Scuba diving lessons are one of the most popular recreational activities in the world. In fact, 2015 alone saw about 3.27 million people participate in scuba diving as a recreational sport. But like all things, scuba diving takes some practice, and it can be a little bit challenging at first.

Whether you’ve already started taking scuba diving lessons or you’re planning on taking some in the future, here are the top four tips for scuba divers who are just starting out on their underwater adventures.

Safety First

Before you check into a diving school, make sure you’re doing your homework. Every school should have some form of online reviews, whether it’s from students or staff there. If you notice any trends of disorganization or skipped safety briefings, you should probably take your business elsewhere.

Practice Makes Perfect

Before you even think about scheduling your first dive, you need to make a point of practicing swimming and yoga. Swimming will help strengthen the core muscle groups you’ll need out in open water, which is important for maximum mobility. In contrast, yoga will help you control your breathing. This is essential to practice scuba diving, as breath control is imperative.

Ask Questions

If you’re unsure of how a piece of equipment works or you’re nervous about the dive, don’t ever hesitate to ask questions. It’s always better to be safe and informed, no matter how simple your question might be. Whenever you’re uncomfortable with something, you should ask a question about it to ease your worries.

Stay Healthy

Whatever you do, you should under absolutely no circumstances go diving if you have a sinus infection or a cold. The congestion and pressure in your nasal passages will make it extremely difficult, and perhaps even impossible to equalize.

Beginner scuba diving lessons are an amazing opportunity to learn a new skill and experience a new adventure. But above all else, you need to remember that preparation is key to your success here. Don’t forget to use these four helpful tips when preparing for your beginner scuba classes!