Diving Safety
Know your diving destination
Before you get in the water, get the scoop on your diving destination. Find out all you can about water clarity, temperature and depths, as well as boating traffic and diving regulations. These factors affect what diving equipment you'll bring and help you plan your dive.
Is the water murky, or clear enough for a camera? Are there sunken boats or other must-see underwater structures? How far off shore, and how deep? How do the tides behave?
Search online for area dive shops and club contact information. Local divers can tell you what to expect and give you tips, like the GPS coordinates of an interesting wreck. Call for up-to-the-minute condition reports, even if you've recently visited the area. Conditions can change quickly, and having the latest details helps you plan a successful diving trip.
Dive safety basics
You've had a physical, you're certified and your diving equipment has passed inspection. For a safe, enjoyable dive, follow these additional tips, starting with two oft-repeated diver's sayings.
- Never dive beyond the depth of your experience. Don't try a dive you're not comfortable with, and stay out of wrecks and caves unless you've had professional instruction and are properly equipped.
- Plan your dive, and dive your plan. Know how far you'll descend and how long you'll be underwater. Use your dive computer—and your common sense.
- Always dive with a buddy. Before you enter the water, review hand signals and your diving plan. Review buddys gear, hand signals, and diving plan before entering the water.
- Never hold your breath. If your regulator comes out of your mouth, emit a tiny stream of bubbles until you get it back in.
- Equalize your ears on the way down.
- Ascend slowly.
- Be comfortable and confident in your basic skills before taking on the additional requirements of underwater photography.
- Stay alert to your environment, including marine life, weather conditions and boat traffic.
- Don't fly for 24 hours after a no-decompression dive.