4/ Gaining experience
17/03/12 14:33
TRY TO PUT YOUR TRAINING INTO PRACTICE ASAP
Dive with a divemaster or instructor for a while.
Be conservative: stay well within your depth and time limits
Plan your dives - even though more experienced divers around you just seem to be jumping in the water with no plan.
Get 30 dives under your belt within 12 Months of certification
Do a Live-aboard Boat trip (3 days is a good starter)
1 minute Video look at a Boat Safari
GET TO KNOW YOUR NEW EQUIPMENT
Read the manuals, and test it on land:
BCD:
Computer:
Try some different dive scenarios in shallow water
Dive with a divemaster or instructor for a while.
Be conservative: stay well within your depth and time limits
Plan your dives - even though more experienced divers around you just seem to be jumping in the water with no plan.
Get 30 dives under your belt within 12 Months of certification
Do a Live-aboard Boat trip (3 days is a good starter)
1 minute Video look at a Boat Safari
GET TO KNOW YOUR NEW EQUIPMENT
Read the manuals, and test it on land:
BCD:
- Can you find and reach everything? (try also with eyes closed )
- Where are your inflate and purge buttons?
- Dump valves: practice using them all
- How fast can you get your octo out for another diver?
Computer:
- Read the manual and take notes
- Ask for help if you need it
- Work through every level of your computer’s menu
- Test it in confined shallow water, get to know the displays
Try some different dive scenarios in shallow water
- Weight dumping drill on the surface
- Alternate air source drill
- Fins on and off
- Mask remove and replace
- Emptying your BC ‘completely’, get someone to check