10 common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them

Learning to scuba dive is an unforgettable experience, but like any new skill, it comes with a learning curve. Most beginner divers don’t struggle because they “can’t dive,” but because they make a few very common, very fixable mistakes during their first dives. The good news? Almost all beginner scuba diving mistakes are normal, expected, and easy to avoid with the right guidance. Whether you’re trying Discover Scuba Diving or starting your Open Water Course, understanding these mistakes ahead of time will help you feel more confident, safer, and more relaxed underwater.

Let’s break down the 10 most common beginner diving mistakes and how to avoid them.

1. Holding your breath underwater

The mistake: Many beginners instinctively hold their breath, especially when nervous or concentrating.

Why it’s a problem: Scuba diving requires continuous breathing. Holding your breath can cause discomfort and, in rare cases, lung injuries.

How to avoid it:

• Focus on slow, steady breathing
• Think “inhale… exhale…” continuously
• Relax your jaw and shoulders

👉 This is explained and practiced step-by-step during your first dive lesson

2. Poor buoyancy control

The mistake: Beginners often sink too fast, float up unintentionally, or bounce along the reef.

Why it’s a problem: Poor buoyancy increases air consumption, damages coral, and creates stress.

How to avoid it:

• Add or release air slowly from your BCD
• Use your breathing to fine-tune buoyancy
• Stay horizontal, not vertical

Buoyancy is a skill, not a talent. It improves quickly with practice, especially during an Open Water course.

3. Over-using your arms instead of fins

The mistake: New divers often “swim” with their hands.

Why it’s a problem: It wastes energy, disrupts balance, and increases air usage.

How to avoid it:

• Keep your hands still or lightly folded
• Use slow, controlled fin kicks
• Let buoyancy do the work

Once you stop fighting the water, diving becomes effortless.

4. Rushing skills because you’re nervous

The mistake: Trying to clear your mask, descend, or equalise too quickly.

Why it’s a problem: Rushing increases stress and mistakes.

How to avoid it:

• Slow everything down
• Take one skill at a time
• Remember: there is no rush underwater

Beginner programs like Discover Scuba Diving are designed to go at your pace, not the instructor’s.

5. Not equalising early (or often enough)

The mistake: Waiting too long to equalise your ears.

Why it’s a problem: Pressure builds quickly and can cause pain or force you to end the dive early.

How to avoid it:

• Equalise before you feel pressure
• Equalise every few seconds during descent
• Signal your instructor immediately if something feels wrong

A good rule: equalise early, equalise often.

6. Forgetting to check your air

The mistake: Beginners get distracted by marine life and forget to monitor their air supply.

Why it’s a problem: Running low on air too early can shorten the dive or create unnecessary stress.

How to avoid it:

• Check your pressure gauge regularly
• Follow the “rule of thirds” taught in courses
• Communicate air levels with your instructor

Air awareness becomes automatic with experience, especially during a structured Open Water course.

7. Being afraid to communicate

The mistake: Some beginners hesitate to signal discomfort, confusion, or fear.

Why it’s a problem: Instructors can only help if they know how you feel.

How to avoid it:

• Use hand signals freely
• Remember: signaling “not OK” is encouraged
• Trust that your instructor expects this

At professional dive centres like Gili Divers, instructors prefer too much communication over too little.

8. Wearing gear incorrectly (or not speaking up)

The mistake: Accepting uncomfortable equipment without saying anything.

Why it’s a problem: An ill-fitting mask, tight wetsuit, or loose fin can ruin a dive.

How to avoid it:

• Speak up during gear fitting
• Test your mask properly
• Ask for adjustments — it’s normal

Your comfort directly affects your confidence underwater.

9. Touching corals or marine life

The mistake: Accidentally standing on coral or trying to touch fish or turtles.

Why it’s a problem: Corals are fragile and marine life should never be disturbed.

How to avoid it:

• Improve buoyancy
• Keep fins and equipment streamlined
• Observe, don’t interact

Learning to dive responsibly is part of becoming a confident diver, and it’s emphasised from day one in quality training programs.

10. Expecting perfection on your first dive

The mistake: Comparing yourself to experienced divers or feeling frustrated too quickly.

Why it’s a problem: Unrealistic expectations lead to unnecessary stress.

How to avoid it:

• Accept that learning takes time
• Celebrate small wins
• Focus on enjoyment, not performance

Every skilled diver you see once made the exact same beginner mistakes.

Why Most Beginner Mistakes Are Actually a Good Thing

Making mistakes is a natural and essential part of learning to scuba dive. Each small correction you make underwater helps you build confidence, improve your awareness, increase your safety, and relax more with every dive. What feels challenging on your first dive often becomes automatic just a few dives later. With proper instruction and a supportive learning environment, most beginners see noticeable progress within just 2–4 dives. This is exactly why structured training programs like the Open Water certification exist: to guide you step by step through this learning phase, helping you turn initial mistakes into solid, lifelong diving skills. If you’re still unsure whether to commit to a full course, starting with a Discover Scuba experience is a great way to build confidence and understand the basics before progressing further.

‍