Top 10 "Don'ts" for Newbies

[letterboy]

honestly after diving for many years...DON'T touch my gear unless you were asked to or you asked first..next my pony bottle is not in case YOU run out of air

so I should help you put on your gear, and you are bringing your pony bottle for everyone elses safety, got it.

 

[sabbath999]

These are just things that I have found when learning to dive (in no particular order)
1. don't trust your initial weighting. If your instructor did not do a proper weight check during your OW, do one now.

Clipped...

I am constantly amazed by how many instructors just blow this off, and how many new divers have no idea how to do a good weight check.

My instructors, when we went to our OW checkout dives, put me on a tank with 500 PSI to show me exactly how to do a weight check at end-of-dive hold-your-safety-stop air levels.

I see divers all the time who have NEVER done a weight check, they just use the amount of weight they used in their OW training (even though they may have completely different gear). I went through a buoyancy check with a lady a couple months ago and we were able to take 8 pounds off of her!

Insane.

 

[sabbath999]

And

Don't pee on the boat deck!

Modified: Don't get CAUGHT peeing on the boat deck

 

[sabbath999]

These are just things that I have found when learning to dive (in no particular order)

Clipped...

Anyway, there's a lot more I am sure, but those are the big things for me and it is all just my opinion so take it with a grain of salt if you want

Good list.

 

[BioLogic]

Don't assume everything's going to go right. Sometimes it won't. Have an alternate plan. Most especially, that means checking all your own stuff before you get wet.

Don't lose track of where you are relative to your entry point/boat.

Don't forget to check for current, and do swim into it first if it's an out-and-back.

 

[Pearldiver07]

1. If/when you get more training - don't forget you are the customer. Interview him/her if possible. If not, talk to other divers first. I've seen too many instructors who are more worried about completing the training than whether or not you gained the requisite knowledge and skills. I've had student instructors who've thought I was "going too deep" ?!?!?! This is the mentality you have to watch out for.

2. Dive, dive, then dive more - then talk about the dives with your buddies. Nothing brings home learning opportunities like reviewing what went wrong (and right!).

3. A personal irritant - don't go to the exit point on the boat THEN decide to do final checks, ask someone to get your (whatever) that you forgot, and do everything but balance your check book. Or, if you're going to do this, be the last one off (and ensure you won't be diving with that buddy again).

 

[Buoyant1]

Don't be afraid to ask questions. (even if you think they are stupid, they may NOT be)













Don't succumb to the pressure of buying a "Spare Air"...heh heh heh...(surprised no one snuck that one in yet...unless I missed it)

 

[SelkieDVM]

Don't make decisions based on what you believe other people may think of you.

 

[matt_w]

1. If you want to be a safe diver, the only way to get better is to dive. There is no substitute for time spent in the water in Scuba Gear.
2. Try to learn as much as possible about the environment you will be diving in. Pay attention to the briefings and ask questions.
3. Don't be shy about being new. Everyone will appreciate your honesty. Divers are generally a friendly group of people and we were all new at one point or another.
4. Always breathe. Never stop breathing.
5. Stick to the limits of your certification. Don't let anyone convince you it is ok to exceed them. I do not have any hard facts handy, but outside of preexisting medical conditions, this is likely the leading cause of fatal diving accidents.
6. Don't Panic. If you stuck to the limits of your training, there are few situations you can not come out of safely if you keep a clear head.
7. As you progress in your diving recheck your buoyancy, most divers will find they need less weight as they become more comfortable.
8. Respect local laws and regulations, do not start a dive from private property without the permission of the property owner.
9. If it feels wrong, it probably is, there is no shame in calling the dive.
10. When you are diving on a boat, make sure you know the rules of the dive operator. If they tell you that you need to board the boat with 500+PSI , than you may not be diving any more if you fail to do so. Make sure you know the limits of your dive computer. If you end up in a deco situation and decide to blow off your computer, you will likely be locked out of it ofr 24-72 hours. (You are also asking for a DCS hit).

Most importantly, have Fun.

 

[RhinoGuy]

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