While scuba diving is a fun and relaxing sport, it is also inherently risky. When you’re diving, you’re far from the safety of dry ground, submerged in an alien world which is completely contrary to supporting human life. Besides surviving, it’s best if you emerge from the underwater world with feelings of well-being, total emotional and mental satisfaction, and complete happiness; you are basically guaranteed not to experience these positive emotions if you feel unsafe while diving. To promote your safety and well-being, we’ve assembled this great list of twenty basic rules for safe diving.
Never Underestimate the Importance of Proper Training
No matter how deep your dives, the temperatures, the pressure you’ll be subjected to, and the entire atmosphere is much different from conditions found on terra firma. For safe diving, it’s vital that you understand the physical elements which are at work, and it’s equally important that you know what to expect and how to respond to any challenges you encounter. The better trained you are, the easier it will be for you to handle equipment and conduct your dive in a safe, appropriate manner.
Stay Fit
Yes, we see plenty of divers out there who may not be in the best condition. Rather than settling for flabbiness or allowing yourself to dive when your body condition is less than ideal, give yourself the gift of fitness. A fit body, a sharp mind, and a well-balanced psyche are three tools you can always rely on to serve you well in any situation.
Use the Buddy System
While we understand that solo diving does occur, it’s less than ideal. The buddy system was designed to help promote safety, and many divers are able to tell stories about how having a good buddy beside them made all the difference between life and death.
Follow Rules for Safe Ascent
Have you ever rushed an ascent? Following rules for safe ascent is the best way to prevent decompression sickness, so always build ascent into your plan. At worst, DCS is fatal; even in minor cases, it’s horribly uncomfortable and can cause damage. DCS can prevent you from diving in the future too, so do your best to avoid it!
Take Time for Safety Stops
How many times have you witnessed divers failing to observe safety stops? While safety stops are imperative for dives to depths of 40 meters and greater, they are also recommended for shallower dives. Take three minutes for a safety stop at fifteen feet even when others pooh-pooh, and you’ll be likely to avoid even a minor chance of DCS.
Don’t Stay Deep for Too Long
Bottom time is greatly sought after, but it’s vital that you not overdo it. In many cases, this means you’ve got to dive certain sites more than once to see everything, and that may be a stretch, particularly if you are traveling. Never give in to the temptation to use up that “extra” air, and don’t give in to a buddy’s desire to do so, either.
Always Check Equipment, Then Check Again
Be sure to keep close tabs on your equipment, checking and rechecking each piece before every dive. Never trust that rental equipment is in perfect condition, even if you’re told that it is. Verify that it is in good working condition before signing your rental agreement and get a replacement item if anything looks less than ideal.
Service Equipment on Schedule
All essential dive equipment must be maintained or serviced; for example, your cylinders probably need servicing twice annually, and your regulator needs attention at least once per year. Your dive computer may need servicing, and so might other items you carry with you while diving. Keep everything in tip-top condition, and you’ll enjoy greater safety; in addition, you may even save money because well-maintained equipment has a tendency to last longer.
Don’t Dive with Malfunctioning Equipment
If equipment has even a small problem, don’t dive with it. At the very least you could be injured; at worst, you could die or place someone else in grave danger.
Don’t Use Enriched Air without Proper Training
Gas mixtures can make diving more enjoyable by extending bottom time. If you think you’d like to try Nitrox, Trimix, or another type of enriched air, do yourself a favor and get proper training and certification before using it.
Use Reliable Air
Ensure you have your tanks filled at a reliable venue. If you or a friend fill tanks yourselves, ensure you do so in a location where carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons are not present; i.e. stay away from traffic, running motors, and other sources of air pollution while conducting air fills.
Carry Appropriate Equipment
Carry the right equipment for the dive site. Find out what conditions to expect, and be sure you have redundant equipment if the situation calls for it.
Beware of the Water
This might seem like a strange piece of advice, given the nature of scuba diving! But respecting the marine environment and understanding all the hazards you might encounter is an excellent way to maintain your safety while diving. Being aware of currents, knowing tide times, and ensuring you know which animals you might encounter on your dive are three essential ways you can increase your safety level.
Wear the Right Attire
If you’re diving in warm, shallow water, a shorty is just fine in most cases. If you’re planning to dive in warm, shallow water where lots of cnidarians are present, a shorty might not be the best attire. Wearing the right exposure suit won’t just help improve safety, it will help you stay comfortable while diving.
Get a Handle on Buoyancy Control
Good buoyancy control is essential to your safety, and it’s vital to the health of the marine environment, too. Keep in mind that bumping a coral reef doesn’t just damage the coral, it also exposes you to painful stings that can lead to unsightly scarring or infection. Proper buoyancy control helps you enjoy diving more, and it makes photos and videos turn out better, too.
Plan Every Dive
It doesn’t matter if you’re visiting your local reef or diving a steep wall halfway across the world; plan your dive every time, then dive your plan. While planning, be sure to go over underwater communication methods, discuss depth limits, and plan for bottom time, among other things.
Dive With Confidence
Be proactive and dive with confidence. Confidence comes from knowing you’re well-trained, properly equipped, and ready for any situation that may arise during your dive. With confidence comes composure – the best tool to have on hand in the event an emergency arises.
Don’t Panic
Panicking leads to disaster. Prevent it by being well-prepared, knowing what to expect, and planning your dive. If you feel yourself starting to lose confidence and teeter on the edge of panic, reel yourself in and remind yourself that FEAR is “False Expectations Appearing Real.” Go back to your training and get yourself out of the situation you are in. Be methodical, and your chances of escaping unscathed will increase greatly.
Enjoy Your Dive!
Relaxing and enjoying diving is the final key to safety. You’ll use less air, you’ll be more at ease, and you will feel more at home in the water. The more you can relax and enjoy yourself, the more you’ll be likely to dive in the future, and the more competent – and confident – you’ll become.
In the end, safe diving is successful diving. Following these basic rules will help you enjoy each and every dive more than ever.