Preparing for Your First Ever Scuba Dive

1. Choose a location that is suitable. There are factors to consider as to where you'll have your dive:

• Attraction: Interesting and attractive sights of the underwater world range from coral reefs, a multitude of colorful flora and fauna, caves and shipwrecks. While coral reefs are mostly found in tropical areas, caves and shipwrecks are virtually anywhere.

• Visibility: When you're underwater, visibility can range from  a very limited two feet to over a hundred feet. Although this is due to sea conditions, the weather has a hand on it as well. Cold climates have very low visibility while tropical ones enable you to see the sun from more than one hundred feet below land surface.

• Temperature: To serve as protection from cold temperatures, scuba divers wear wet suits. In majority of oceans, there is a gap of temperature, called the Thermocline, wherein a mere change of one foot depth can bring about a ten degree temperature change. On the other hand, oceans with tropical climate would require you to wear just a bathing suit.

• Depth: It is advised that recreational divers without advanced training and equipment must refrain from diving below one hundred thirty feet. The deeper your dive, the higher your injury risks are. Deeper water means less light; hence, the ocean gets darker. It also means higher chances of getting Decompression Illness, which is a condition that is not ideal for any diving beginner. Until such time that you are familiar and comfortable with the common situations of scuba diving, it's best that you stick to the recommended limit of sixty feet.

• Water Conditions: When it comes to this topic, the two words you need to remember are surf and current. Some areas have very strong currents that has the potential to carry a diver away. Note that even famous sites with strong currents are only reserved for the most experienced divers.

• Wildlife: There is nothing more exciting than being able to witness the wildlife that lives under the sea but do take note of its dangers as well. Each of the earth's geographical location has its own set of rare species; hence, it's wise to know the basics of the plant and marine life you might come across and what precautions you need to do, if any at all. The good news, though, is there are more species that are harmless; however, it still pays to be cautious.

2. Research and seek advice. While it's true that you can do your own thorough research and consult diagrams in your selection of the best dive location, it would be a step wiser to ask from diving professionals who are familiar and have more experience with the area because they know what dangers there are better than anybody else. It's even better if you have a dive operator accompany you if it's your first time to dive on the area you selected. Here are some things to ask:

• Tides, currents, depths, visibility and dangers.

• How often does it storm in the area?

• How quickly do storms arise in the area?

3. Prepare all scuba gear that is suitable. How successful and safe your dive is depends on the selection of the proper operation of gear suitable for water conditions. 

• Wetsuit: How thick your wet suit is would depend on the water temperature. Selections are usually 3mm, 5mm or 7mm in thickness. The rule of the thumb to follow is the colder water gets, the thicker the wetsuit material should be. A similar rule applies to gloves, hoodies and booties.The wetsuit likewise protects you from abrasions and stings caused by animals or objects under the water; hence, make sure that you choose a neoprene suit that fits snugly and allows you enough flexibility to avoid problems of mobility and comfort.

• Fins or swim fins: Wide channeled fins are ideal because these are needed to overcome water resistance and to travel with better efficiency. Most often employed are fins containing a strap that comfortably fits above the heel. If water is warm though, an enclosure type fin is enough.

• Buoyancy Compensator Device (BCD): This enables the driver to achieve a neutral buoyancy even when under the water and assists in both ascending and descending. Being an essential safety equipment, you must make sure that the BCD is operating properly before diving.

• Weight belt: This comes with the task of counteracting the total diving equipment buoyancy. In choosing a weight belt, base it on both your buoyancy and the equipment, all of which should be determined prior to diving. You need to make sure that belt weights are secure and releases found on the nylon belt aren't jammed.

• Scuba tanks or diving cylinders: The tank to choose must be one that is tailored to your diving plan. If you plan on a shorter drive in warm water with visibility that's generally good, a single aluminum tank of 80cc of air will suffice. Specialized dives may call for two tanks or high-PSI ones but then again, these are for divers with more advanced training.

• Regulator: This is a device that is meant to let air out of your tank in a manner that is controlled. Ensure that these are in working in the proper order. If regulators don't open as they should, it will cause most of the air to come out. Should this happen, surface as soon as you safely can.

• Mask and snorkel: Employ a mask that not only has been tempered for pressure but comes with an enclosure for the nose as well. Make sure that it fits snugly and is water tight to your face.

• Knife or shears: It's wise to bring with you a knife or pair of shears just in case you get caught in fishing net while diving under. The former has proven itself to be helpful in prying away rocks while the former are good for cutting fishing lines.

4. Do a final check. After your equipment preparation, do a self preparation as well.  Make sure that you are properly hydrated as dehydration can be damaging to underwater health. Keep you mind clear and think positive. Most importantly, try your best to refrain from panicking should anything go wrong.