Basic Scuba Diving Tips You Should Know Amazing underwater vistas, beautiful coral formations, colorful aquatic plants and beautiful marine life await those who would strap on a scuba gear to experience scuba diving and discover the wonders of the world underwater. However, some people tend to be nervous with the just the thought of being underwater. This is because breathing underwater is unnatural to them. Here are a couple of tips of Curt Ellerbee to help you enjoy and make the most of your underwater adventure. Learn to breathe One of the basic rules of scuba diving is to breathe naturally. Some people find this difficult because they focus more on their breathing. Thus, they tend to run out of oxygen easily. You should never hold your breath underwater even for a second. This may cause lung injuries and abnormal blood CO2 levels. To be able to breathe easily underwater, you need to transfer your attention from breathing to the things you’re seeing underwater. After all, breathing is a natural instinct. Don’t think of it too much and enjoy the view. Staying calm also helps your body to use up less oxygen. Relax Some people tend to be super excited or super nervous with the thought of diving. This usually causes rapid arm movements and excessive working of the legs that leads to rapid breathing and quick depletion of air supply. When your air supply gets limited, your dive will get cut short as well. Buoyancy Control Make sure to fill your buoyancy control (BC) before entering the water. This will help you fix any last-minute gear adjustments. On your way down, you need to keep slightly negative buoyancy to control your descent. Once you reach your desired depth, maintain neutral buoyancy. Don’t exceed your limitations It is important to know the limits of your skills and your gear. With the many things you can discover underwater, it is easy to find yourself wanting to go beyond your limitations and possibly put yourself in danger. Make sure to use proper equipment and acquire adequate training to maximize the many wonders of scuba diving. Dive with experienced divers When exploring a new area, make sure to dive with a local guide or an experienced diver who can help you find the best locations and is knowledgeable about the marine life and conditions in the area. Learn how to use hand signals