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Frequently asked questions about Gili Air

Frequently asked questions about Gili Air

Tips to sleep better Stress and anxiety can cause disruption in sleep making it more important than ever to practice good sleep hygiene. When it comes to your health, sleep is as important as staying active and eating healthy. Get more shuteye with these nine 

Can a Healthy Habit Ever Become Unhealthy?

Can a Healthy Habit Ever Become Unhealthy?

Habits are good. They help bring structure to your life. It stands to reason, then, that healthy habits are doubly good. Not only do they provide stability and routine, they come with health-boosting, life-improving benefits. Three healthy habits that get the most attention are exercise, 

Why complete the PADI Divemaster course? Much more than just a certification.

Why complete the PADI Divemaster course? Much more than just a certification.

The PADI Divemaster course is one of the most rewarding scuba diving certifications you can complete.

This’s not just because it’s one of the most time consuming, or because it is the first professional qualification. The Divemaster course is so fulfilling because it provides you with invaluable skills and unforgettable experiences that enrich many aspects of your life, not just your scuba diving. You can visit our website and choose the best option for you.

Whether or not you plan to pursue a career in the scuba diving industry, the PADI Divemaster course has a lot to offer you. Most of us are aware that the divemaster course provides you with the opportunity to hone your diving skills and gain work experience in a dive shop. But did you know there are many other, less obvious, benefits of completing the course? Visit https://www.firstpost.com/health/protetox-reviews-a-legitimate-weight-loss-pill-or-scam-11186701.html.

Becoming a divemaster is a big commitment of both time and energy but we believe that the rewards far outweigh the costs. No matter what your next step may be. In case you needed a little help committing, here’s why completing your PADI Divemaster course should be your next big adventure.

Become a confident and competent divemaster. Know how to handle yourself in all situations.

Hanging out at the safety stop scuba diving

This one is kind of obvious, but still worth highlighting as it’s a big part of your journey to becoming a divemaster. Throughout the course, you will be exposed to many different scenarios, both real and staged. You will learn and practise the skills to deal with these unforeseen situations and potential emergencies, whilst remaining calm. And by the end of the course, you will know how to handle yourself and help others, both above and below the surface.

Although the PADI Rescue Diver course introduces you to this, the timescale and in-depth workshops involved of the PADI Divemaster course provides you with a much stronger understanding of looking after yourself and others. Plus the opportunity to practise and use those skills in real situations. Being able to handle stressful situations and solve problems quickly is a skill you can take with you in any area of life, not just scuba diving!

Strong reverse current? Burst O-ring? Panicking diver? No problem. You know exactly how to handle it without getting flustered!

Become part of the scuba diving team.

Great scuba diving team at Oceans5

When you complete your divemaster, you’re not a regular customer at the shop anymore. You become part of the team. You are welcomed into the shop as part of the family. If you are already a diver, you will be familiar with the fun and friendly atmosphere of dive centres, and as a Divemaster candidate. You get to be a part of that every day. Sounds awesome to us!

Being part of the team also allows you to gain valuable insight into the running of a dive centre and gain experience working as part of a team. Dive centres often have some pretty big characters and a variety of cultures and nationalities. Learning to work with different people in challenging environments is always a beneficial experience!

Discover a new diving place.

Gili air island
Get to know Gili Air inside out!

You can complete your Divemaster course in as little as 4 weeks. But we recommend at least 2 months to really get the most out of your training. Therefore, you will live in the area where the dive centre is located. This is a very different to just travelling through or spending time as part of a holiday. You will be essentially living and working, developing your routines and discovering the best parts of the area. From finding those secret spots for trying the tastiest home-cooked dishes, to picking up some of the local language or just waving good morning to your neighbours. When you stay somewhere longer you become part of the community. This allows you to experience a different way of life.

Your discovery isn’t just on land. During your Divemaster course, you will be able to fully explore the local dive sites. You’ll find out where that cute pink frogfish likes to hang out, where the juvenile white tip sharks rest during the day and you may even start to know some of the turtles in the Gilis by name! You learn to appreciate the little things and notice subtle changes, as well as refining your guiding skills.

Stay fit.

Although not the main reason people complete their Divemaster, your physical fitness will certainly improve. Apart from diving every day, you will also be carrying tanks, setting up gear, lifting yourself up onto the boat and helping newbie divers both above and below the water. All of that combined is just as effective, if not more, as a regular fitness regime. Getting (or staying) fit is just one of the additional benefits of the PADI Divemaster course.

