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