First time

[TMHeimer]

My biggest advice for boats is have a "dry" bag and find out where they want them kept on board. If you have a paper log book don't bring it aboard--have a sheet of paper and pencil in a jar to record dive data.

 

[pepperbelly]

Tell the dive op you are a new diver, tell the DM you are a new diver and tell the other divers you are new. They will all help you and know to keep an eye on you. They will also offer suggestions that will help improve your diving.
Ask the DM to do a weight check- you may have used more than you needed in class.
Don't worry about being new- we ALL had first dives, and we all made the same mistakes.
If you don't understand something in the dive briefing- ask. If you are not comfortable with something- say something.
Go slow. Diving isn't a race and trying to go fast uses air fast. You won't be able to see everything, but going fast means you will miss things. Watch other divers. When they swim towards fish they will scatter. If you are slow and calm you won't spook them.
Be aware of your depth and air- check often.

The main thing- relax. Diving is fun.

 

[Chavodel8en]

Every now and then, look up -- there might be something cool to see (midwater creatures, etc)

Someone gave me this advice as a new diver, and Ive found it to be worthwhile. Ive seen mola molas, diving cormorants, cavorting seals and other things.

If you're in good trim, your eyes are oriented downward or forward. So every now and then, take a look up.

 

[JamesBon92007]

I just got my ow and am going to Puerta Vallarta. I'm excited but nervous because I know that I don't know much about diving but still want to dive. Any advice for a newbie excited to learn. Thank you for any advice

I suggest you contact Marc and Alun at PV Ocean Tours.

PV Ocean Tours. Diving + All your ocean needs

Everyone I know of who used them gave them five stars. I only dive with them when in PV.

 

[JamesBon92007]

I just got my ow and am going to Puerta Vallarta. I'm excited but nervous because I know that I don't know much about diving but still want to dive. Any advice for a newbie excited to learn. Thank you for any advice

Where are you staying? Some of the hotels in Nuevo Vallarta are not even in Jalisco, but are actually in Nayarit (different state). If you are actually staying in PV then it's very reasonable to get a taxi to the boat in Playa Mismaloya. If you are staying in Nuevo Vallarta then Marc or Alun can probably give you some suggestions. I've never stayed in Nuevo and if you do you might be missing out on a lot of interesting stuff. I strongly recommend going to the Malecon in PV, day or night. There are a lot of interesting things going on plus many great places to eat, lots of art and sculptures, and just a very pleasant overall ambiance. It's kind of a mixture of cultures with a choice of venues. They also have a very effective bus system and once you learn which bus goes where you can quickly and cheaply get around town. There is also a bus to Playa Mismaloya but it might be a hassle to bring your dive gear on the local bus and the taxi fare is not too outrageous anyway. I'm pretty sure that PV Ocean Tours will provide you with whatever dive gear you need for no additional cost.

We think PV is highly under-rated for diving. We have seen incredible amounts of sea life and have had many very enjoyable dives there.

 

[TMHeimer]

Every now and then, look up -- there might be something cool to see (midwater creatures, etc)

Someone gave me this advice as a new diver, and Ive found it to be worthwhile. Ive seen mola molas, diving cormorants, cavorting seals and other things.

If you're in good trim, your eyes are oriented downward or forward. So every now and then, take a look up.

Good advice for shallow shore dives too. Seeing the surface from 30-40 feet down gives perspective on what you're really doing. I tend to just follow the bottom down most times and just check my depth gauge.

 

[Jeffrey F. Worthington]

Thank you all for the replies.