What does it feel like to breathe underwater?

The first breath

Breathing underwater is an unfamiliar idea. You are surrounded by water, yet breathing through a regulator allows you to remain beneath the surface and look around.

Some people feel excited immediately. Others need time to get comfortable with the equipment and the sensation. There is no single reaction you are supposed to have.

Getting used to the equipment

A mask helps you see underwater, fins help you move and scuba equipment supplies your breathing gas. During an introductory session, your instructor explains the equipment and guides you through the experience.

You will also be introduced to hand signals, because chatting underwater needs a different approach.

There is no need to arrive knowing how everything works. Asking questions is part of getting started.

A different way to move

Diving can feel very different from swimming at the surface. With practice and appropriate buoyancy control, divers can move slowly and pause to look around without standing on the bottom.

That feeling of being supported by the water is one of the things many divers enjoy. During a first session, getting familiar with the sensation is more important than trying to look polished.

What should you bring?

Check the joining instructions for your booked session. These should explain what to bring, where to meet and which forms need completing beforehand.

• Ask about any medical questions before attending.
• Tell the instructor if you feel uncertain or uncomfortable.
• Take time to understand the explanation and signals.
• Remember that the session is an introduction, not a test of bravery.