What is the basic rule of scuba?
Never hold your breath. This is undoubtedly by far the most crucial of all safety rules for diving because failure to adhere could result in fatality. If you hold your breath underwater at the depths at which scuba divers reach then the fluctuating pressure of air in your lungs can rupture the lung walls. The Rules of Scuba Diving: Never Hold Your Breath. Plan Your Dive. Dive Within Your Limits.Never hold your breath. This is undoubtedly by far the most crucial of all safety rules for diving because failure to adhere could result in fatality. If you hold your breath underwater at the depths at which scuba divers reach then the fluctuating pressure of air in your lungs can rupture the lung walls.While there’s no precise depth at which a human would be ‘crushed’, diving beyond certain limits (around 60 meters) without proper equipment and gas mixes can lead to serious health issues due to the pressure effects on the body, including nitrogen narcosis and oxygen toxicity.
What is no deco in scuba?
No Deco Time is the time you can stay at the current depth without entering decompression. An exact accounting of depth and time is essential to safe diving. The maximum recommended depth for sport divers is 100 feet. Nitrogen under pressure has a toxic effect on the body at depths in excess of 100 feet.The rule suggests that the depth of the dive (in feet) and the time spent underwater (in minutes) should not exceed a combined total of 120. The goal of this rule is to keep divers within a range where they can avoid serious risks such as nitrogen narcosis and decompression sickness.Here’s an overview of each certification: PADI Open Water Divers can plan and execute dives with a certified buddy or dive professional to a maximum depth of 18 meters/60 feet. PADI Scuba Divers may only dive under the direct supervision of a PADI Professional to a maximum depth of 12 meters/40 feet.The need to do decompression stops increases with depth. A diver at 6 metres (20 ft) may be able to dive for many hours without needing to do decompression stops. At depths greater than 40 metres (131 ft), a diver may have only a few minutes at the deepest part of the dive before decompression stops are needed.
How to choose a wetsuit for scuba?
Your wetsuit should fit tightly from top to bottom, conforming to your body without gaps or pockets. It should feel like compression shorts – snug with a bit of pressure. The seals at your neck, wrists, and ankles should be snug but comfortable. If any feel too tight or painful, you may need a different size or suit. Check if there is any area where the wetsuit restricts your movement or feels uncomfortable. No excessive stretching around the neck and wrists. The collar should be snug without being too tight, while the wrist seals should sit smoothly against your skin without feeling too tight or loose.Here’s how to achieve the ideal wetsuit fit: Snug but Not Restrictive: The wetsuit should fit snugly around your body without restricting your breathing or movement. If you feel constricted or unable to bend comfortably, the wetsuit might be too small.A safe open water wetsuit should be a 3:3 thickness for women and a 3:5 thickness for men. This means 3mm of neoprene around the chest and legs for women, and 3mm of neoprene around the chest for men and 5mm of neoprene around the legs for men.Wetsuits are meant to be pretty tight. Tight is good, as it means there are no pockets where water can pool and make you cold. The caveat here is that you should still be able to move your arms. If it feels a little restrictive right now, that’s okay.So in theory not wearing anything that can interfere with that layer will make your wetsuit work more efficiently. Also wearing anything under an already tight-fitting wetsuit will reduce flexibility, so if you want the maximum range of movement in your wetsuit, it’s probably best to wear nothing under it.
Should I buy a 3mm or 5mm wetsuit?
You can dive a 5 mm in any temperature, even very warm without overheating. It just doesn’t do that much. I’ve done long dives in the low 80s and gotten cold when the dive exceeds 1 hour in a 3 mm. If you’re primarily in warmer waters, a 3mm suit should be sufficient, if you’re primarily in waters where temperatures hover around the mid-teens, a 4mm suit should be more than enough. But if you plan to tackle cold waters or winter waves, a 5mm wetsuit will keep you toasty and ready for anything.Obviously, it is also possible to have a wetsuit that’s too tight. If it constricts your breathing, if moving your arms up and down feels like you’re lifting deadweights, if you need to call the fire brigade to get it on or off, there is a chance your wetsuit is too small for you.Reading the temperature guide Generally, you’ll find yourself using wetsuits that fall in the middle of the spectrum. For instance, a 3mm shortie or steamer is perfect for water temperatures between 18° and 24°C (65° – 75°F) and serves as an ideal high summer suit for the UK and other parts of Europe.You’ll feel cold, weighed down, and sad. If your suit fits properly, that single thin layer of water becomes securely trapped, and because it’s trapped it will heat up. You’ll feel warm, lightweight, and happy when swimming. So a wetsuit should be a tight fit.Just ask yourself If my suit doesn’t perfectly match the water temp would I rather be a little too warm or a little too cold? Most would probably go for a 4/3 as a winter suit.
What to wear under a wetsuit?
Swimwear Men can wear swim shorts, briefs or jammers under a wetsuit. We wouldn’t recommend boardshorts as your wetsuit is meant to be really tight and boardshorts are usually not. They tend to bunch up and could cause chafing and generally lead to discomfort. Swimwear is a practical choice to wear under a wetsuit – a bikini or swimming costume for women and swim trunks or swim shorts for men. Swimwear is designed to fit seamlessly against your body, and can also prevent chafing on those more ‘delicate’ areas, shall we say. It’s quick-drying, hygienic and comfortable.Do wetsuits stretch over time? First, you have to remember that wetsuits are made for the water. If you buy a wetsuit in the wrong size, it isn’t going to stretch to fit you better. Sure, after many years of wear, the wetsuit might stretch out a bit, but you want to buy a wetsuit in the right size to begin with.You should always consider personal comfort and the sizing guidelines, but if you’re between sizes, it’s usually recommended to go with the smaller size. This helps ensure a snug fit and comfort underwater. Just remember, it’s essential that the wetsuit is not too tight.Your wetsuit should fit tightly from top to bottom, conforming to your body without gaps or pockets. It should feel like compression shorts – snug with a bit of pressure. The seals at your neck, wrists, and ankles should be snug but comfortable. If any feel too tight or painful, you may need a different size or suit.