If you’re a new diver, you might feel a bit awkward and burdened by all that bulky equipment, extra gear, and weights on your body. It might even feel as if there’s invisible energy trying to hold you back. Don’t let this discourage you from enjoying diving because you’ll get used to it as you dive more often. When you get accustomed to your gear, you’ll be finding ways to streamline your gear to improve your diving experience.
Streamlining tips
Do you want to overcome that “invisible energy” that keeps holding you back while diving? That’s what you call underwater drag and the best way to get rid of it is by streamlining your gear. You won’t only reduce drag but you’ll also lessen the risk of disturbing delicate corals with your snagging gear. Check out these streamlining tips to make your dive safer and more enjoyable.
1. Bring only the essentials
No need to maximize your D-rings by putting a lot of gear that you might end up not using after all. You don’t have to clip all sorts of gadgets that you have for every dive. The rule of thumb is to carry what you need to make a safe and comfortable dive.
Use your dive plan as your reference when selecting the gear that you’ll bring. For instance, if you’re planning a shallow dive, then you probably don’t need the stage bottle, reel, and dive light. You can leave them on the boat to lessen your load. If you’re going on a wreck penetration, you can consider leaving behind bulky fish ID cards and keeping the reel and dive lights.
2. Keep hoses properly secured
Make sure that all your regular hoses are properly secured to your BCD. Never leave them hanging. Then double-check if your octopus is clipped on and secured to your BCD. Keep the hoses snug under your arms. It is recommended to tuck your submersible pressure gauge beneath your BCD waist belt. This way, it’s easier to find and more convenient to read. Whenever possible, cut down on the hoses that you will bring. For example, you can do away with a high-pressure hose if you’re using a computer with a remote air sensor.
3. Choose a foldable snorkel
A snorkel can be an added burden underwater. However, your open-water instructor might require you to bring one. Clipping it on your mask may increase the chances of it getting snagged on the corals. To diminish the snag hazard, you might want to consider getting a foldable snorkel that fits in your BC pocket. This way, if you end your dive and still have to swim back to the boat or shore, you can conveniently pull it out and attach it to your mask.
4. Optimize your weight
When you wear too much weight underwater there is a tendency to over-inflate your BC. Being overweighted can drag down your waist and legs. When this happens, you’re forced to swim in a vertical rather than horizontal or streamlined position. Chances are you’ll spend your time bobbing up and down to fight the drag. The harder you swim the more rapid your breathing becomes and the faster you consume air.
You can learn proper buoyancy checks from a dependable dive center like Nemo Diving Center. Our experienced diving instructors can teach you proper ways to optimize your weight and correct buoyancy issues. You can check out our courses and scuba diving Dubai prices.
5. Ensure that your gear fits
Never underestimate the benefit of well-fitting gear. If you’re renting gear, it’s recommended that you arrive at least 30 minutes before a dive. This will give you enough time to find the right gear ideal for your size. If you’re diving in UAE, we’ll make sure that your gear fits properly especially your BCD.
By following these 5 streamlining tips, you can make your diving experience safer and twice as fun. Hope you can join us on our next dive. Happy Diving!