Spring has well and truly sprung, and all we can think about is all of the diving we’re going to be doing in the coming months. While the hardy among us have been braving the cold all winter long (we salute you), most will just now be dusting off their gear and getting ready for the dive season ahead. After all, while UK waters absolutely still hold a chill at this time of the year, improving visibility and more stable conditions mean we’re approaching the best diving opportunities of the year.
With all of that in mind, now really is the perfect time to make sure that you’ve got everything ready to get into the water. Here’s a handy checklist to make sure that your first dive of the year sets the right tone for the season ahead.
1. Get Your Kit Prepped
After a few months out of the water through the winter, your dive kit will likely be tucked away safely somewhere. Even if stored properly, the first thing you’ll need to do to get ready for the first dive of the year is to get your equipment prepped and give everything a once-over. Pull out all of the essentials, like your drysuit, BCD, computer and regs, and look for any obvious signs of wear and tear in places like straps, seals, and hoses.
Give everything a good clean as part of your preparation too, using a proper cleaner like the Gear Aid Revivex for your BCD. You can find preparation guidance for individual types of kit in this guide.
2… And Serviced
While there’s plenty of scuba diving equipment preparation you can complete yourself, remember that some items require professional servicing to ensure that they are still safe and performing correctly. Take the time to reflect on when your gear was last serviced; if due, get it booked in sooner rather than later. Your regulator should be serviced annually (or every 100 dives), and your cylinder needs to be tested every two years. Don’t leave it too late and miss out on the perfect opportunity to kick off dive season!
3. Plan For The Conditions
Despite the days getting longer and visibility improving, it’s important to keep your expectations grounded when preparing for your first dive of the year. UK waters are still firmly on the cold side in spring and early summer, and that means the right insulation is still very much essential. You’ll almost definitely want your drysuit, as well as a sturdy undersuit, hood and gloves. Check conditions just before you head out, too. We’re still very much in a transitional period, and a site that is perfect one day might quickly become somewhere worth avoiding if the weather turns.
4. Plan Your Dives
With the excitement for diving building, it’s always tempting to jump straight back in. However, a little bit of planning goes a long way. We’d always suggest hitting a dive site you know well to ease you back in rather than opting straight for a challenge or somewhere unfamiliar. Proper planning also gives you the excuse to get in touch with your diving pals and see if they want to join you and catch up in the water.
5. Treat Yourself To An Upgrade
We can’t deny that new dive gear is always exciting, and what better time to treat yourself to an upgrade or two than before dive season really kicks off? Perhaps you’ve been eyeing up a new dive computer, been thinking about upgrading your BCD, or just fancy a fresh set of mask, snorkel and fins to really springboard your next round of diving. Using this time to invest wisely will pay dividends as the season progresses, giving you the comfort and performance levels you need to make this year of diving your best one yet.
Start The Season Right With Aquanauts
With the right planning, we’ve got no doubt that your first dive of the year will kickstart an exciting few months in the water. If you’re eyeing up any kit upgrades this year, or want some advice on what you might need to be doing or getting to prepare properly, please do pop into the store or get in touch with us. Our friendly team are all experienced divers and on hand to give you the guidance you need to hit the water with confidence.