Dive every day.

scuba diving and a turtle
Get up close and personal with the locals

One of the main benefits of completing your Divemaster course is that you have the chance to go scuba diving every day. Something we are all aiming for in life! Every day you have the chance to explore below the surface and encounter your favourite marine life. Did we mention that we see turtles of 99% of our dives here on the Gilis? Who wouldn’t want to swim with turtles every day? Count us in.

Meet people from all over the world.

Meet people from all over the world group shot after beach clean up

Scuba diving attracts people from all corners of the globe. As a Divemaster candidate you get to meet people from many different walks of life, with a variety of cultures and backgrounds. The interesting conversations and variety of stories told is enjoyable enough. But don’t forget to consider the future benefits of this amazing networking. Perhaps that guy you chatted to about nudibranchs is friends with someone who is hiring for a role you’d be perfect for? Or even introduces you to your future partner? You never know who you might meet in the diving industry, or how you might be able to help each other out in the future. Perfect excuse to expand you friends list on Facebook!

Make life-long friends.

Scuba diving girls

Most dive centres will have more than just one Divemaster candidate at a time, meaning that it’s likely you’ll be embarking on this journey with others who share your passion for all things scuba. When you’re spending around 2 months with these people, as well as the dive centre staff, it’s likely you’ll make at least one friend for life, if not more! Sharing the highs and lows of the Divemaster training and living away from your home and family often generates strong bonds between people. Throw in the fact you all love the ocean and you’ve got a recipe for lasting friendships!

Add invaluable skills to your CV.

setting up scuba diving equipment

It is obvious that the Divemaster Course is a vital part of your CV is you want to work in scuba diving. But have you considered how the valuable skills and experience you gain are extremely relevant for most careers, not just diving?

During the Divemaster course you develop a high level of professionalism and customer service. You practise leadership through guiding and scuba reviews (refresher/tune ups), public speaking and presenting through briefings. You learn risk management and safety considerations, first aid, boat management, working efficiently as part of a team, practical problem solving. These are all transferable skills that will help you excel in whichever direction you take your career in. Don’t forget to note these down in your next job application!

Be an ocean ambassador & support marine conservation.

Beach clean up on Gili Air

Both during your Divemaster and afterwards, you are an ambassador of the ocean. You help to educate others and raise awareness of the threats to the marine world. During your divemaster course, it is likely you will have the chance to get involved in marine conservation activities or events. At Oceans5 Dive, we encourage our Divemaster candidates to run our weekly beach cleanups and get involved in our monthly reef clean-up dives, as well as participate in events run by our partners The Gili Shark Conservation.

The PADI Divemaster course is much more than just a diving certification. It provides you with key skills alongside unforgettable and unique life experiences. There is no doubt that this should be your next adventure!

Happy divemaster diving

At Oceans 5 Dive on Gili Air, we welcome Divemaster candidates to start anytime. As mentioned, we recommend you spend at least 8 weeks with us for the course, but if you are tight on time we can tailor the course to suit your requirements. Please don’t hesitate to send us a message if you have any questions about the PADI Divemaster Course.

We believe that the Divemaster Course is more than just ticking off the PADI requirements. We strive to deliver you the best possible training to suit your personal and professional goals. As a 5* PADI Career Development Centre, we offer our Divemaster candidates the opportunity to learn additional skills, from fish and coral identification to a neutrally buoyant skills circuit. With an onsite PADI course director, 2 staff instructors, our Divemaster candidates receive high-quality training that goes above and beyond what is needed to pass.

Instructors briefing the divemasters

You also get the opportunity to live on the idyllic Indonesian Island of Gili Air. With no motorised vehicles, beautiful white beaches, jewel-like waters and wonderfully welcoming locals, there really is no better place to spend a few months!

So, are you ready for your next adventure?

If you have an infectious love for the ocean that you just must share, and are ready to develop both yourself and your diving, then you are the perfect candidate for the PADI Divemaster course. We can’t wait to meet you!

