A Beginner’s Guide to Scuba Diving

If you’ve ever pondered taking up scuba diving, but aren’t sure whether it’s for you, Explorer Jasmine’s broken down the scuba diving basics so you can add it to your adventure activities arsenal.

What is SCUBA diving?

SCUBA (Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) diving is an activity in which you swim underwater using an oxygen tank to explore beneath the sea. It’s currently enjoyed by 4-6 million people globally.

Scuba squad feeling amped

The feeling of weightlessness, a sensation similar to flying, is what makes the sport so popular, with tourists traveling across the globe to explore famous dive sights. The goal of scuba diving is to experience, but not disrupt, life beneath the ocean.

Originating in 1943 when Jacques-Yves Cousteua invented the aqualung, modern scuba diving has gone through decades of scientific invention to become the safe practice it is today.

There are various types of scuba diving, with the most common being recreational scuba diving in which people embark on the activity during holidays or as a hobby.

Go on a guided tour if you want to try scuba diving out, you don’t need to be certified | @claire__dalton

In spots where there is an abundance of great dive sites, such as in Western Australia, it’s common that many locals are regular seasonal divers.

How to Get Qualified for Scuba Diving

Scuba diving can’t be performed without proper training. Globally, PADI (the Professional Association of Diving Instructors) is the most recognised dive training organisation.

The first certification a diver receives is the PADI Open Water Diver, which qualifies users to dive recreationally up to 18m. During this course, students are required to complete comprehensive online e-learning before they’re able to get into the water.

Before you hang out with seals, you gotta do some training above sea level | DNSW

Following this is three days of diving training, usually starting first in a pool to learn the basic techniques of preparing equipment, mastering buoyancy, and performing necessary skills, before students move to an open water setting.

Over the final two days, students will complete four dives in open water and must succeed at all PADI requirements to reach qualification.

Following completion of the Open Water certificate, students can then progress onto advanced training courses such as the Advanced Open Water, in which qualification increases to 30m.

And soon enough you’ll be out exploring the big blue! | Destination Gold Coast

Beyond this are numerous specialised courses like shipwreck diving, nitrox diving, cave diving, and more.

The highest certificate for a non-professional recreational diver is Master Scuba Diver, which requires completion of five specialised courses and 50 logged dives to complete. The majority of recreational divers only ever complete their advanced certificate.

Western Australia has a range of dive centres that teach PADI-accredited courses.

Essential Gear for Scuba Diving

It’s important to wear the correct gear while scuba diving to ensure safety.

It’s not exactly the most minimalistic activity | @grumpyturtlefilms

BCD (Buoyancy Control Device)

A BCD does exactly as described, it controls buoyancy and gives divers control in the water. Controlling buoyancy is vital when diving as it’s important to control a steady descent, maintain a buoyant position underwater, and a slow ascent. Crucial for every diver, think of a BCD as a lifejacket that helps you go up and down safely.

The Scuba Pro Hydros Pro BCD is a popular and reliable pick.

Strapping on the BCD pre-drive | Destination Gold Coast

Regulator

A regulator delivers air from your scuba tank to you safely. Connected to the air cylinder, regulators come with a main and spare mouthpiece in case of emergencies or malfunctions underwater.

Mask

A mask covers the eyes and nose of a diver and allows them to see clearly underwater and stops them from breathing in water. A vital piece of equipment for any underwater activity, dive masks come in different shapes, sizes, and lenses.

Cressi have a fantastic range of dive masks.

Snorkel

A tube that you can breathe through while keeping your face underwater. Not for use deep under the water, but instead when you’ve reached the surface, divers keep snorkels attached to their masks swimming above the surface.

Regulator and mask is on the face while the snorkel hangs out the side | @turnbull.john

Wetsuit

A full or half-body swimwear suit worn to provide thermal protection while wet. Available in different textures, thickness, and styles, wetsuits are necessary for every diver to maintain a safe temperature and protect against the elements underwater.

Fins & Boots

Fins are accessories for your feet that aid movement under and above water. There are two types of fins, full-foot or open-heel. Open-heel fins require you to wear boots underneath (kind of like socks!) and are more often used in diving. Dive boots have a thick sole and protect from possible dangers your feet might (literally) run into.

Dive Computer

Dive computers, or dive watches, are devices worn by divers which provide real-time dive information such as time and depth. They’re important in measuring safety stops and reducing the risk of decompression sickness (DCS).

Weights

Dive weights are small weighted plates added to a divers BCD or dive belt that counteracts excess buoyancy and allows divers to descend easily and maintain buoyancy underwater.

And pretty much the whole kit and caboodle in action! | @tomburd

Scuba Diving Tips for Beginners

• Always double-check your scuba gear. Whether it’s your own gear or hire gear, follow the necessary safety checks prior to entering the water. Don’t skip your safety steps
• Observe your surroundings while underwater but never touch or remove marine life. Doing so can be harmful to the environment and dangerous for yourself
• Always dive with a buddy and plan out your dives. Make sure to stay together the entire dive and stick to the dive plan
• Place a small drop of baby shampoo (or spit) inside your mask then fully rinse it out as a defogging technique
• Never hold your breath underwater. Always maintain calm and even breathing
• Always keep a frequent eye on your air gauge. Make sure you have a safe amount of air to complete your safety stop and surface
• If you start to feel strange, abort the dive immediately
• If you’re having trouble equalising your ears underwater, kick a few feet up and try again from a higher depth
• Know what the basic scuba hand signals mean:
  • Thumbs down: Descend
  • Thumb up: Ascend
  • Hand up: Stop
  • Circle: I’m OK
  • Point to ear: Ear trouble

Do this if you’re having a good time! Only thumbs up if you want to ascend | @turnbull.john

5 Common Mistakes Made When Scuba Diving

1. Trying too hard to equalise your ears. You need to equalise your ears so that the water pressure doesn’t cause damage. Equalise slowly and don’t force it. If you’ve tried everything and can’t equalise, abort the dive
2. Ascending to the surface too quickly. Ascending too quickly can be hard to slow down and puts you at risk of DCS. Control your ascent slowly so as not to over expand your lungs. Follow your dive computer and remain calm
3. Touching marine life. There are many dangerous creatures in the ocean. It’s safer for you and them that you keep your hands to yourself
4. Not checking your air. If you don’t have enough air to surface you’ll be in some real trouble. Regularly check your gauge
5. Rushing. Take things nice and slow and follow your safety procedures. If you rush you can make mistakes so stay relaxed

And most importantly, enjoy the beautiful, alien world that lives underwater! | @scott.portelli

FAQs of Scuba Diving for Beginners

How much does it cost to get qualified?

Typically, the PADI Open Water course ranges from $595-695 (AUD), with advanced and specialised courses costing similar, if not less.

Do I need to be able to swim to scuba dive?

Yes, you’ll need to be a confident swimmer to scuba dive.

Is scuba diving dangerous?

Typically, no although there are risks associated with the activity due to faulty equipment and human error. Risks range from dehydration to decompression sickness and, in rare cases, death.

Feature photo by Destination Gold Coast