You’re excited, you’ve booked your dream dive holiday, and you’re busy, right? Now you’re thinking, ‘Hey, I can squeeze in my Open Water Diver course just before I go.’ In my experience as co-owner of a dive center and after many trips, this is not the best option. I've seen this scenario play out countless times, and I want to help you avoid some common pitfalls. Scuba diving is a new, physically and mentally demanding activity that requires a learning curve. Here are 5 reasons to space out the course and trip:
1. You're Still Finding Your Fins
Remember learning to ride a bike? Scuba diving feels a bit like that at first - wobbly and sometimes overwhelming. Diving is an adventure sport with risks. Between figuring out how to breathe underwater (yeah, it's different!), managing your gear, and trying to swim in three dimensions, there's a lot to wrap your head around. Confidence builds over time with practice and familiarity with the gear and being underwater.
A big dive trip isn’t the ideal setting to “just get used to it all.” This places extra pressure on you as a newly qualified diver. Since you’re new to diving, you don’t know what to expect. Conditions differ tremendously from place to place and can cause stress.
2. Buoyancy blunders are common at first.
Most new divers struggle with buoyancy control. Think of buoyancy control as learning to dance underwater - you need to find your rhythm with breathing and your BCD. At first, you might look more like a windmill swimming with your arms than a graceful sea creature. But don't worry, that's all part of the journey.
Without solid buoyancy, you bounce up and down and move around too much. This uses more energy and therefore, more air.
3. High air consumption reduces dive time.
Inexperience usually equals faster breathing. Some people are more anxious than others. It’s normal to feel stress as a new diver, which causes you to use more air, shortening bottom time and frustrating dive buddies. You don’t want to be the one who causes the dive to be cut short.
4. You're Uncomfortable with Your Gear
New divers are still figuring out their gear underwater. Dive trips often involve unfamiliar environments, boats, or rental gear — adding to the stress. Familiarity with your gear and quick access to your backup regulator, dump valves, clips, or inflator hose makes you a more confident and safe diver.
5. You Miss Out on Enjoying the Dive Trip
Instead of relaxing and soaking in the experience, you might spend your dives anxious or fixated on skills. It can feel more like “surviving the dive” than enjoying it. You don’t want to miss special moments or marine life encounters.
The Exception vs. The Rule
Some people are naturals — and that’s awesome! I’ve seen many of them; they take to diving like penguins to ice. But, for most new divers, gaining experience before a big trip makes sense. A few local dives after certification help build confidence, improve skills, and reduce anxiety. This means when you embark on that dream vacation, you’ll be ready to appreciate the underwater world, focus on marine life, and create lasting memories instead of worrying about basic diving mechanics.
Your Pre-Trip Game Plan
Let me walk you through what we recommend to all our students before their big trips:
Do your course locally or ahead of your trip. This allows you to get a few dives, build muscle memory, learn your gear, and become comfortable underwater.
Next, focus on getting comfortable with different conditions. The ocean isn't like your training pool - it's dynamic and ever-changing. I've seen perfect conditions turn challenging in hours. Starting with local dives helps you understand how to handle currents, poor visibility, or unexpected weather changes.
Most importantly, learn to read your own comfort signals. Being able to say "not today" is just as important as being able to dive.
Look, I get it—dive trips aren't cheap, and you want to make every moment count. That's exactly why taking time to build experience beforehand is so valuable. Sure, dive guides do their best to keep everyone safe, but I've seen how much more people enjoy their trips when they're comfortable with the basics.
Bonus Tip: Continue Learning!
I’m always thankful for my dive training. Thinking back to how each new certification opened up a whole new underwater world for me. Continuing your education isn't just about ticking boxes—it's about unlocking adventures. Whether it's diving deeper, exploring haunting wrecks, or experiencing the magic of a night dive, each new skill adds another dimension to your diving. You could pursue:
- The Advanced Diver course is a valuable next step because it builds confidence, enhances skills through supervised specialty dives, and expands your experience in diverse underwater environments. Upon completion, you’re qualified to dive down to 40 meters, which opens up a new range of dive sites and experiences.
- You can explore specialty courses like: Peak Performance Buoyancy, Deep, Wreck, Nitrox, Dry Suit, Digital Underwater Photography, Night Diving, and more.
- You could do your Rescue Diver course, which was one of my favorites. You need to be Advanced certified for this one. This course equips you with the skills and confidence to prevent, recognize, and manage diving emergencies, making you a more responsible and capable diver and dive buddy. I enjoyed this course; it boosted my confidence and made me feel more capable in the water.
Most courses include dives, so why not enroll in your next course instead of paying for fun dives? More training = more confidence, less stress, better air consumption, and overall improved dive experiences.
Take the Plunge—But Take Your Time
I still remember my first "real" dive after certification—that moment when everything clicked, and I could finally focus on the beauty around me instead of worrying about my gear. That's the experience I want for you. Take your time, build your confidence, and when you're ready, the underwater world will be waiting with all its wonders.
If you're planning your dive journey and want to chat about what's best for you, drop by the center. There's always coffee brewing, and we love sharing stories from our own diving adventures.
Happy bubbles!
by Madelein Wolfaardt
All images ©️ by @sealife_madeleinwolf
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