Beautiful ocean around Gili Air on our dive boat

Becoming a PADI Diving Instructor at Oceans5 Dive: An interview with IDC Graduates Mermaid Meg & Scuba Sal

Becoming a PADI Diving Instructor at Oceans5 Dive: An interview with IDC Graduates Mermaid Meg & Scuba Sal

Becoming a scuba diving instructor is a big investment. And we’re not talking about the money. The Instructor Development Course (IDC) is an investment of your time and energy, as well as a commitment to a new career and potentially new lifestyle. It’s a big 

So, what is there to do on Gili Air?

So, what is there to do on Gili Air?

We all know that Gili Air is famous for scuba diving. Exploring the crystal clear waters, swimming through schools of colourful fish and hanging out with turtles, is certainly one of the best ways to spend your time. But what about those surface intervals? Or 

Spines, Stings, and Bites: How to avoid and treat common marine life injuries.

Spines, Stings, and Bites: How to avoid and treat common marine life injuries.

The ocean is full of fascinating and wondrous creatures, hence our love for scuba diving. Along with their beauty, however, some of these aquatic organisms can cause harm to us as we explore their underwater home.

From jellyfish stings to sea urchin spines, it is likely that most of us will have an unpleasant encounter with aquatic life at some point. Knowing how to avoid these injuries, what creatures to be wary of and the right treatment to employ can help you to fully enjoy exploring our oceans.  

Why do marine life injuries happen?

Marine life injuries are quite rare, considering how many creatures there are in the ocean that can cause harm to us. There are two main reasons that they occur.  1. We’ve provoked the animal, either by getting too close or harassing them. In these cases, the animal feels threatened and defends itself. 2. We were not paying enough attention to our surroundings and may have accidentally brushed against, touched or stepped on a hazardous animal.  These are the latest java burn reviews.

“it is extremely rare to be attacked by an unprovoked marine animal…”

The important thing to understand is that it is extremely rare to be attacked by an unprovoked marine animal and that we are often the ones at fault for sustaining a marine life injury. The good news is that most of these are easily avoidable or treated. Read more about the best appetite suppressant.

If you are unfortunate enough to sustain a marine life injury, there are a few simple steps you can take to reduce the effects. In minor cases, delivering effective first aid provides pain relief and may be all that is needed. In serious cases, it can provide vital care, significantly improving the victim’s chance of survival whilst waiting for professional help to arrive. Here is our advice on how to avoid and treat common aquatic injuries and ensure that you can continue to safely enjoy the ocean.  

 How can you avoid marine life injuries?

Prevention is always better than cure. With a little care and common sense, it is easy to avoid marine life injuries. Protecting ourselves from harm also helps to preserve the marine environment. Here are our top tips to safely enjoy the oceans.

Be aware of your surroundings.

Look around when you are diving, swimming or walking in the water. Watch where you place your hands or feet. Always keep an eye out for any aquatic life that may be close so you can avoid accidental encounters.  

Stay informed.

There will often be warning signs near the beach if there is a specific threat to be aware of, for example, jellyfish. Alternatively having a quick browse online before you go can help keep you know what to look out for.

Shuffle, don’t step.

If you’re walking in shallow or sandy water, shuffling your feet can help you avoid stepping directly on an animal. The animal might also feel you coming and get out of the way. Try out the Best semen volume enhancers.

Never poke, pet or pick up.

Aquatic animals will only attack when they feel threatened. Never engage in any activities that may provoke marine life. Keep a safe distance, we are guests in their home. Even shells or rocks could be home to a potentially harmful creature. Do not touch dead animals or even pieces of them, a lone tentacle can still contain venom.  

Stay covered.

Wearing appropriate exposure protection can help protect you against stings from creatures and scratches from coral. For example; a wetsuit, rash guard or wet shoes which you can get online on ShoeAdviser. However, still keep in mind that some creatures have spines that can pierce a shoe or wetsuit. These are the best exipure real reviews.

Practice good buoyancy control.

As a diver, good buoyancy is the easiest way to avoid aquatic life injuries. By staying off the bottom, you avoid accidental brushes of your limbs on coral and other animals.

So, how do you treat marine life injuries?

‘Don’t touch’ is a fundamental rule of observing marine life. We all know that keeping our hands to ourselves is the best defense against injuries underwater, as well as the best way to avoid damaging the marine environment. Sometimes, however, contact with harmful flora and fauna underwater is either unexpected or unavoidable. Take in mind that diving for longer or frequent periods may eventually cause temporal hearind loss caused by the deep pressure, learn how to treat it with sonus complete for tinnitus.

