Ten SAFE Diving Tips

As divers, we get to experience firsthand a world unlike any other.  The ocean can be beautiful and serene, or it can be angry and challenging.  Although we all have our different reasons for diving, one thing is for sure – we are passionate about this sport.

While scuba diving accidents are few and far between, there are some basic principles that all divers should know, in order that we may become more conscientious and responsible divers – as well as to keep us diving safely.

1. Familiarize yourself with new dive equipment prior to making the dive.  Make sure everything fits and is working properly.  Always conduct a pre-dive safety check.  It is unbelievably common that divers forget to turn their air supply on.  The same principle of knowing your personal dive limits extends to your equipment as well.  Know the limits of your dive gear.  For example, a safety sausage – not many people who own one know how to use one.  When do you deploy it?  At what depth?  How do you prevent entanglement?

2. Safe diving begins before you even enter the water.  Good dive planning isn’t just for experienced divers – it is an important skill to learn and master right from the very beginning.  If you have any concerns, voice them.  Speak up.  If you don’t know, or if you are unsure about something, ask.  Resolve your stress (or perception of stress, as is most often the case) prior to entering the water, and don’t let anyone dismiss your concerns as unimportant or insignificant.  A good way to gauge this would be – if you’re not having fun, don’t dive. 

3. Although we always recommend diving with a buddy, this does not mean you let your buddy make the decisions for you about whether or not the dive is within your limits and abilities.  Following your buddy or your divemaster into an environment for which you have not been trained, or with which you are not comfortable, is a recipe for disaster. 

4.   All divers know that they have a safe ascent rate which they should not exceed.  Most divers forget about the descent.  I have lost count of the number of times I have seen divers crash into the bottom on their initial descent.  This is not only dangerous to the diver, it also damages the environment.  Be aware of your speed of descent and proximity to the bottom.  Use a descent line, if there is one.  The coral you just landed on probably has a much larger impact on the underwater scheme of things than if you had speared a dozen fish.

5.   If you intend to dive with a dive computer, learn how to use it.  Read the manual and learn all its features and symbols.  Don’t be like the diver who ascended after a dive and asked, “What does ERR on my dive computer mean?”  Having said that, do not allow the dive computer to give you a false sense of security.  Dive computers are a piece of technology, and like all others, it can break down.  Don’t turn off your common sense when you turn your dive computer on.

6.   Think about the way you fin.  Most divers use the flutter kick from the hips.  This often stirs up a sandy bottom, affecting the visibility and obscuring the view for other divers.  Try the frog kick.  This is an effective flip-back kick that slows you down (so you see more) and allows you to save energy (thereby minimizing your air consumption rate).

7.   We always hear divers talk of physical fitness.  However, we also need to consider psychological fitness, which is just as important.  This involves learning how to break the cycle of panic caused by anxiety due to a difficult situation.  If you can Stop, Breathe, Think and Act in any given situation, you will be better able to help yourself and your buddy.

8. Constantly monitor your bottom time and depth, and the surrounding environment, as they are all prone to change without you realizing it.  Just because you can see the surface from where you are does not mean you are at a safe depth.  Do not underestimate distance because of good visibility.  New divers, in particulald take great care not to exceed their level of training and experience. Ignoring this can put not just you at risk, but also your dive buddy and others aroun you.
9. Use the “One Third Rule” when it comes to your air consumption.  This is a dependable procedure used by technical divers, as well as divers who do wreck diving, ice diving and cave diving.  Use one third of your air supply for your dive, one third for ascent, and leave one third as reserve.  This will give you an ample reserve of air for any “just in case” situations.                                                                                                                                                                       
10. Never underestimate the power of the ocean.  When in doubt, abandon the dive, or seek further information or advice from local dive operators.  The best diver  isn’t necessarily the one with all the latest gear, or the one who has done the most dives, or the one who has dived the deepest.  The best diver is one who is confident enough to decide that they should not make a dive.

Remember … your safety is your top priority when it comes to diving, and only you can make the decisions for a conscientious and responsible dive profile.  Happy safe diving!