Diving is a fun and popular sport. However, there are some steps every diver should follow to ensure he has a safe dive.
Scuba Diving Safety Rules:
Get proper training
Being comfortable underwater will go a long way towards having a safe dive. Proper training is one key to being comfortable underwater. The beginning of proper training is to get your open water certification. If you go diving in caves, caverns, wrecks, etc., you should also have the proper training for this type of dive. Don't dive beyond your ability.
Never dive alone
Always dive with a buddy no matter where you are. This is key. When you do dive with a buddy, keep an eye on him/her to make sure everything is OK (and hopefully they are doing the same). If something happens, that buddy can be the difference between life and death. Never violate this rule. Also do a pre-dive equipment check with your buddy.
Be in good physical shape
You don't have to be a triathlete but you should be able to swim and take the stress of diving. A physical exam is a good idea before diving.
Don't hold your breath
Remember to always breathe slowly and in a relaxed manner and to exhale fully. Don't take short, shallow breathes and never hold your breath. Holding your breath underwater can lead to lung injuries and worse, in the extreme case.
Ascend slowly and with control
As you ascend you are ridding your body of nitrogen in your tissues and bloodstream. If you ascend too quickly, you risk decompression sickness. Always do a safety stop at 15 feet for at least 3 minutes after deeper dives. After your safety stop, do not propel yourself to the surface either. Ascend that last 15 feet very slowly also.
Check your equipment
Checking equipment is especially important if you are renting. If you own your regulator and haven't dove in a while, it should also be serviced to make sure it is working properly. Do a check of the regulator hoses also.
Relax
Being relaxed and comfortable underwater is key to a successful dive. If something happens, stop, breathe, think and act. Do not panic and rush to the surface. But observing this safety rule could be key to a safe dive.
Plan your dive and dive your plan
You will hear this in your training (or you should) and you should follow this advice. Prior to going under, you and your buddy should know the max depth you will go, the amount of bottom time you'll have and how much air you will start to ascend with. Check your air supply often. You should also agree on the hand signals you will use to communicate underwater.
This is just the beginning of scuba diving safety rules. However, if you follow the above list you increase your chances of a safe dive. For more essential rules, check my website. Have fun!
Dianne Rein runs a scuba diving website at www.scuba-diving-smiles.com. You can find her full article on scuba diving safety on her website. You will also find information on scuba diving certification on her site as well as gear guides, destination reviews and much more.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- The Basics of Scuba Diving Safety
- Follow These 8 Scuba Diving Rules For a Safe Dive
- 3 Scuba Safety Tips
- Scuba-Its All About Safety
- Lessons from the Koh Tao Open Water Diving Course: Part 1 – Equipment
- Scuba Diving - is it Safe
- Be A Great Scuba Diver: Oxygen Management
- Scuba Diving Computers Required
Strongest Legal Steroid For Basketball Players
By: Eldon Duffy | 16/11/2009Many weightlifters who fail to develop there muscles using bodybuilding supplements normally turn to using steroids as the next alternative. The only reason why anabolic steroids are manufactured is to enable muscle builders as well as sportsmen to extend there muscle growth. When a body-builder takes steroids there muscles may be able to grow faster and bigger compared against a person who is not on steroids. That is the good reason why steroids have become very popular among i...
The best Bodybuilding Physique
By: Carlos Wilkins | 16/11/2009Weightlifting is a particularly famous sport due to its capability to change the body physique of an individual. There are numerous people who are trying to gain mass as well as others who try to lose weight. If you want to develop a well toned body physique, you should try bodybuilding. Through weightlifting you will be able to transform you'll be able to change your body tremendously. The reason being because iron pumping needs you to try heavy training. You should also change y...
How To Develop Big Arm Muscles
By: Glenn Kirkland | 16/11/2009Every woman will tell you that nothing is better than a firm powerful arm. No wonder they find themselves always holding onto one, guys your personality only accounts to a small bit of this mystery! I will not target the sorts of routines to do but what I will be able to concentrate on is how to do them and get your arms bulging with well formed muscles. Your work doesn't start at the gymnasium ; which is a common myth about body building. If you're disciplined in your workin...
