LEARNING GOALS In this chapter you will: • Be introduced to the snorkeling skills you will learn during your course. • Learn the steps for assembling and testing your scuba equipment. • Learn the steps for donning your scuba gear. • Read about some of the methods for entering and exiting the water. • Be introduced to the mask and regulator skills you will learn during your course. • Learn about buoyancy control and buoyancy skills. • Be introduced to the safety skills you will learn during your course. It is one thing to use your diving gear in a swimming pool or other confined water setting, but exploring open water is the purpose of scuba diving. To enjoy diving, you must be able to combine your knowledge of the underwater environment with the ability to handle your equipment under a variety of conditions. You must have the confidence and ability to operate your gear by feel, because your mask will restrict much of your vision. In your NAUI Scuba Diver certification course, you learn the basics of diving, but you become a knowledgeable diver only through additional experience and further training. If your training is occurring during the winter months in an area where the weather is cold, you still have the option of completing your open-water training immediately. You can complete your class through NAUI’s Universal Referral Program by training at a tropical resort under the direction of another instructor. Ask your NAUI instructor for details about this program. SNORKELING SKILLS Developing good snorkeling skills is fundamental to being a good diver. You must know the proper use of your mask, snorkel, and fins. Preparing Your Gear for Use You need to prepare almost all of your new diving gear before you can use it. This is especially true with a new mask. New mask lenses are covered with a thin film of lubricant. You can use toothpaste to remove this lubricant by using the following procedure: 1. Put a dab of mask scrub on the inside of each lens of the mask. 2. Rub the mask scrub over the entire lens. 3. Rinse the mask well with fresh water. Washing the lens with mask scrub helps keep the lens from fogging, which occurs when condensation forms on the inside of the lens. Each time you don your mask for diving, you will need to prepare it so that it will not fog because of the temperature difference inside the mask compared to the surrounding water. The most common way to prevent fogging is to use the following procedure: 1. Apply a few drops of antifog solution 2. Rub the solution on the inside of the lens. 3. Rinse the mask thoroughly. An alternative is to use saliva, but many prefer commercial products. The commercially prepared products usually work more effectively than saliva. To prepare your mask properly, be sure to read the instructions enclosed with the product. The snorkel is usually attached to the left side of your mask strap if your regulator comes around your right side (figure 3-1). Some snorkels are designed to be worn only on the left side. Some snorkels use a silicone snorkel keeper, while others have plastic clips. The snorkel should hang so that the mouthpiece comfortably reaches your mouth and the top is properly positioned behind your head when in use. Your instructor will show you the best way to attach your snorkel to your mask. To prepare your fins for use, make sure you take any storage inserts out of the foot pockets and, if you are wearing heel-strap fins, adjust the straps around your heels for a snug, comfortable fit (figure 3-2). Have your booties on when you adjust the straps. Making the straps too tight can cause your feet to cramp. If the straps are too loose, your kick will be NAUI Scuba Diver 48 Diving Skills
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