Jellyfish

A jellyfish sting is one of the most common marine life injuries. Reactions vary from person to person, including numbness, mild itching, severe pain or nothing at all. Jellyfish tentacles have microscopic barbs, which release toxins when they come into contact with your skin, even broken-off tentacles. This can happen when diving, swimming or even when walking along the shore. Broken tentacles or dead jellyfish washed up on the beach can still release toxins if stepped on.

How to treat a jellyfish sting:

  1. Remove the victim from the water. If the species is identified as a particularly dangerous one, e.g. Portuguese man of war or box jellyfish, (don’t worry we don’t have these in the Gilis), alert the emergency services.
  2. Wash with vinegar to neutralise the stinging cells. Do NOT rinse with fresh water or urine and avoid rubbing the affected area as this will trigger the stinging cells to release their venom and intensify the pain.
  3. Keep the victim still and avoid elevating the affected area to avoid toxins spreading through the body.
  4. Remove any visible tentacles using sterile tweezers, forceps or gloves and rinse area thoroughly with salt water to wash away any remaining nematocysts (stinging cells).
  5. Immerse the affected area in hot water or apply a heat pack (approximately 113’F/45’C) to reduce the pain. Some physicians may also recommend painkillers, anti-inflammatory or topical anesthetic may also be used.

Stings from a jellyfish can range from uncomfortable to life-threatening. The severity of the sting depends on the species of jellyfish, physiology of the victim, body part affected and size of the area affected. For example, a small child or someone allergic to the sting will have a stronger reaction.

Most jellyfish stings are minor and require only basic first aid as detailed above. However, some stings can be serious or even fatal. If you experience paralysis, difficulty breathing, chest pain or a large area was stung, seek professional medical help as soon as possible.

Anemone stings are also treated in the same way.

Stonefish, Scorpionfish and Lionfish

All three of these fish have several venomous spines on their fins. If your skin is punctured by one of these spines, you will usually experience immediate, intense localised pain and throbbing. Scorpionfish and stonefish are often hard to spot as they camouflage themselves into their surroundings. Envenomation often occurs accidentally, you might brush against a lionfish whilst swimming, step on a stonefish in the shallows or bump into a scorpionfish on the rock.

Immediate medical attention is required for stonefish and lionfish envenomation, and may be necessary for scorpionfish as well, depending on the severity of the victim’s reaction. The first aid treatment for all three injuries is the same.

How to treat a scorpionfish, lionfish and stonefish sting:

  1. Remove the victim from the water.
  2. Remove any spine fragments using sterile tweezers. Even broken-off spines can contain venom, so take care with removal and disposal. 
  3. Immerse the wound in hot fresh water or use hot cloths for 30 – 90 minutes (45’C or as hot as the victim can tolerate). The heat helps to relive pain and reduce effects of the sting. The venom from these fish is protein based, which begins to break down and deactivate with heat.
  4. Always seek professional medical advice as further complications can occur slightly later.

Of the three, stonefish venom is the most potent and can be fatal. If you are stung by a stonefish, seek emergency medical care immediately. Hot water treatment can also help in the case of stonefish whilst waiting for medical care to arrive.

Sea Urchin

Sea urchins are covered in sharp, venom coated spines. If you step on or touch a sea urchin it is likely that these spines will break off and become lodged in your skin. Ouch.  Although painful, this is rarely serious.

Follow the same treatment as for stonefish, scorpionfish, and lionfish.

Sea urchin spines are very fragile, so take care when removing them from the skin to ensure they do not break.  According to the advice on https://www.jointhealthguide.org/joint-renew-review/, suggest that to break down any remaining spines, soak the wound in hot water with Epsom salts daily. If they have several spines, or if one punctures a joint, it is best to seek professional medical care. If the spines are not removed completely, the wound can become inflamed and lead to muscle and joint pain.

Stingrays

Stingray injuries mostly occur when swimmers or snorkelers are walking in shallow waters near the shore and accidentally step on a stingray. Individual reactions can vary but often include intense pain, nausea, and weakness.

Follow the same treatment as for stonefish, scorpionfish, and lionfish. 

However,  if the spine is embedded in the skin, it’s generally best to leave removal to medical professionals as the spines can be barbed. Similarly, if you have a severe reaction or are stung in the torso, you should seek help immediately. 

