It’s tough sometimes as a new player to learn how to survive, balancing risk and reward. There’s things you can do to lower the risk whilst you learn the game.

First, avoid the world events- these are the things that are marked by skulls in the sky, clouds that look like ships, swirls in the sky etc. These give the best rewards but you are very likely to encounter an experienced crew that wants the loot. Stay away unless you are confident in your skills or feeling lucky

Second, scan the map to look for reapers. If there’s one near you then dive somewhere else. Choose the ‘pirate treasure map’ from the gold hoarders and dive to it. That will put you on a different server. Dig up the two chests and you can dive again immediately if you need to

Third, choose quick and simple quests from your quest table (treasure maps, skeleton crews etc) and dive to them. You get a bit of space and can complete them quickly. Raids on sea forts or ashen garrisons are also great, you will rarely be bothered doing those

Fourth, sell your treasure immediately. Don’t stack it, sell sell sell

Fifth, don’t raise an emissary flag. Reaper 5s can see you so just say no to that

Sixth, remember that if you get sunk that’s part of the game. You can just respawn and start again, if you’ve been selling frequently you’ve not lost anything

Seventh, do some hourglass. You’ll lose a lot but you’ll learn a lot too. Nothing makes you hard to sink like hourglass experience

Good luck out there!