5 Things You Need to Do Before You Can Get Certified to Dive

Pat Green   Sep 21, 2021

You’ve been dreaming about getting certified for scuba diving for a long time. Before you get into the diving sport, you want to make sure you’re thoroughly prepared. Here are a few things you need to know to get yourself ready to be certified.

Practice diving

If you want to get certified in SCUBA diving, you need to make sure you’re comfortable underwater. You can practice your breathing by signing up for a Discover Scuba Experience. This will help you get some experience in the diving sport so you know what you’re getting yourself into.

Get your eqipment

TO start your SCUBA diving experiences, you will most likely be provided with all the equipment you need. However, some basic equipment you use in the scuba diving sport is personal and unique to each diver. You can buy your own scuba/snorkeling mask, fins, and snorkel so you know they fit you well.

Know the theory before the course

Before you start your course, you will get the material that includes an Open Water manual, Dive tables, and a DVD. It’s good practice to learn all of the material before you start the course so you can spend your time asking questions and learning more about the theory. This will help you be prepared for the discussion, and you’ll be well informed about what you’re going to be doing.

Prepare for your first day

Your first day will be laborious, so make sure you have a solid breakfast. Eat at least one hour before you go. Stay away from greasy items and stick to grains like muffins, granola, bagels, and yogurt. This will help you prevent seasickness. You should also bring some biodegradable sunscreen and your new equipment.

Be rested and hydrated

The diving sport is definitely a physical one, so you want to make sure you stay hydrated. If you get dehydrated while diving, it can lead to Decompression Sickness. Fatigue from the night before can also cause unwanted side effects that can even lead to injury.

There are roughly 2.7 to 3.5 million scuba divers in the United States today, with as many as 6 million active divers around the world. If you want to join the club, make sure you complete the items above before your diver’s certification course.