(Newswire.net — May 21, 2020) — Scuba diving is an incredibly exhilarating hobby, yet many people refuse to embark on a scuba endeavor because they fear they’re not physically fit enough to handle the stress of the ocean. While it’s certainly true that scuba diving isn’t easy and requires a certain level of physical fitness, many individuals who talk themselves out of scuba trips fail to realize how achievable scuba-level fitness is if you’re dedicated enough to exploring the majesty of our seas.
Here are some tips to follow when it comes to getting fit for scuba diving, and what mistakes you’ll want to avoid when you make your first trip below the waves.
Start with physical fitness
It’s important to begin with your physical fitness, as you’ll never be able to scuba dive unless you meet certain physical requirements. Only after you’ve mastered the physical fitness aspect of scuba preparation should you move onto the mental elements of preparing yourself for your forthcoming endeavor. You should know right away that scuba diving is stressful insofar as your cardiovascular system is concerned, so those with cardiovascular diseases or related issues should consult medical experts before attempting to invest themselves into scuba diving.
Endurance exercises are thus ideal ways to prepare your body for scuba diving; in the coming weeks, you’ll want to run and swim in order to elevate your cardiovascular abilities to the greatest extent possible. You should rely on expert resources provided by the Center for Disease Control that can help you bolster your cardiovascular health. Of course, there’s no way to achieve the level of physical fitness that’s required to go scuba diving unless you also make changes to your diet, so don’t think shaking up your exercise regime will be enough to get you under the waves.
What do scuba divers eat, anyway? While there’s no universally recognize food that’s particularly amazing for scuba divers, given that so many people from such a wide array of backgrounds love the hobby and thus have their own dietary preferences, there are some helpful guides you can rely on to ensure you mostly stick to healthy foods. Knowing what to eat before you dive is one of the essential elements of being an expert scuba diver, so don’t be afraid to do your homework if your current diet is lackluster when it comes to your health and wellbeing.
If you’re not ready to make basic changes to your diet and lifestyle in order to prepare yourself for a scuba trip, you may not have what it takes physically to do the trip safely and enjoyably. Maritime training is tough, and you should ensure you are free of injuries by getting an MRI from Express MRI. But this is meant to prepare you for the exciting adventure to come, so failing to make the cut when practicing ensures you won’t embark on a real scuba trip that potentially endangers you.
Know what you’ll need
After you’ve begun making physical preparations for your impending scuba trip, it’s also worthwhile to set some time aside to make sure your gear is in order. Not having what you need when you dip below the surface can be a terrifying experience, and in some cases it can be dangerous. If you’re embarking on a peculiar dive, such as a night dive, you may need special equipment like a flashlight which may not otherwise be called for. Always be willing to ask questions to your dive team leader or scuba instructor if you’re feeling helpless, as they exist to steer you through these early experiences where you lack personal knowhow.
Make sure you’re not getting dehydrated and try to stay away from alcohol. Drinking too much booze can lead to a disaster at sea and getting sick before your first dive is an excellent way to miss out on an amazing opportunity. If you can prevent yourself from partying, you may not have the self-control needed to turn scuba diving into a regular hobby of yours.
You’ll eventually need to fill out a medical statement declaring your fit to dive – under no circumstances should you provide false medical information. No matter how much you want to scuba dive, lying about your health won’t only imperil your trip, but could come back to legally haunt you. Follow these tips, and you’ll be fit enough to scuba dive in no time.