Getting Back in the Water: A Guide for Divers After a Long Break

Whether it’s been months or even years since your last dive, returning to scuba can feel both exciting and a bit intimidating. Your skills, comfort, and confidence may need a little tune-up—and that’s completely normal.

This checklist is designed to help you safely ease back into diving after a long layoff. From refreshing your knowledge to checking your gear, these tips will ensure you're ready to dive smart, safe, and stress-free.

1. Book a Refresher Course

   • Take a “Skills Update” course with one of our certified instructors who will assist you to rebuild your confidence and update key skills.

2. Check Your Certification and Medical Status

   • Make sure your diving certifications are still valid and up to date; consult a dive doctor if you've had health changes.

3. Get Your Gear Serviced

   • Bring your scuba gear and have your regulator, BCD, dive computer, and tanks professionally inspected and serviced in our scuba workshop before diving.

4. Inspect and Test Personal Gear

   • Try on your wetsuit, mask, fins, etc., to ensure they still fit and function properly. Replace mask straps or perished fin straps and other worn-out gear.

5. Start with Easy Dives

   • Choose shallow, calm-water dives to ease back into diving- rebuild your comfort levels underwater in a calm encvironment.

6. Dive with a Trusted Buddy or Guide

   • Avoid solo diving. Go with someone experienced who knows the local area and can help if needed.

7. Review Your Dive Tables or Computer Use

   • Refresh your understanding of no-decompression limits, safety stops, and dive planning.

8. Practice Basic Skills

   • Spend a few minutes at the start of the dive practicing mask clearing, buoyancy control, and regulator retrieval.

9. Take It Slow and Stay Relaxed

   • Avoid overexerting yourself. Move slowly to conserve air and stay aware of your surroundings.

10. Double-Check Buoyancy and Weights

• Your buoyancy needs may have changed. Do a buoyancy check at the surface before your first dive.

11. Stay Hydrated and Rested

• Dehydration and fatigue increase the risk of decompression sickness. Drink water and get plenty of rest before diving.

12. Rebuild Dive Fitness

• Improve cardio and general fitness before diving again, especially if you've been inactive during the layoff.

13. Log Your Dives and Reflect

• Keep a dive log to track your progress and identify any areas that need improvement.