While recreational diving is fun and exciting, it is also a serious pursuit that calls for careful planning. Many scuba diving accidents are products of human error, and so are unpleasant diving experiences. While we as humans normally learn very well from our mistakes, there’s no need to reinvent the wheel; instead, we can learn from the mistakes others who have come before us have made, whether that applies to diving or to some other area of life. For divers, proper planning helps to reduce the likelihood that accidents will occur. Even the smallest details matter; after all, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Basic Dive Planning
If you’re an experienced diver, the following information won’t be news to you; if you are a beginner, or if it has been a while since the last time you went for a dive, you will appreciate this basic refresher course in basic dive planning. Don’t overlook these three tips:
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Double and Triple Check Equipment. Whether you are renting equipment from a shop, borrowing items from a buddy, or using your own tried and true dive gear, it’s vital that you check, double check, and triple check the equipment you’ll be using while diving. Check every moving part, every hose, and every strap. Remind yourself that your equipment is essentially a life support system, and ask yourself if you trust it.
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Consider Your Physical Health. While planning, take an honest inventory of your physical health. Are you feeling normal, or have you been a bit off lately? Have you gained or lost any weight? How is your stamina level? Have you taken any medications lately, or are you taking any now? Your dive computer isn’t going to be able to do this for you, and your buddies or instructors are not going to know that you may not be feeling your best unless you tell them. Don’t feel guilty if your health isn’t the best and you have to call a dive because of it. It’s best to wait until you are feeling well again.
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Choose Dive Sites Carefully. While planning, be sure to choose dive sites that are suitable for your skill level, and be sure they’re sites you think you’ll enjoy visiting. Before heading out for the day, be sure that you double check the weather forecast, and check tide charts if applicable. If you’ll be diving in a new area, talk to locals about what to expect. Get a guide if possible – not only will this enhance safety, it will help you to make the most of your dive.
Site Specifics
If you plan to go on a shore dive or take your own boat or kayak out to a dive site, it’s important that you consider some additional site specifics. You can also take these factors into consideration when planning a standard boat dive; after all, the more you know about the site you’re planning to visit, the better off you will be. Some site-specific factors to check include:
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Availability of Parking. If you’ll be driving to a beach or other area to dive, ensure that you plan for parking. If the site you are planning to visit is some distance from a secure parking area, consider other methods for getting your gear to and from the dive site. Perhaps one diver can stay with equipment while another parks the vehicle, for example. Be creative, and you won’t have to lug gear long distances.
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Site Topography Considerations and Known Hazards. Know what type of topography you’ll find underwater and at the entry and exit points. This will help you to set up a base camp out of reach of high tide, and it will also help you to avoid known hazards, such as popular fishing areas where lost tackle and clumps of snagged fishing line can present potential problems.
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Plan for Communication, and focus on your Dive Profile. Together with your buddy or buddies, decide what your dive profile will look like. Is there something specific you want to see on this dive, or are there marine species you hope to encounter? If so, determine how to include these factors with ease. In addition, determine what your maximum depth will be, chart your profile, and determine which hand signals and other methods of communication you will use throughout the dive.
Planning a Scuba Vacation
When it comes to planning an entire vacation around diving, it’s a good idea to determine what you want to see, then determine which skills will be required at the sites you plan to visit. Once you know which skills you’ll need, determine whether you need to acquire any additional training before your vacation. In addition, be sure that you have logged enough dives to visit the sites you wish to see. Doing all of your homework in advance will help you to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Plan thoroughly, and come up with a backup plan so you can enjoy some diving even if your primary plans fall through. Weather, problems with a dive operator, and other issues such as civil unrest can cause plans to unravel quickly.
This being said, most of the time planning a scuba vacation is something that’s limited only by the bounds of your imagination and your budget. Look for travel packages that coincide with your desired vacation time, and once you have selected a destination, be sure to spend plenty of time deciding what you’ll do once you arrive. Government tourism boards, resorts, and travel agencies are all excellent resources for trip planning.
As the time for your vacation draws near, ensure that all the equipment you will be bringing along with you is in good working order. Ensure you have appropriate gear bags, and be sure that you are familiar with travel regulations for domestic and international travel. Be sure that passports and vaccinations are up to date if necessary, and familiarize yourself with any challenges you might face while on holiday.
By making simple preparations and considering each and every aspect of dive planning, whether close to home or far away, you will enjoy safe, convenient, and fun dives. This does take some effort, but the payoff is well worth it.