Frequently Asked Questions
Got a question about scuba diving? Here are clear answers to common topics, including training paths, safety practices, essential gear choices, and practical travel tips. Use the sections below to jump to what you need.
A safety stop is a short pause at 15 feet for about three minutes that lets your body release nitrogen and adds a margin of safety before surfacing. See the deeper dive on this question.
Uncertified divers can only go to about 30 feet under instructor supervision. The limit exists to reduce injury risk if a diver panics and bolts upward. See the deeper dive on this question.
Open Water certification takes about three to four days of training and practice, depending on your schedule and learning format. See the deeper dive on this question.
Snorkeling stays on the surface. Scuba uses tanks and a regulator so you can breathe and explore freely underwater. See the deeper dive on this question.
Dive time depends on depth, breathing rate, and tank size. Most recreational dives last 45 to 60 minutes before reaching reserve pressure. See the deeper dive on this question.
Avoid flying, strenuous activity, and alcohol right after diving. Wait 12–18 hours to let your body safely release absorbed nitrogen. See the deeper dive on this question.
Open Water courses cost about $400–$700, plus another $400–$700 for personal gear like mask, fins, snorkel, and boots. See the deeper dive on this question.
Nitrogen narcosis is a temporary effect of breathing gas under pressure that causes euphoria or confusion at depth. See the deeper dive on this question.
Divers roll backward off small boats to enter safely with heavy gear. Most larger dive boats use a giant stride entry instead. See the deeper dive on this question.
Holding your breath is only dangerous when ascending, because expanding air can overinflate your lungs. Relaxed, steady breathing is safest. See the deeper dive on this question.
Buoyancy control means staying neutrally balanced in the water. It comes from proper breathing, weighting, and small BCD adjustments. See the deeper dive on this question.
A scuba tank stores compressed gas. A regulator lowers the pressure and delivers gas smoothly when you ask for it through each breath. See the deeper dive on this question.
Press the mask to your forehead, look up, and exhale through your nose to clear water. Relaxed practice makes it second nature. See the deeper dive on this question.
A dive buddy is there for awareness and backup, not to manage your dive. Two focused divers prevent small problems from becoming big ones. See the deeper dive on this question.
Gas use depends on depth, movement, and comfort. Plan dives to match your breathing, not the other way around, and surface with a safe reserve. See the deeper dive on this question.
Pinch your nose and blow gently through it while descending to balance ear pressure. Equalize early and often to avoid discomfort. See the deeper dive on this question.
A dive computer tracks depth, time, and ascent rate. It makes diving safer and simpler. I will not dive without one. See the deeper dive on this question.
A swimsuit or rash guard works under a wetsuit. Fit matters more than layers. I prefer rash guard shorts and a top for comfort and modesty. See the deeper dive on this question.
Flying too soon after diving risks decompression sickness. Wait 12–24 hours, and follow your dive computer’s no-fly timer. See the deeper dive on this question.
Advanced Open Water is a marketing label, not a skill jump. True progress comes from specialty training and real experience. See the deeper dive on this question.
A giant stride is a controlled step entry from a boat or dock. Hold your gear close, step wide, and keep your hoses from swinging. See the deeper dive on this question.
Bring a swimsuit or rash guard, towel, water, dry bag, and your own mask defog. Familiar gear and preparation make the dive smoother. See the deeper dive on this question.
Choose a mask that seals comfortably on your face. Test fit with a regulator in your mouth since that changes your face shape. See the deeper dive on this question.
You can try scuba under instructor supervision, but certification requires basic swimming ability and water comfort. See the deeper dive on this question.
Cold tolerance is personal. I’m fine in the mid-60s in a wetsuit, but others shiver below 80°F. Comfort and focus matter more than numbers. See the deeper dive on this question.
A logbook tracks your dives, gas, and conditions. Most divers now log digitally, but the habit still builds awareness and progress. See the deeper dive on this question.
Take medication before boarding, stay out of fumes, and keep your eyes on the horizon. I pre-dose with Dramamine when swells are forecast. See the deeper dive on this question.
Dive tables show depth limits, but modern divers use computers. I never used tables because they are slow and hard to follow. See the deeper dive on this question.
A wetsuit traps water to keep you warm. A drysuit keeps you dry and uses air and undergarments for insulation in cold water. See the deeper dive on this question.
You can dive with contact lenses or a prescription mask. I use a prescription mask because of corneal injuries that make contacts risky. See the deeper dive on this question.
Diving with a cold can block equalization. Many divers use decongestants, but I see that as a bad risk calculation. Wait until you are healthy. See the deeper dive on this question.
Ear pain comes from pressure differences. Equalize early and often, and never force it. Stop and ascend slightly if discomfort remains. See the deeper dive on this question.
Running out of gas should never happen. Plan your dive, check your gauge, and remember the only thing you must do underwater is breathe. See the deeper dive on this question.