27 Sep 2024

Top 5 Essential Tips for Scuba Diving In Lake Hydra

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania is home to many hidden gems. You have SteelStack Cultural Center, a popular event venue for musicians, food festivals, and films. Many historical sites exist, from Illick’s Mill Park to the Colonial Industrial Quarter.

The city is also home to outdoor adventures. Scuba diving, for example, is one of the most popular activities at Bethlehem’s Lake Hydra, which is a limestone quarry with a naturally occurring aquifer.

Scuba diving in Lake Hydra is perfect for springtime and summer scuba diving instruction.

Discover scuba diving tips, sites, and safety advice in this quick visitor’s guide.

1. Only Dive With a Professional

The first and most important advice is to contact a licensed scuba diving professional before exploring Lake Hydra underwater.

Beginner scuba divers may also earn their PADI certification which allows them to explore areas outside training sites.

2. Learn to Breathe

Even though scuba divers have oxygen tanks and breathing gear (for shallow water exploration), all divers must practice proper breathing before getting in the water.

There are noticeable differences between breathing on land versus underwater.

Underwater, you must learn to take long, slow, deep breaths without fully exhaling. You should not hold your breath.

3. Stay Calm While Scuba Diving In Lake Hydra

Scuba diving instruction focuses on breathing techniques. You’ll need these type of techniques to remain calm. Better breathing techniques will calm you down and help your oxygen tank last longer.

Another tip for staying calm while scuba diving is to clear your ears. Pressure can cause panic underwater. Learn how to clear your ears by pinching your nose gently and blowing out slowly; if you do this part too forcefully, you’re more likely to experience pain.

4. Keep a Clear Mask During Underwater Exploration

An important beginner’s lesson in scuba diving is to keep your mask clear at all times.

Leaking water causes the lens to fog which compromises visibility underwater. The most common reason is a loose mask; this means you need a tighter mask or better straps.

You can clear your scuba mask by breathing air from your regulator and blowing air out of your nose. This technique will remove excess water from your mask.

5. Avoid Disorientation

Did you know that you can get dehydrated while scuba diving?

Setting limits is essential for safety. Scuba diving can be surprisingly exhausting for those expecting light exercise. Don’t go past your limits; stay within your designated area and depth to avoid safety hazards.

Scuba divers should have diving computers to monitor distances and depth. Going too deep can trigger decompression sickness which causes disorientation. Always dive with a professional and choose sites like Lake Hydra which enforces such policies.

Enjoy Lake Hydra Dive Sites

Keep this Lake Hydra diving guide while learning the best diving practices.

Remember to:

Dive with a professional
Learn proper breathing
Stay calm underwater
Clear your mask
Avoid disorientation

Let Scuba Guru introduce you to scuba diving in Lake Hydra through our PADI certification courses. We offer monthly PADI courses. Once certified, you may also train to become a Dive Master.

We’re a team of PADI-certified Dive Masters. Our leadership team has acquired scuba experience all over the world, from The Philippines to Fiji.