Coral Grazes & Cuts

Coral cuts and abrasions can occur when diving, swimming or even just walking in the sea. Coral is often sharp, even light contact can break the skin. This can take time to heal and may become infected if not properly treated. This is because the living organisms that coat the coral can contaminate the wound.

How to treat a coral graze or cut:

  1. Stem any significant blood flow using direct pressure.
  2. Once bleeding has stopped, remove any remaining coral fragments by flushing the wound with fresh water.
  3. Use antibacterial soap or hydrogen peroxide mixed with water to disinfect the wound.
  4. Apply antibiotic cream and cover with a sterile, non-adhesive dressing. Clean and re-dress the wound regularly.

Although coral cuts don’t usually require medical attention, keep an eye out for any redness, itching, excess pus or swelling as this may be a sign of infection. Seek medical advice as you may require antibiotics to heal the wound. 

Fire Coral

Despite its name, fire coral is not actually a coral. It is an anemone-like organism that inflicts a painful burning or stinging sensation accompanied by a red rash. Symptoms of a fire coral sting can take up to 30 minutes to appear, so can be difficult to identify.

Treat fire coral sting in the same way as a jellyfish sting. In severe cases, or in the event of an allergic reaction, emergency medical care may be required.

Marine Animal Bites

Although extremely rare, it can happen and we want you to feel prepared. The severity of the bite mainly depends on the size of the animal that delivered the bite and where on your body. For example, a nip from a triggerfish vs a bite from a shark. Basic first aid for bites is the same as for most bleeding wounds, anyone with the first aid certification can do it.

How to treat a bite:

  1. Remove the victim from the water. If the bite is serious, call emergency services.
  2. Apply direct pressure to the wound. If bleeding continues, do not remove and bandages, add more on top.
  3. Elevate the wound above the heart if possible, reducing the blood flow to the affected area to minimise blood loss.

For minor wounds, wait until bleeding has stopped and rinse with fresh water. Apply antiseptic and dress the wound. Keep an eye out for infection. For more serious wounds, stitches may be required. Shock is also a concern for more serious bites so be prepared to administer oxygen if the patient is having trouble breathing.

Sea Snake Bites

As with pretty much all marine life injuries, sea snake bites occur when a diver accidentally disturbs a sea snake. Not all sea snakes have harmful venom, but some contain neurotoxins which can cause severe reactions or even death.

Common symptoms typically develop within 3 hours of being bitten. Early symptoms include blurred vision, joint pains, vomiting, increased salivation, thickening of the tongue and slurred speech. More severe symptoms may include paralysis, difficulty breathing, brown urine, double vision and lock jaw.

How to treat a Sea Snake bite:

  1. Monitor airway, breathing, and consciousness. Administer CPR if necessary and contact emergency medical services.
  2. Try to recognise the type of sea snake that has bitten the victim as this can aid in proper treatment or anti-venom if available.
  3. Wrap the affected site firmly with a wide bandage. Ensure it is not too tight and does not impair blood circulation. Keep the patient still and reassured until medical assistance arrives.

Do not try to suck the venom out of the bite. This can transfer the venom to your own mouth and lead to 2 patients to look after!

When should you seek emergency medical help?  

Most marine life injuries are not life-threatening and often only require simple first aid as outlined above. However, if you experience any of the following symptoms, you should always seek emergency medical help immediately:

  • Swelling around the sting and intense pain
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Chest pain
  • Difficulty remaining conscious
  • Severe bleeding
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Convulsions

So dear ocean lovers, just be a little cautious and enjoy your time in and around the water.

Although marine life injuries are rare, you now know how to avoid and deal with any that you may encounter. However, it’s a good idea to play it safe. Don’t hesitate to seek medical help if a sting or bite seems serious or you are unsure of what stung you.

If you want to learn more about dealing with marine life injuries you can enrol in a PADI Rescue Course and Emergency First Response, where as well as basic first aid for injuries, you will also learn how to deal with emergency situations whilst diving. Oceans5 starts EFR and Rescue courses every day, send us a message if you’d like some more information. 

For any legal help in emergencies contact wrongful death lawyer Philadelphia.

How to choose the best scuba diving shop for you.

How to choose the best scuba diving shop for you.

