| Diving is a fun and popular sport. However, | | | | ascend you are ridding your body of nitrogen |
| there are some steps every diver should | | | | in your tissues and bloodstream. If you |
| follow to ensure he has a safe dive. | | | | ascend too quickly, you risk decompression |
| | | | sickness. Always do a safety stop at 15 feet |
| Scuba Diving Safety Rules | | | | for at least 3 minutes after deeper dives. |
| | | | After your safety stop, do not propel |
| - Get proper training - Being comfortable | | | | yourself to the surface either. Ascend that |
| underwater will go a long way towards having | | | | last 15 feet very slowly also. |
| a safe dive. Proper training is one key to | | | | |
| being comfortable underwater. The beginning | | | | - Check your equipment - Checking equipment |
| of proper training is to get your open water | | | | is especially important if you are renting. |
| certification. If you go diving in caves, | | | | If you own your regulator and haven't dove in |
| caverns, wrecks, etc., you should also have | | | | a while, it should also be serviced to make |
| the proper training for this type of dive. | | | | sure it is working properly. Do a check of |
| Don't dive beyond your ability. | | | | the regulator hoses also. |
| | | | |
| - Never dive alone - Always dive with a | | | | - Relax - Being relaxed and comfortable |
| buddy no matter where you are. This is key. | | | | underwater is key to a successful dive. If |
| When you do dive with a buddy, keep an eye on | | | | something happens, stop, breathe, think and |
| him/her to make sure everything is OK (and | | | | act. Do not panic and rush to the surface. |
| hopefully they are doing the same). If | | | | But observing this safety rule could be key |
| something happens, that buddy can be the | | | | to a safe dive. |
| difference between life and death. Never | | | | |
| violate this rule. Also do a pre-dive | | | | - Plan your dive and dive your plan - You |
| equipment check with your buddy. | | | | will hear this in your training (or you |
| | | | should) and you should follow this advice. |
| - Be in good physical shape - You don't have | | | | Prior to going under, you and your buddy |
| to be a triathlete but you should be able to | | | | should know the max depth you will go, the |
| swim and take the stress of diving. A | | | | amount of bottom time you'll have and how |
| physical exam is a good idea before diving. | | | | much air you will start to ascend with. Check |
| | | | your air supply often. You should also agree |
| - Don't hold your breath - Remember to always | | | | on the hand signals you will use to |
| breathe slowly and in a relaxed manner and to | | | | communicate underwater. |
| exhale fully. Don't take short, shallow | | | | |
| breathes and never hold your breath. Holding | | | | This is just the beginning of scuba diving |
| your breath underwater can lead to lung | | | | safety rules. However, if you follow the |
| injuries and worse, in the extreme case. | | | | above list you increase your chances of a |
| | | | safe dive. |
| - Ascend slowly and with control - As you | | | | |