Just got certified or thinking about taking your PADI Open Water Diver course in Toronto? Scuba diving is an amazing sport—but like anything new, it comes with a learning curve. At DiveWorld.ca, we’ve helped hundreds of new divers get comfortable in the water, and we’ve seen the most common beginner mistakes first-hand.

Here are the top 10 beginner scuba diving mistakes—plus tips on how to avoid them so you can dive safely and confidently.

1. Skipping a Proper Gear Check

The Mistake: Rushing through your pre-dive check or assuming your buddy did it for you. How to Avoid It: Always do a full BWRAF (BCD, Weights, Releases, Air, Final OK) check with your buddy. Practice it until it becomes second nature. At DiveWorld, we drill this into all our students—because it saves lives.

2. Holding Your Breath

The Mistake: New divers often instinctively hold their breath, especially when descending. How to Avoid It: Always breathe slowly and continuously. Holding your breath can lead to lung over-expansion injuries. Remember: “Never hold your breath” is rule #1 in scuba.

3. Overweighting Yourself

The Mistake: Carrying too much lead makes buoyancy control harder and increases air consumption. How to Avoid It: Let your instructor help with your weight check. At DiveWorld, we make sure new divers are neutrally buoyant for comfort, safety, and control.

4. Not Equalizing Early and Often

The Mistake: Waiting too long to equalize your ears during descent. How to Avoid It: Start equalizing before you even descend, and continue every few feet. If it hurts, stop, ascend slightly, and try again. Never push through ear pain.

5. Kicking Too Hard or Poor Fin Technique

The Mistake: Big, fast kicks waste energy and stir up silt, ruining visibility. How to Avoid It: Use slow, controlled frog kicks or flutter kicks. Work on proper finning in the pool before open water dives. We offer refresher sessions at DiveWorld if you want to practice.

6. Rushing the Dive

The Mistake: Descending too fast, not taking time to relax and adjust. How to Avoid It: Take your time. Scuba is not a race. Relax, equalize often, and make your descent smooth and stress-free. Slow = safe.

7. Neglecting Buoyancy Control

The Mistake: Constantly inflating/deflating your BCD or hovering too high/low. How to Avoid It: Practice buoyancy drills with a qualified instructor. Consider taking a PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy course at DiveWorld—it’s one of the best things you can do early on.

8. Forgetting to Monitor Air and Depth

The Mistake: Getting too caught up in the dive and forgetting to check your gauges. How to Avoid It: Make it a habit to check your SPG and dive computer every few minutes. Plan your dive and dive your plan.

9. Not Communicating with Your Buddy

The Mistake: Getting separated or not signaling when something feels off. How to Avoid It: Stay close to your buddy, agree on hand signals before the dive, and always let them know if you’re uncomfortable, low on air, or want to ascend.

0. Diving Without a Refresher After Time Off

The Mistake: Jumping back in after a long break without reviewing skills. How to Avoid It: If it’s been more than 6–12 months since your last dive, book a Scuba Refresher course at DiveWorld. You’ll rebuild confidence, review emergency procedures, and get back to diving safely.

 

Final Thoughts Making mistakes is part of learning—but with the right training and support, new divers can avoid the big ones. At DiveWorld, we specialize in helping beginners feel at home underwater, from your very first pool session to your open water certification and beyond. If you’re thinking about learning to dive or brushing up on your skills, check out our upcoming courses at DiveWorld.ca or stop by our shop in Etobicoke. We’ll help you dive smarter, safer, and with way more fun. Start your scuba journey the right way—DiveWorld has your back, from day one.