As an experienced diver with more than 200 logged dives, James Lynn
Granum Jr. is able to offer advice to novice divers and has also worked
in Indonesia, leading teams of divers in both day and nighttime
conditions. He always encourages people to try the activity for
themselves and offers the following advice to people who are just
getting started.
Log Your Dives
You should start a
log of your dives after completing your very first one, as it will act
as a running record of your progress. Furthermore, the information
contained in your log can be used to highlight weaker areas for you to
improve on or to let you know what went wrong if a dive didn’t go as
well as you expected it to.
The Pressure Gauge
A lot
of new divers take the first reading they get from their pressure gauge
as given. However, it is possible that the “full-tank” reading you get
when you first enter the water is erroneous. Make sure to take a couple
of breaths before entering the water properly. If the needle on your
gauge stays on the “full-tank” reading you are good to go, but if it
dips you may need to check your tank.
Keep Cool
Some
people get into trouble when they first start diving because they start
to panic. While calmness will come with experience, James Lynn Granum Jr. still tells people to always keep their wits about them. Stay close
to your diving partner and head towards the surface if you start to feel
nervous or uncomfortable.
