Here is an excerpt from a series of training videos shot on location at Blue Grotto nearly a decade ago. It’s been characterized as “90 percent of what new divers must know in just 90 seconds.”
The key points to remember are:
- Breathe continuously while on scuba. This means that any time the regulator is out of your mouth, you must exhale a tiny stream of bubbles.
- Equalize early and often while descending. Get in the habit of equalizing pressure in your ears at least once for every half meter or foot and a half of descent.
- Ascend slowly. The recommended rate of ten meters or 30 feet per minute is much slower than it sounds.
- Continuously monitor depth, time and pressure. You should always know how much gas you have remaining within 15 bars or 200 psi.
- Always use the least weight possible. Never wear more weight than is needed to make you neutrally buoyant in shallow water.
- Dive like a fish. Maintain horizontal body position underwater. Avoid standing, kneeling or sitting on the bottom.