So, you’ve just arrived in paradise or maybe you’re about to jet off to a new destination. You can’t wait to get underwater, but you don’t want to take the plunge with just any diving shop. In most scuba diving destinations, the streets and beach 

Gili Island Etiquette

Gili Island Etiquette

Gili Island Etiquette Why do you want to travel to the Gili Islands in Indonesia? Just like a lot of people you are probably want to discover tropical places and different cultures, open your mind, your heart, and have fun. The Gili Islands offer a 

Underwater Meditation: The Connection between Scuba Diving and Yoga.

Underwater Meditation: The Connection between Scuba Diving and Yoga.

Scuba diving once had a reputation as an extreme sport similar to the ones mentioned on betting sites such as 벳엔드 먹튀, but like most stereotypes, this couldn’t be further from the truth. With more and more people taking to the underwater world to relax, Scuba diving has a lot more in common with yoga and meditation than you might think.

In fact, these activities build skills that perfectly complement each other, making you better at both. Yoga combines breathing exercises (pranayama) and physical postures (asanas) to bring about a meditative state that promotes a healthy body and mind.  For more information about healthy supplements visit Exipure site.

Yoga poses by the pool

If you are looking for ways to de-stress and live more in the present moment, scuba diving can provide the tranquillity you have been searching for. On land, it is hard to switch off, but when you dive your worries are left at the surface.  And if you’re a hardcore yogi already, you’re sure to fall in love with scuba diving! This is how javaburn works.

Already a diver? Start practicing yoga or meditation on myyogateacher.com and you’ll significantly improve your diving experience. You will start to notice your dives will last longer, buoyancy will be better, and you’ll be able to deal with any stressful or challenging situations that occur more easily.

It’s much easier to relax when all you can hear is bubbles.

Relaxing on the boat

Most of us are aware of the positive effects of meditation, of taking time out to calm our minds. But we also know that this is much easier said than done. With our often hectic schedules meditation tends to slip to the bottom of our priorities. Even when we do find the time, we struggle as our minds tend to wander and take us off course. This is where scuba diving comes in. Underwater meditation is highly accessible. As scuba divers, we achieve a meditative state of mind almost every time we enter the water, becoming more aware of our bodies as we connect our breathing with our movement.

Just below the waters surface
Leave your worries at the surface.

The sensations of diving can create a deep sense of calmness that is much more difficult to achieve on land. The ocean provides the perfect place to quiet your mind and truly focus on the present moment. Your phone won’t ring underwater and you can’t be distracted by social media. You don’t have to make a mental effort to get away from the real world because physically, you already have! Scuba diving provides your brain with serene alternatives to focus on; from the abundant marine life, to the colourful corals, and array of beautiful blue hues. Check out the latest nitrilean reviews.

Remember to breathe.

The number one rule is scuba diving is ‘never hold your breath’. Like yoga, scuba diving focuses on one key factor: breathing. Continuous and steady breathing is a skill that every yogi and scuba diver needs.

Bubbles underwater

Yoga places emphasis on proper inhalation and exhalation, as breathing is considered the essential connection between body and mind. This is just as important in scuba diving, where we learn to relax through slow and steady breathing. Practiced regularly, yoga promotes deep, slow breathing and teaches you how to calm your mind. These techniques encourage the body to use the full capacity of the lungs and absorb and use oxygen more efficiently.

Diver hovering with a turtle below on the reef.
Hover weightless in the water, at one with your surruondings.

The impulse to breathe is triggered by the buildup of carbon dioxide rather than the desire for oxygen. If you do not exhale fully, the carbon dioxide can build up in your body. This triggers irregular and shallow breathing which can lead to increased anxiety and panic underwater. So, by exhaling fully, you remove more carbon dioxide which keeps your breathing steady and feeling calm. These are the best Exipure reviews.

By using this breathing pattern, you won’t only improve your buoyancy and air consumption, giving you more quality time underwater, but you’ll also create a more relaxed mind and body. Something we all could use a little bit more of!  

Remain calm under pressure.

Turtle under the surface..

With all the heavy gear, awkward movements, and new sensations, scuba diving can be a little stressful in the beginning. Even experienced divers can become anxious, particularly in a new environment or under challenging conditions. Yoga teaches you how to remain calm and refocus your mind, helping you to deal with challenging situations more effectively. You become more aware of when you are breathing irregularly or becoming anxious, concentrate on calming yourself by bringing your breath to the centre of your attention again.

