Scuba diving is one of those activities that people often want to tick off their bucket list. While it is a safe activity, it is important to make sure of safety before taking the plunge. This article will guide you through 20 essential safety tips.
#1 Certified
It is mandatory to have an official diving license or a diving certificate before you dive. A few places will not allow you to plunge into the water without a recognized certificate or prior experience.
#2 Fitness
Fitness is of utmost importance. If you’re not feeling 100% confident, then it is better to back off. Practice yoga and swimming two months or at least a month prior to your scuba diving session.
#3 Diving School
It is important to dive with a professional diving school as they’re experts when it comes to safety of their clients. Also, choose the ones that speak your first language to ease the communication.
#4 Wounds
If you have open wounds or cuts in your body, make sure they’re covered thoroughly, to prevent infections especially in the coral reef areas.
#5 Insurance
Make sure you’re covered with insurance when you’re underwater which especially reads, “Scuba diving included”
#6 Breathing techniques
Breathing in such deep waters is intimidating. Hence, practice breathing techniques, and make sure you’re always breathing. Do not hold your breath.
#7 Hand signals
Since you cannot hear underwater, the instructors communicate via hand signals. Learn them properly.
#8 Double check gears
Before you descent into the waters, make sure all your equipment and safety gears works fine. #9 Bring a buddy
It is essential to be able to take care of yourself but having an extra pair of hands for safety hurts nobody.
#10 Pressure changes
Pressure changes drastically underwater hence it is vital to equalize your pressure now and then to prevent inner ear damage.
#11 Air Guage
Keep a check on the amount of air in your air gauge, which is your ultimate survival buddy when you’re inside the waters.
#12 Sharks
In case you come across sharks, do not panic because they’re generally harmless, and they pass the divers without causing an incident.
#13 Dive computer
Dive computer will assist you in keeping track of the time and lets you know how much time you have at each dive.
#14 Do not touch anything
Coral reefs and rocks could be poisonous. Hence, in the best safety of the diver and the squad, it is better to keep your hands off certain things.
#15 Attention
Since you cannot hear anybody’s voice, if you have to grab somebody’s attention, make noise with a tank banger by hitting against it.
#16 Slow
Keep it slow enough to enjoy the view around you and don’t give in to adrenaline rush. Relax and enjoy.
#17 Stay close
Do not swim away from the instructor or your buddy. Always stay in proximity to them
#18 Carry essentials
This includes the police, hospital and emergency numbers
#19 Safety stops
Do safety stops, especially if you’re diving deeper than 30 m
#20 regulator
Do not knock the regulator out of your mouth.