Golf Downswing - The Most Vital Move
By: Jana Chen | 16/11/2009Spinning your hips while failing to move the weight laterally, turning your right shoulder high toward the ball (if you are right hand person), moving the club head or slowing down the hands as you do the downswing are some of the grave problems that can ruin downswing move.
Golf Driving Tips That Will Help You
By: Jana Chen | 16/11/2009Whether you are a professional golfer or a learner, golf driving tips will help you join the list of famous world known golfers like Tiger Woods. Even though there are other important tips that you will be required to learn, a golf drive is more important than them. Why, the tips on making a golf drive will help you determine the kind of golf shots to make.
Golf Grip Instruction - Learning to Grip the Club
By: Jana Chen | 16/11/2009Golf grip instruction requires you to know what strategy you are going to apply on the first shot of the hole. You need to ask yourself if you want to make the ball go a long way and sacrifice some accuracy.
What Every Beginner Should Know About Body Building
By: Carlos Wilkins | 16/11/2009When you first begin to bodybuild, don't become overwhelmed. A workout plan is the first thing you should have when you begin bodybuilding. Planning ahead of time will ensure you get the results you want quickly. In fitness magazines, websites and books that can guide a beginner like you to make your own exercise routine plan, there are lots of information found. Consider what will help while at the gym. So what should you know when
Snooker Legends Tickets for UK Fan
By: johnmethos | 16/11/2009Jimmy White,Alex Higgins,John Parrott,Cliff Thorburn,John Virgo are the snooker legends. They play for their Country and got good achivements in the tournment. They are the real Snooker legends having all the abilities to win their matches.
Top 4 Dives In The Caribbean
By: Dianne Rein | 20/10/2008 | TravelThere are lots of great dive sites in the Caribbean, but which ones make it to the top of the list? We'll give you our opinion. We've done lots of diving all over the Caribbean, but these sites are the ones we still remember and compare all other dives to. Our...
Scuba Diving Wetsuit Guide: Find the Perfect One For You
By: Dianne Rein | 20/10/2008 | Sports & FitnessBuying a wetsuit can be somewhat confusing. There are many different styles, thicknesses, qualities and price ranges to choose from. Trying on a wetsuit isn't the most fun thing to do in the world either. However, it is a necessary evil if you want to keep warm on your dive. So with...
Aruba Scuba Diving - King of the Wrecks
By: Dianne Rein | 21/08/2008 | Sports & FitnessWhile Arbua may be better known for its beaches and casinos, it is also a good destination for the scuba diver. In fact, Aruba was voted the second best wreck diving in the Caribbean by Rodale's Scuba Diving Magazine in 2006. So if you like wrecks, you may want to...
All Inclusive Scuba Diving Vacations
By: Dianne Rein | 28/07/2008 | Sports & FitnessScuba diving vacations are a great escape from the everyday world. However, there are lots of options to choose from and they can get very expensive. You can book each portion of the trip separately, you can purchase a vacation package, you can stay on a liveaboard, stay at an all...
Scuba Diving in Ambergris Caye, Belize
By: Dianne Rein | 27/07/2008 | Sports & FitnessIf you've never been to Belize, a great spot to start is Ambergris Caye. It offers great diving and interesting topside attractions to keep you busy during those surface intervals. Ambergris Caye is the most popular spot in Belize for scuba diving. It offers a variety of diving such as reefs,...
Scuba Diving Certification: What You Need to Do Before You Go Looking For Nemo
By: Dianne Rein | 25/06/2008 | Sports & FitnessSo you are thinking about getting your scuba diving certification but aren't sure what it entails? We'll go through the details here. Scuba diving is a wonderful sport and you will be able to enjoy it for many years to come. There's nothing like floating effortlessly underwater and seeing all the...
Dive Computers: Types and Styles
By: Dianne Rein | 24/06/2008 | Sports & FitnessA scuba diving computer can be a divers best friend. It will allow you to stay down longer than if you were diving off of tables. There are many types and/or styles of dive computers you can choose from. Which one is best is really personal preference and is suited...