Not only will you feel more assured and at ease, your experience will also become more vivid and meaningful. A diver who is relaxed in body, breath, and mind, becomes one with the water. When tension and anxiety is removed, and you can completely indulge in the present moment. The stillness of yoga allows you to let go and just ‘be’ in the water, fully appreciating the moment.

The best way to observe a fish, is to become a fish.” – Jacques Cousteau.

Strengthen your body as well as your mind.

Yoga pose by the pool

From carrying equipment to climbing back up on to the boat, or even just swimming at the surface to the entry point, Scuba diving can be a physically demanding activity. Yoga is not just about calming the mind, it’s also about strengthening the body. The physical postures (asanas) practised in Yoga strengthen and stretch muscles that are important in diving. This reduces the risk of injuries and helps prevent overexertion, which can lead to the feeling of breathlessness and increased anxiety when diving, although we all know diving is dangerous and accidents may happen, so for any accident that resulted in injury getting the right legal help is essential for this. Yoga is a great way to stay in good shape for diving, making the activity less strenuous, and therefore much more safe and enjoyable.

Yoga heightens your awareness of your body, awareness of your place and movement in the water. The way you learn to move during a yoga class, gracefully from one posture to the next, with slow controlled movements, is exactly how you should move underwater when diving. As water is denser than air, you need to make slow and measured movements to reduce the resistance and glide efficiently through the water. Swimming in this way, with minimal effort, also conserves your energy and therefore the air in your tank.

The benefits of underwater meditation stretch far beyond your actual bottom time.

Diver hovering underwater

Meditation trains the mind to be calm and completely absorbed in the present moment. When you dive in this heightened state of awareness, you can improve your alertness and composure in stressful situations, as well as expand your sense of wonder, appreciation, and oneness with the ocean.

Regular meditation significantly reduces stress and anxiety, increasing our ability to cope with challenging situations. Which in turn improves our relationships, concentration, sleep, general wellbeing and happiness. If that doesn’t have you reaching for your wetsuit, then other benefits of meditation include; strengthening your immune system, slowing ageing, longer life expectancy as well as a reduced risk of depression and hypertension.

Ready for an underwater meditation session?

Sea fan

The drift diving around the Gili Islands provides a unique way to experience the meditative quality of scuba diving. In drift diving, we rely on the natural currents to gently and effortlessly glide us through the water. Without moving a muscle, we can float through schools of tropical fish, past resting turtles and over mesmerising coral reefs, allowing us to focus on our breathing and enjoying the present moment.

We have many different options for refining your underwater meditation techniques.

You can discover scuba diving in as little as half a day and experience the peace that the underwater world can offer you. As a qualified diver, we have 3 drift dives a day where you can get your dose of marine zen or you can take part in one of our further education courses to train you to become a master of underwater breathing techniques and move effortlessly through the water.

Diver hoovering mid water

The PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Speciality or the Peak Performance Buoyancy adventure dive as part of the Advanced course, can teach you the tips and tricks to control your buoyancy through your breath, increases your awareness of your body underwater and help reduce your air consumption.

If you really want to delve deeper into the connection between yoga, meditation and scuba diving we offer the PADI Yoga Diver Distinctive Speciality. This course combines pranayama (breathing practices) and asanas (physical postures) to enable you to discover your own rhythm in the water. Through yoga and meditation sessions on land you learn techniques that you will later practice underwater, focusing on heightening your awareness of your body and breathing. This course will enable you to fully relax and improve not only your air consumption, buoyancy control and movements but also your overall diving experience and wellbeing. We also offer the PADI Distinctive Yoga Speciality Instructor course for Instructors wanting to expand their skill set. Alternatively, you may practise yoga by the pool with best pool filters.

Yoga by the pool

Alternatively, Air Spa, onsite at our dive resort, offers private yoga sessions which can be tailored to support your diving. Our dedicated yoga teacher will create a specific class that concentrates on poses and breathing techniques to enhance your diving experience. This is an ideal way to prepare both you mind and body for your dive.  

Whatever option you choose, we hope that you find your peace both above and below the water.

Diver staring out to sea

It´s time to get wet again!

It´s time to get wet again!

You didn’t dived for a while? Oceans 5 will help you to brush your diving skills with a PADI Scuba Review at the Gili Islands in Indonesia