If you’re excited to learn scuba diving, Banzai Divers in Honolulu, HI, will teach you everything you need to know to get certified, including diving techniques, navigation, hand signals, and, of course, how to avoid dangerous situations. Knowledge of basic safety and emergency procedures is critical to ensuring a successful dive. Here is just a small sample of what you’ll need to know.

Safety First: 5 Basic Scuba Diving Tips

1. Ascend Slowly

As you make your initial descent, nitrogen levels will build up in your bloodstream, and as you ascend, those levels will decrease. Because of this, it is absolutely critical to make your ascent to the surface slow—no faster than 30 feet per minute—and to follow other important protocols you’ll learn during training. Otherwise, the nitrogen won’t dissolve soon enough, causing decompression sickness.

2. Don’t Hold Your Breath

Breath holding may be important during other types of swimming, but scuba diving is different. Descending to such low depths will cause your lungs to contract, while ascending will cause them to expand—a phenomenon known as Boyle’s law, which is safe as long as you’re breathing. But if you hold your breath, especially as you ascend, your lungs could rupture, or air bubbles could escape into your bloodstream.

3. Always Inspect Your Equipment

Underwater, the only thing protecting you from the vast ocean is your equipment. Ensure it’s in good condition before going on a dive, and perform a buddy check on your scuba diving partners to catch anything they may have missed.

4. Plan Ahead

Before putting on any equipment, decide on a plan with your team, which includes a maximum time and depth, the route you’ll take, as well as other specifics. Additionally, ensure all your diving partners agree on the meanings of different hand signals, which often differ between regions.

5. Review Emergency Procedures

Most scuba diving excursions are safe, which is good, but this can also cause divers to become complacent. They may forget emergency procedures, such as connecting to alternate air sources, making them extremely unprepared in case something does go wrong. Stay prepared, and review vital safety skills periodically.

Interested in scuba diving lessons? Get in touch with Banzai Divers in Honolulu, HI, today! Give them a call at (808) 462-8290, or visit their website for details about their dive certification courses and scuba tours.