| Learning to scuba dive was one of the best decisions | | | | might just get pushed out of your mouth? If you |
| I have ever made. Even these days, every time I go | | | | don't own an octopus with built in swivel at the |
| diving, the thrill is just like the first dive. | | | | regulator, or don't have a first stage swivel, you |
| Along the way, many experienced divers have | | | | might experience this discomfort. One way to fix this |
| shared their own diving tips with me. Some other tips | | | | is to buy and fit in a regulator 2nd stage ball swivel. |
| are gained from my own experiences - usually after | | | | Another way I found quite useful to me, is to turn |
| a bad one. Here are some of the tips to share with | | | | the air tank slightly in the clockwise direction. As you |
| you. | | | | assemble the Buoyancy Control Device (BCD) to the |
| When choosing a mask, it is best for you to try on | | | | compressed air tank, with the BCD facing away from |
| the mask before buying. Put on the mask, and inhale | | | | you, instead of having the K-valve face directly away |
| through your nose. Make sure you don't have any | | | | from you, turn the tank clockwise by about 30° |
| hair stuck at the skirt of the mask. Hold your breath | | | | so that the K-valve is pointing slightly to the right |
| and see if the mask stays on and not fall off. Check | | | | before securing the BCD to the tank. You should be |
| to see if air is leaking into the mask. If the mask falls | | | | able to feel the difference. |
| off, it usually means the shape of the mask skirt isn't | | | | If you regularly do boat and shore dives, I |
| suitable for your face shape. Try as many brands and | | | | recommend that you get a pair of booties and open |
| models as possible. | | | | heel diving fins. Having booties on as you enter the |
| Most new masks have a protective film on the | | | | sea from the shore will protect your feet from sharp |
| window. This can cause fogging problems during your | | | | corals and stones from cutting your feet. You can |
| dives if the protective film isn't cleaned away. Before | | | | walk comfortably to a certain depth before putting |
| diving with a new mask, clean the window with a | | | | your fins and begin your dive. On the boat, you will |
| recommended cleaner liquid or defogging liquid. If you | | | | at least minimize your chances of slipping on the wet |
| can't get hold of one, try rubbing some clothing | | | | floor. |
| powder detergent onto the window and soaking | | | | For open heel fins with those removable buckles, the |
| your mask in water mixed with clothing powder | | | | best way to put on your fins is to slip the strap over |
| detergent and leave it overnight. I've had great | | | | your heels. While to take them off, by slipping the |
| experiences using this method. Cleaning your mask | | | | strap under your heels and removing the fins. I know |
| before the first dive is very important. I should know. | | | | this advise seems to make the buckle useless, but |
| I've dived at great dive sites but was so busy doing | | | | from my experiences and many other diver's |
| the "flood and clear the mask" manoeuvre to clear | | | | experiences, the time we most often lose a fin strap |
| the fog that I didn't see very much, or just saw lots | | | | or buckle is at the end of a boat dive when we take |
| of blurry things at best. | | | | off our fins by unbuckling while in the water before |
| On my dive trips, I've also found it useful to bring | | | | getting on the boat. And finding a replacement strap |
| along some clothing powder detergent packed in a | | | | or buckle while on an island dive trip can be |
| small pill container. I just clean my mask with | | | | somewhat frustratingly difficult. |
| detergent at the end of the day ready for the next | | | | At the end of your boat dive, when you take off |
| day's diving. Great way to keep my mask crystal | | | | your gear before climbing on to the boat, always |
| clear all throughout my dive vacation. | | | | take off your weight belt first, then your BCD and |
| Have you ever felt the regulator in your mouth | | | | lastly, your fins. |
| seeming to be pushing your mouth to the left during | | | | I hope you find some of these tips as useful to you |
| your dives? You know, the feeling that if you don't | | | | as it has been for me. Here's to wishing you a great |
| bite hard enough on the mouthpiece, the regulator | | | | diving experience on your next diving vacation. |