Helping divers make informed choices about training, skills, safety, and gear.

Core Diving Skills

These skills form the foundation of safe, confident diving. Every new diver learns them in training, but true mastery comes from practice and awareness. When you are ready for details, follow the full guides linked at the end of each section.

Scuba gear on a rocky shore

Setting up Dive Gear

Learn how to set up your tank, BCD, and regulator correctly. This guide covers gear assembly, air checks, and buddy checks to build solid dive habits.

OK hand signal

Basic Hand Signals

Essential scuba hand signals for clear underwater communication, from OK and problem to low air, turn the dive, and safety stop.

Chalk board math

Trim and Body Positioning

Trim, not just buoyancy, is the key to control underwater. Learn how body position and gear setup affect it, and how to stay flat and efficient.

Chalk board math

Controlled Descents

Controlled descents prevent ear issues, crashes, and buddy separation. Learn to descend slowly, equalize early, and stay together for a smooth start.

Chalk board math

Safety Stops

A safety stop is more than pausing at 15 feet; it is about control and awareness. Learn to hold depth, manage time, and stay with your buddy for a safe ascent.

Mask

Mask Clearing

Mask clearing is essential for handling leaks or floods underwater. Learn why it feels stressful and how to clear smoothly while staying calm and confident.

A row of regulators hanging

Free Flowing Regulator

A free-flowing regulator can empty your tank in just minutes underwater. Learn the main causes, how to respond calmly, and practical ways to prevent it from happening.

Rows of scuba tanks

Sharing Air

Learn the differences between primary donate and octopus donate, their pros and cons, and how to practice with your buddy to be prepared for an out-of-air emergency.

A high school swimming pool with scuba gear in the foreground

Practice in a Pool

Pools are perfect for sharpening scuba skills. Clear, calm conditions let you focus on buoyancy and trim at your own pace. Learn how to practice safely, what to work on, and how to make it count.


Keep building your dive knowledge with these next steps:

Written by Tyler Allison • Last updated October 3, 2025

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