| I would never say that scuba diving is not dangerous. | | | | aware of the first aid requirements. |
| There are risks, as in many sports, and the | | | | A big risk is, of course, running out of air. This can be |
| environment in which diving takes place is far from | | | | just pure carelessness or maybe an equipment failure |
| friendly. But, that is why we are trained and have a | | | | has suddenly released a lot of your air into the water. |
| variety of safety procedures and equipment in place. | | | | Prevention is better than cure, so keep an eye on |
| Many people fear sharks will attack them when | | | | your gauges and end your dive in plenty of time. |
| diving. Again, I cannot say this never happens, but | | | | Know how much air you use on a typical dive and |
| most shark attacks are mistaken identity attacks of | | | | make sure you carry a sufficiently sized tank. Also, |
| swimmers on the surface. A diver swimming | | | | look after your equipment to avoid the chance of |
| underwater is a clearer object for the shark to see | | | | failure. |
| and can also see the sharks in the water. Sharks are | | | | If the worst does happen, keep going from the air |
| not always as brave as they seem to be. If they | | | | supply as long as you can and make sure that your |
| know their potential prey has seen them, and is likely | | | | buddy, and dive leader, is aware of the problem. If |
| to attack back, they are more likely to leave alone. | | | | you do run out of air, make sure you know the air |
| They do not want to get injured and not be able to | | | | sharing methods and start to ascend with your |
| feed another day. | | | | buddy. |
| The bends is a serious danger risk when diving. But, | | | | Poisoned air is also a risk. Prevent this by tasting (yes |
| follow the rules and this is minimized. Always take | | | | tasting, not testing) the air before you dive. Make |
| care of your buoyancy and keep to a steady level as | | | | sure it tastes clean. If you feel ill on the dive or you |
| much as possible. Invest in a dive computer that can | | | | show other symptoms of air problems, such as |
| double check your decompression time, ascend | | | | cherry red fingernails, immediately share air with your |
| slowly and do the required decompression / safety | | | | buddy and ascend. On the surface bag up your |
| stops and you should be safe. But, just in case, make | | | | cylinder for a full inspection. |
| sure that you know the signs and what to do if you | | | | Yes, there are a lot of risks to diving, but knowing |
| suspect the bends. | | | | what to do to prevent them helps a lot. As long as |
| Pulmonary embolisms are also a risk. But again, there | | | | you take care, get the right training and keep a level |
| are some simple rules. Never hold your breath under | | | | head, it is not actually all that dangerous. It just |
| water - if you do and you suddenly ascend, this can | | | | sounds it! |
| cause problems. Ascend slowly when you do and be | | | | |