| Scuba Diving is a fun underwater endeavor for both | | | | congenital heart disease and other cardiovascular |
| adults and children of a particular age group. But unlike | | | | illnesses, scuba experts recommend thorough medical |
| any other land-based activity, pertinent safety | | | | screening and clearance from the attending physician |
| guidelines need to observed considering the risk | | | | that the diver is in fact physically fit to engage in |
| profile of this recreational sport. Thus, the diver | | | | scuba diving. Heart attacks could manifest in the |
| cannot just descend with his scuba gear into a few | | | | course of the dive and has in fact been the cause |
| feet of seawater and pull out of the surface | | | | for casualties during scuba diving trips. |
| nonchalantly, as one would do in a swimming pool. | | | | #3 Inspect your scuba equipment prior to the dive. |
| Due to the use of an open water scuba set that | | | | This a standard operating procedure to observe |
| employs Nitrogen-based Air to support respiration | | | | unless you are determined to risk your life to the |
| underwater; the diver will have to consider the | | | | hazards of malfunctioning scuba equipment; including |
| parameters of decompression to properly clear inert | | | | leaks in high pressure hoses which could interfere |
| gases from his bodily system prior to ascent. | | | | with the conveyance of air to your regulator set and |
| Moreover, the diver needs to contend with the | | | | buoyancy compensator device; or a contaminated |
| opposing forces of buoyancy and gravity in the | | | | first stage mechanism that could trigger free flows. |
| water column amidst its (scuba diving) physicality and | | | | #4 Ascend to the surface with at least 500 psi |
| the limits of his air supply. Find below 6 to-do tips to | | | | pressure in your tank. |
| keep in mind when engaged in this recreational sport. | | | | This is a basic criterion adhered to by majority of |
| #1 Endeavor to be healthy and fit. | | | | recreational scuba divers. In the dive of recreational |
| As mentioned, scuba diving is a strenuous form of | | | | depths, the 500 psi-mark serves as a safety margin |
| sport considering the weight profile of scuba | | | | upon ascent in case the diver encounters a bit of |
| equipment used (particularly the cylinder tank) that | | | | trouble and would require additional air supply on his |
| increases drag underwater to therefore require | | | | back way to the surface. |
| physical exertion on the part of the diver; while | | | | #5 Perform a Safety Stop during ascent. |
| swimming and maneuvering his body (and scuba | | | | Even for No Stop Dives or dives that do not require |
| gear) towards a particular depth and direction. | | | | decompression stops in the course of ascent, |
| Similarly, the diver needs to maintain a healthy body | | | | performing a safety stop at the depth of 10 to 20 |
| weight so that he neither becomes a sinker or on | | | | feet below the surface for around 1 to 5 minutes |
| the other hand too buoyant to sink, which is typical | | | | heightens the diver's margin of safety against the |
| of overweight divers. | | | | risk of developing decompression sickness. |
| #2 Submit to a physical exam prior to the dive. | | | | #6 Heed conservative limits to decompression. |
| For prospective divers who have a history of | | | | |