Scuba diving is one of the most popular sports, not only because it is one of the scariest – thereby bringing immense satisfaction to the more adventurous of people – but also because it opens vistas to a new world, the world that lies underneath us; undiscovered; untouched by humankind.

If you’re about to go scuba dive for the first time, you are likely confused and unsure of what to expect. Listed below are some of the things you can expect to encounter during your first scuba diving experience. 

Panic

Scuba diving goes against all our basic instincts. Our bodies are designed to float on the surface of the water, and it is only normal to panic while going against the rules of nature. To avoid panic, close your eyes and visualize the perfect dive.

Once your fear dissolves and your body stops fighting the downward motion that makes you sink instead of float, you’ll notice that your panic dissipates and your dive goes smoothly.

Pressure

As you go deeper underwater, your body will begin to react to the pressure on the outside physically. As such, be prepared for pressure on your eardrums and certain discomfort. Go through the correct exercises to alleviate these with your instructor.

Glitches

Where there is machinery, glitches are probable.

Your mask could fill up with water, the oxygen supply could dysfunction, your fins could pop off – there’s a world of things that could possibly go wrong. But that’s what your instructor’s there for.

Do not worry; whatever the glitch, your instructor is equipped to handle it.

Beauty

Now that you’ve rid yourself of your fear and your senses have acclimatized to the conditions underwater, you can sit back, relax, and begin to soak in the beauty of the aquatic world. If you’re deep enough, you’ll be swimming with the fish, and if you’re not, you’ll be around corals and aquatic plants. 

Remember – since there is very little that you know about the world underwater – that you will often be taken by surprise by the beings that live there.

Do not panic, for regions secured for scuba diving are safe and free of harmful beings.

Peace

Finally, as you get used to the aquatic life, begin to be flooded with a sense of peace and calm that only the water can impart.

Enjoy these few minutes away from the madness of the crazy world, and make the most of these moments of undisturbed peace.