Andrew Grundy (#AGScuba)

Get there early and watch others.

A lot of guests will try to advise you but challenge them. How often do you dive, how many dives have you done, etc. most peoples assistance is great but you do get a few new divers with 10 to 20 dives completed and they think there are experts.

The dive centre crew will always help and give you great advice.

Re-watch PADI videos on setting up your kit. Visualise the steps while having breakfast.

Listen closely to the boat and dive briefings. There will be a lot of important information given. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. The only stupid question is the one in your head, which you don’t ask. Challenge everything you don’t know or are unsure about. It’s the only way to learn.

Sort you weigh belt out as soon as you see others doing it. Ask the crew how much lead you will need. Helps if you look at your logbook and can remember how much weight you had on you open water dives.

When kitting up make sure you have everything handy and nothing left in the dry area.

Start to get ready early and take your time. It’s not a race, no one cares if you are last.

Remember always do a full buddy check. Make your assigned buddy does it. This is important. Also double check your air is on just before slipping on your BCD. It’s (BWRAF) BCD, weights,releases, air, final ok.

Don’t take a camera, enjoy the dive and focus on your training and especially your buoyancy.

Try to relax during the dive and take long slow breaths.

Monitor you depth gauge, remember if there are advanced divers in your group, they might be going deeper than your certified maximum depth. Hopefully you will be in a group of just open water divers.

Remember to regularly check you air gauge.

Most important relax and enjoy. You will be apprehensive, everyone is on their first dive. Remember even the dive instructors did a 1st dive a few years ago and felt like you will be feeling.