| There seems to be an influx of accidental diving | | | | by the manufacturer is also recommended. They will |
| deaths in the media these past few weeks. An | | | | typically replace all the o-rings and service any |
| experienced instructor drowned in her own trainining | | | | problems. This will keep you breathing happy for |
| pool, a renowned diver lost his life to the Andrea | | | | years. Always make sure to hang your BC and |
| Doria in Massachusetts, as well as Ashley Mauldin, | | | | regulator after rinsing them. Your will not want your |
| who's family lost her on a dive trip in the Bahama's. If | | | | labrador puppy leaving a present for you in your BC |
| you are a new diver or a seasoned veteran, you | | | | pocket.The last thing is to keep all your gear as far |
| should never skip corners on safe diving practices. | | | | away from demon-sand as possible! Sand is the |
| Below is an outline of common safe diving | | | | number one, sure-fire way to send you straight to |
| procedures. By all means, feel free to add your own, | | | | no diving land, or even worse a dive emergency at |
| but our sport never allows for subtraction.Dive | | | | depth. I have seen countless students with their |
| BuddyAlways dive with a buddy. Enough said.Physical | | | | wet-suit, BC (with tank), and regulator on sitting on a |
| FitnessThough diving is not an olympic event, it still | | | | sand dune at the beach. On their right side, their |
| requires a great deal of physical prowess. If you are | | | | regulator is completely coated with sand. On their left |
| the typical male doing a beach dive you will most | | | | side, their computer has sand coming out of every |
| likely be carrying 65-70lbs of weight on your back. If | | | | hole possible. Don't think that the sand won't creep |
| you are diving with your wife or girlfriend then that | | | | inside either. Sand has a way of going places water |
| weight jumps to over 100lbs (you are carrying her | | | | never thought possible.Plan The last, but certainly one |
| tank right?). Either way, make sure to always | | | | of the most important, components to diving safe is |
| warm-up with a light jog, or just put on your | | | | to plan with your dive buddy (you do have one don't |
| wet-suit, and then a good stretch. If you have | | | | you?). You always want to scope out the site |
| enough notice before the dive make sure you are | | | | together before putting on any gear, making a note |
| doing at least 30 minutes of cardio each day prior to | | | | of the wave cycle and height. Ask yourself, and your |
| the dive. Not only will these techniques help get you | | | | buddy, if it is a safe day to dive and if there are any |
| to and from the beach dive safely and wearing a | | | | apprehensions. After acknowledging that you will be |
| smile, it will also keep you happy underwater--> | | | | diving, make sure you have close access to a phone |
| Cramps anyone?Physical HealthFor pete's sake stop | | | | in case of an emergency. Know the address and |
| smoking! D.A.N. has researched the effects of | | | | location of your dive site for emergency personnel. |
| smoking and diving, and it has shown that smoking | | | | After putting on your equipment, check your buddies |
| does increase your risk of getting the bends. | | | | equipment while he checks yours. Look at his BC, do |
| Smoking also decreases the effective lung size which | | | | you know how to get it off in an emergency, can |
| means you are breathing harder and burning far more | | | | you locate all of the quick releases? Can you work |
| air than your cleaned lung buddy. Do yourself, the | | | | his inflator hose? Do you know how to release his |
| fish, and your mom a favor. Stop smoking.If you | | | | weights (weight belt... weight integrated?)? Does your |
| know you have asthma or any other heart problems | | | | buddy have an octopus? Is your buddies air turned |
| this may not necessarily preclude you from diving. | | | | on? Is your buddies pressure gauge working? Check |
| Make sure to have a thorough, and honest, talk with | | | | everything!Once you have done all of these steps |
| your doctor before continuing diving. Many of these | | | | make sure you and your dive buddy know at what |
| problems can be fixed, but you definitely do not | | | | pressure to start heading back, and at what pressure |
| want an asthma attack at 100 ft.Equipment | | | | to start ascending. Once doing all this, keep an eye |
| CareMany dive accidents could have been prevented | | | | on your buddy during the dive and make sure that |
| if the diver's equipment was taken care of properly. | | | | he is watching you too!Have a Great Dive!Adam |
| This means to rinse your gear with fresh water and | | | | Pearce |
| an odor absorbing agent like sink-the-stink after | | | | |
| every dive! Annual service repairs for your regulator | | | | "You Belong Underwater. |