If you already love diving, the next step is to build your skills. Advanced techniques open up new kinds of diving, from deep dives to underwater photography.

Deep Diving

Deep diving usually means dives below 60 feet (18 meters), where you see different marine life and rock formations. Things to consider:

Advanced Certification: Most agencies offer advanced open water or deep diving specialty courses. Completing these courses will teach you the skills and safety protocols needed for deep diving.
Managing Nitrogen: Deeper dives expose you to higher levels of nitrogen, which can lead to nitrogen narcosis or decompression sickness. Planning and monitoring your dive with a dive computer are essential.
Proper Gear: Ensure your equipment, especially your regulator and dive computer, is suitable for deep diving.

Wreck Diving

Advanced divers love exploring shipwrecks, where you find history and marine life together. What you need to know:

Wreck Penetration: Some wrecks allow for penetration (swimming inside). If you choose to do this, undergo proper training to avoid entanglement and disorientation.
Navigation: Wrecks can be complex to navigate. Use a compass and reel to avoid getting lost.

Underwater Photography and Videography

Photographing the underwater world is rewarding. Whether you use a GoPro or a bigger camera setup, some tips:

Steady Buoyancy: Maintain good buoyancy control to avoid touching or damaging delicate marine life.
Learn Lighting: Understand how natural light behaves underwater and consider using underwater strobes or lights for better results.

Night Diving

At night the underwater world looks completely different, and nocturnal animals come out. How to prepare:

Specialty Course: Consider taking a night diving specialty course to learn the necessary skills and safety measures.
Lighting: Get a good dive light to light your way and bring out the colors of marine life.

Responsible Diving

As you become a more experienced diver, speak up for marine conservation. Follow the principles of responsible diving, such as not touching or collecting marine life, and participate in underwater clean-up initiatives to protect the oceans you love.

With advanced techniques there is always something new to learn, from deep dives to underwater photography.

Our next post will look at some of the world’s top scuba diving destinations.