a NAUI OW class. NAUI allows instructors to use a pro from any agency to assist with classes.
Saw an entirely different model than I was used to and it rekindled my desire to teach.

 

[Pressurehead]

Saw an entirely different model than I was used to and it rekindled my desire to teach.

Off topic, sorry.
I did the same, now "No Names, No Court-martial" to which agencies were involved.
Back on topic.
I have enjoyed reading this topic.

 

[dedezelic]

Solve underwater problems under water.

Nothing good happens fast in diving.

From my instructor @Scraps : only add one variable at a time, i.e. new gear, new type of location, etc.

 

[Graeme Fraser]

Dive as much for fun or more than you do for teaching/assisting.
As a DM for one shop, I got so disgusted with the whole take the student for every cent we can get that I nearly quit diving altogether.
Then I met my first tech instructor who told me that. I stopped DMing for the shop I was with that day. Took a NAUI Intro to Tech and Helitrox class and just had fun for 6 months. Then got asked to assist as an extra set of eyes for a NAUI OW class. NAUI allows instructors to use a pro from any agency to assist with classes.
Saw an entirely different model than I was used to and it rekindled my desire to teach.

Totally agree! Sometimes you just need to reset and remember why you fell in love with diving in the first place. I've certainly had the odd wobble, one resulting in a few years out. I've also had the 'chat' with a few young instructors that have started to get that jaded look.

 

[Subcooled]

Breathe slowly and deeply
- the calming effect of this has helped me countless times in stressfull situations

Don't hold your breath
- was a really good thing to remember during two full speed ascents from depth

 

[kensuf]

Never hold your breath.

 

[J-Vo]

"Find Joy in you Local Dive sites". Calm down, go slow, and open your eyes. There are interesting things on every dive.