Do You Need A Scuba Refresher?
You love scuba diving. I love scuba diving.
We all love scuba diving!
But as much as we may love diving, sometimes life gets in the way, preventing us from getting in the water as much as we’d like. So whether you’re a seasoned scuba veteran or haven’t been in the water since your certification, it may be time to ask… Do you need a refresher before diving back in?
What Is A Scuba Refresher?
Our Scuba Refresher consists of a light theory review, followed by a reintroduction to scuba equipment, and ending with basic skills practice in Half Moon Bay. The purpose of a Refresher is to ensure you remember how to do those essential underwater skills, like:
Clearing your mask
Clearing and recovering your regulator
Hovering/buoyancy control
Buddy breathing in the event of an emergency
Signals, descents, and ascents
After all, the longer you spend out of the water, the easier it becomes to forget the basic skills you need to be a safe and competent diver.
Who Needs A Refresher?
At Roatan Divers, our policy is that if it has been more than one year since your last dive, we may require you to complete a Refresher before going into the open water. However, the reality is a bit more nuanced than that. For example:
Experience. How experienced was the diver before going on a hiatus? A diver who only does one to three dives in a year, and then takes a break, is a lot different than someone who does twenty to fifty dives in a year, and then takes a break.
Outdated Training. Refreshers don’t just clear out the cobwebs. Those who were certified a long time ago may also wish to complete a Refresher, as new skills have become part of the program that they may not have learned! Take SMB Deployment, for example.
Environment. Keep environmental experience in mind! If you’re used to diving in lakes, a Refresher can help detect any weighting or buoyancy adjustments that need to be made before going into the ocean.
Certification Level. If you were freshly certified and haven’t dove since your certification - even if it was only three to six months ago - you should definitely complete a Refresher! This is because the skills you learned weren’t repeatedly practiced. However, a certified Divemaster who took a two year hiatus due to, say, COVID, likely would not need a Refresher.
If you’re an Instructor that’s been out of the water for a while, sites like Jooble may be able to help you find a job and get back in the water!
The Final Conclusion
When in doubt, refresh it out! In order to react quickly, calmly, and safely during an emergency, both muscle memory and comfort come into play. Practice makes perfect, and will ensure you can easily complete these essential skills in case they are needed. After all, concern and awareness for yourself, your buddies, and the environment are all the ingredients that make for a great diver!
