| Speaking with dive instructors from the "good old | | | | That includes checking releases, gauges, tanks and |
| school" (or at least that is the term that some of | | | | weight belt. |
| them use to describe the teaching techniques they | | | | The Professional Association of Dive Instructors |
| used in the past) I got lots of information on how | | | | (PADI)suggests all their entry level students to use a |
| scuba diving used to be taught 20-30 years ago. | | | | very efficient method to perform a predive safety |
| One of them told me that he used to ask his | | | | check among dive buddies. They use the phrase |
| students to start descending with their tanks closed | | | | "Begin With Review and Friend" and the acronym |
| and breathing the air contained in the hoses of the | | | | "BWRAF" to help divers to perform an efficient |
| regulator. At a given depth, and depending on the | | | | predive check. |
| diver´s descending rate, he would run out of | | | | B= BCD: Verify proper inflation so the diver is able to |
| air. Then he had to reach out to this tank valve and | | | | float in waters too deep to stand up, low pressure |
| open it to reestablish the air flow. | | | | inflator connector, and that the tank is firmly secured |
| His rationale was that, maybe some day on a dive | | | | to the harness. |
| boat the divemaster in charge of the dive logistics | | | | W= Weight system: Whether if wore in a belt or a |
| may forget to open he divers tanks. It may happen | | | | BCD integrated system, it is important that the |
| to anybody, we must admit, but, is there a safer | | | | weight system has a one hand quick release |
| way to verify the correct functioning of our dive | | | | mechanism to ditch it in case of emergency. |
| gear prior to enter the water?. | | | | R=Releases: Make sure every release works |
| Luckily, today´s divers do not need to | | | | properly, and double check the weight belt´s |
| "practice" an out of air emergency using the | | | | quick release mechanism. |
| technique described above. Divers now can rely on a | | | | A=Air. Verify that the tank has enough air for the |
| very important pre immersion step known as the | | | | dive by checking the submersible pressure gauge and |
| "Pre Dive Safety Check". | | | | (critical step)making sure the tank is open. |
| Before entering the water, your dive buddy shall | | | | F=Final OK: Once a pre dive safety check has been |
| verify that each part of your scuba gear works and | | | | completed, it is time to enter the water. |
| fits properly, and you will do the same for him/her. | | | | |