So, you’ve finally decided to take the plunge—literally. You’re about to start your PADI Open Water Diver training, and you’re probably a mix of excitement and "what have I gotten myself into?" nerves. That is completely normal!
Scuba diving is one of the most incredible experiences a human can have, but the learning curve can feel a bit steep at first. Looking back, there are definitely a few things I wish someone had whispered in my ear before I strapped on a tank. To save you some stress and help you look like a pro from day one, here are the top ten things I wish I knew before I started my Open Water course.
1. Don’t Buy All the Gear Yet (Except Maybe a Mask)
It is incredibly tempting to walk into the dive shop and buy the shiny regulator, the cool fins, and the wetsuit that makes you look like a superhero. Resist the urge! You don’t know what you like yet. Different fins feel different in the water, and BCDs (Buoyancy Control Devices) fit everyone differently.
The Exception: If you buy one thing, make it a high-quality mask. A leaking mask is the number one joy-killer in diving. Go to a shop, try them on, and find one that seals to your face without the strap even being on. If it sticks when you inhale gently through your nose, it’s a winner. Everything else? Rent it until you know what you’re doing.
2. The “Swim Test” Isn’t the Olympics
A lot of students panic about the swim test. Let’s bust this myth: you do not need to be Michael Phelps. You need to swim 200 meters (or yards) without stopping. There is no time limit, and you can use any stroke you want—even the doggy paddle! You also have to float or tread water for 10 minutes.
Pro Tip: If you aren’t a strong swimmer, practice a bit beforehand just to get comfortable. For the float, just lie on your back and relax. It’s more about showing you’re comfortable in the water than proving you’re an athlete.
3. Equalize Early and Often (Before You Feel Pain)
Your instructor will teach you to equalize your ears (pop them like you’re on a plane) as you descend. The mistake most beginners make is waiting until they feel pressure or pain. By then, it’s often too late because the pressure has locked your Eustachian tubes shut.
The Fix: Equalize every single meter (3 feet) of your descent. Start doing it before your head even goes underwater. If you feel pain, stop, go up a few feet until the pain is gone, try again gently, and then continue. Never force it!
4. Mask Clearing Is Mind Over Matter
You will have to flood your mask with water and clear it while underwater. This freaks a lot of people out because our brains scream, "Water in nose! Drowning!"
The Secret: Relax. It’s just water. You can breathe through your regulator (the thing in your mouth) just fine even if your mask is full of water. Practice breathing through your mouth without a mask in the shower or a pool before your course. During the skill, just look up slightly, exhale firmly through your nose, and the water will vacate the premises.
5. Buoyancy Control is the Holy Grail
New divers often look like they are riding a bicycle uphill—kicking frantically and using their hands to swim. This is usually because they are over-weighted or have too much air in their BCD.
The Goal: You want to be neutrally buoyant, meaning you hover effortlessly. Don’t use your hands to swim; that’s what fins are for! If you find yourself sinking, add a tiny burst of air to your jacket. If you’re floating up, let a tiny bit out. It takes time to master, so be patient with yourself.
6. Never Hold Your Breath (Like, Ever)
This is the Golden Rule of scuba diving. Holding your breath while ascending can cause lung over-expansion injuries (physics is real, folks).
The Habit: Always keep your airway open. If the regulator falls out of your mouth (which rarely happens), you should be blowing tiny bubbles to ensure you aren't holding your breath. A good trick is to hum a little tune to yourself if you feel nervous—it forces you to exhale continuously.
7. It’s Okay to Be Nervous
You are a land mammal entering an alien environment where you can’t breathe naturally. If you weren’t a little nervous, you’d be crazy! Your instructor expects you to be nervous. The Advice: Communicate! If you’re scared of a certain skill (like taking your mask off), tell your instructor. They can hold your hand, do it shallow first, or just give you a minute to breathe. Don’t bottle it up.
8. Hydrate Like Your Life Depends on It
Diving is dehydrating. The air in your tank is incredibly dry, and being in the water tricks your body into producing more urine (it’s a physiological response called immersion diuresis).
The Reality: Dehydration is a leading contributing factor to Decompression Sickness (the bends). Drink water before and after every dive. Avoid heavy alcohol the night before—diving with a hangover is not only miserable (hello, seasickness), it’s unsafe.
9. Slow Down
"Everything underwater should happen in slow motion."
If you swim fast, you use more air and get tired. If you descend fast, you can’t equalize. If you ascend fast, you risk decompression sickness. The Mantra: Slow and steady. Move your fins slowly. Breathe slowly. Look around slowly. The slower you go, the more you see, and the longer your tank of air lasts.
10. You Can (and Should) Ask "Stupid" Questions
"How do I pee in a wetsuit?" (Answer: Just do it, flush it out later). "What if I need to sneeze?" (Answer: Sneeze into the regulator, just don't take it out). Everyone has these questions. Your instructor has heard them all a thousand times. Asking questions shows you are engaged and want to be safe. There is no judgment in a dive class, only people wanting to learn how to survive underwater!
Final Thoughts
The PADI Open Water course is a passport to a whole new world. It might feel overwhelming at moments, but trust the process, trust your instructor, and remember to breathe. Before you know it, you’ll be hovering over a reef, wondering why you didn’t do this sooner. Happy bubbling!
