You have qualified as a diver. What comes next?

Give yourself time to build experience

Completing your first diving qualification is an achievement worth celebrating. It gives you a foundation to build on as you gain experience within the limits of your training.

You do not need to rush towards deeper dives, more demanding conditions or another course. Becoming comfortable with the basics is a valuable goal in its own right.

Choose dives that suit you

Discuss suitable next dives with your instructor or the person organising the diving. Be clear about your qualification, recent experience and anything you want help with.

A familiar site can provide useful opportunities to practise. Repeating a dive does not mean repeating exactly the same experience: you may notice more as the equipment and routines become familiar.

Keep a useful record

Your dive log can be more than a collection of depths and times. Record the details that will help you prepare for a future dive.

• The equipment configuration and exposure protection used.
• Conditions and the type of diving.
• Skills you practised and feedback received.
• Questions or adjustments to discuss before next time.
• What you enjoyed and would like to explore further.

Ask before buying everything

Equipment choices depend on the diving you intend to do, fit and compatibility. Talk to instructors and experienced divers, and get appropriate advice before making purchases.

When you are ready for further training, choose it around a clear interest or need. A course is most useful when it supports the diving you want to do.

There is no prize for progressing fastest. Enjoy developing at a pace that suits you.