If you follow some basic scuba diving safety rules, it should help make sure all your dives are safe ones. While diving is considered a safe sport, it is not without its' risks. After all, we dive for fun and we don't want that to stop. So try and follow these so you will have a long and enjoyable diving career.
Scuba Diving Safety Rules
Get proper training - Having proper training will make you much more comfortable underwater and that is key to having a safe dive. Getting certified is a big first step. If you dive after taking a resort course just make sure you don't go too deep (30 feet should be the max). Some resorts are known to be very lax on this rule and it is to your detriment. If you go diving in caves, caverns, wrecks, etc. have the proper training for this type of dive. Don't dive beyond your ability.
Don't hold your breath - Remember to always breathe slowly and in a relaxed manner and to exhale fully. Don't take short, shallow breathes and never hold your breath. Holding your breath underwater can lead to lung injuries and worse, in the extreme case.
Be in good physical shape - You don't have to be a triathlete but you should be able to swim and take the stress of diving. A physical exam is a good idea before diving. Some studies have shown that about a quarter to a third of all scuba diving fatalities are from heart and/or circulatory problems.
Never dive alone - One of the key scuba diving safety rules. Always dive with a buddy no matter where you are. And when you do dive with a buddy, keep an eye on him/her to make sure everything is OK (and hopefully they are doing the same). If something happens, that buddy can be the difference between life and death. Never violate this rule. Also do a pre-dive equipment check with your buddy.
Know weather conditions – If you are with a dive operator it is usually their call but you can say no if you are not comfortable. We did a dive once and the current was much stronger than they expected. It was doable until we turned a corner on reef then it was crazy. It wasn't fun and I was getting uncomfortable. Since the divemaster wasn't stopping the dive, I ascended early with my husband. It's OK to say no. It is your safety after all. The divemaster did end up cutting the dive short and surfaced shortly after us.
Ascend slowly and with control - Another one of the key scuba diving safety rules. As you ascend you are ridding your body of nitrogen in your tissues and bloodstream. If you ascend too quickly, you risk decompression sickness. You should not ascend more than 30 feet per minute. And always do a safety stop at 15 feet for at least 3 minutes after deeper dives. After your safety stop, do not propel yourself to the surface either. Ascend that last 15 feet very slowly also.
Check your equipment - You don't want to find out the scuba regulator doesn't work once you are underwater. Checking equipment is especially important if you are renting. If you own your regulator and haven't dove in a while, it should also be serviced to make sure it is working properly. Do a check of the regulator hoses also.
Relax - Being relaxed and comfortable underwater is key to a successful dive. If something happens, stop, breathe, think and act. Do not panic and rush to the surface (I know it is easier said than done). But observing this scuba diving safety rule could be key to a safe dive.
Plan your dive and dive your plan - You will hear this in your training (or you should) and you should follow this advice. Prior to going under, you and your buddy should know the max depth you will go, the amount of bottom time you'll have and how much air you will start to ascend with. Check your air supply often. You should also agree on the hand signals you will use to communicate underwater.
This is by now means an exhaustive list, but if you follow these scuba diving safety rules, you greatly increase your chance of a safe and incident free dive. And of course that's what we all want. So when you go diving, take your time, relax, think and go through your safety checklist.
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