It’s the perfect time of year to get back into the water, and while it’s always tempting to focus on shiny new gear upgrades before you do so, refreshing your core diving skills is just as important. We know first-hand that even the most experienced divers can feel a little rusty after time away from the water (whether that’s just the winter months or a longer absence), and revisiting the basics now can transform the way you enjoy diving once the season fully gets underway.
With that in mind, our team has come together to outline some of the core diving skills we’d recommend brushing up on now before the busiest months of the year begin.
1. Dive Planning
Naturally, the most exciting part of diving is the diving itself. However, as desperate as you’ll be to get straight back under the surface, you should never let enthusiasm replace proper dive planning. After a quieter winter period, it’s easy to forget how important your pre-dive checks and proper route planning are.
Before your first few dives this year, spend a bit of time going through the basics, preferably with your dive buddy. Discuss the expected conditions, locate your entry and exit points, and think about depth properly. It’s also worth reacquainting yourself with your dive computer if it hasn’t seen much use in recent months. Check that everything is working as expected; if it’s not, you can probably justify a solid upgrade knowing that it will see you through a whole season of diving and beyond!
2. Buoyancy Control
If there’s one basic diving skill that affects almost every part of your dive experience, it’s buoyancy control. Experience should tell you that good buoyancy makes diving feel almost effortless. Poor buoyancy, however, leaves you quickly feeling uncomfortable (we’ve all been there!).
It can be reassuring to know that it’s completely normal for buoyancy to feel slightly off after time away from diving. You might find yourself carrying a bit too much weight or overusing your inflator. Fortunately, buoyancy is one of the diving skills that comes back quickly with a little practice - almost like riding a bike! Spend a bit of time on shallow, controlled dives to start with to get confidence again, before building up to a more challenging site where your breathing, weighting and trim will be key.
It’s also worth taking a fresh look at your setup while you’re brushing up on buoyancy skills. Review your BCD or wing system and keep things as streamlined as possible.
3. Mask Clearing
Mask clearing is one of those basic scuba diving skills that most of us eventually stop actively thinking about, until a flooded mask reminds you how important it really is!
The best way to brush up on this skill is simply by practising it deliberately during your first few dives back. Keep repeating the process of clearing your mask until it feels natural, remembering to stay controlled rather than rushing.
We’d also suggest that you check whether your dive mask still fits as comfortably as it should. Dive mask components like silicone skirts and straps are particularly susceptible to wear and tear over time, and a poor fit will quickly make it even harder to clear your mask when you need to.
4. Equalisation
Equalisation problems are one of the quickest ways to spoil a dive, especially during those first descents. The key to getting this skill back up to scratch is to slow down and revisit good habits early in the season.
Be proactive, not reactive, and consciously think about how quickly you’re descending, focusing on equalising before you actually feel discomfort. We often find that it can be helpful to practise a bit on the surface too, particularly if your break from the water has been longer than just the off-season.
Colder water can also make equalisation feel slightly harder after time away from diving. There’s absolutely no shame in taking things slowly while you get back into gear!
5. Entering The Water
When you learned to dive, you quickly realised that jumping into the water is not all that simple. There are different techniques you need to adopt depending on whether you’re standing on the edge of a boat or entering from the shoreline, and confidence in all of these is really worth revisiting.
Mentally rehearse each stage of your entry before actually entering the water, practising your pre-entry checks, and making sure that your mask and regulator are secure. If you’re shore diving, take a few moments to assess your footing and wave timing to ensure your entry is as smooth as it can be.
6. Communication & Signalling
From a safety perspective, proper communication skills are some of the most important things to refresh when you’ve not been in the water for a little while. Though it’s hard to forget core hand signals entirely, ensuring that you and your buddies are on the same wavelength is key.
Run through your signals and communication expectations with your buddy ahead of time to check that you’re on the same page. If you’re planning to dive in lower visibility conditions, we’d also recommend that you think about and practise torch signalling ahead of time so that you’re ready for action when conditions change.
Get Equipped For Dive Season
There really is nothing better than properly getting back into diving once the visibility improves and the days get longer. With these skills accounted for, you can be certain that every dive over the coming months will feel safe, smooth, and enjoyable.
Of course, if you also discover that your kit could do with an upgrade along the way, we’re always happy to help. Whether that’s a fresh mask, a more comfortable BCD, or a new dive computer, the Aquanauts team can help you to find the right kit for your needs and ability level and ensure that you’re heading into peak season with complete confidence in both your skills and your equipment.
Browse our full range of diving equipment online today, and don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.