Top 5 Safety Tips for Divers of Any Experience Level
Exploring the ocean's depths never gets old, and the ability to enjoy the amazing visuals and bustling underwater life is something everyone should experience. With that said, scuba diving is still an art that requires divers to prioritize safety. The human body wasn't meant to exist in water, and there are plenty of things to keep in mind for even the most experienced scuba divers.
But never fear; the experts at Scubadelphia Diveseekers have formulated countless scuba diving certification classes, and our divers have years of experience navigating the ocean blue. Whether you're a diver of many years or just starting your quest, explore the top five safety tips for divers of all experience levels.
Breathe, Breathe, Breathe
One of the first things you'll learn from any diving instructor is never to hold your breath. Contrary to popular belief, holding your breath while diving is the one way to guarantee major organ damage and can even lead to fatal results. The air in your lungs will expand during an ascent and contract during a descent. The only way to ensure the air has a way of escaping is by breathing.
Plan Your Dive
Every single diver should plan their dive. No matter where you are, who you are, or how long you plan on diving, it's extremely irresponsible to dive without a plan. You and your dive buddy should both come to an agreement on these factors:
- Your maximum depth level
- Your maximum bottom time
- The level of diving gas you'll have to begin and end your descent
- A safety stop location
You should also practice ascending with enough air for both you and a partner in case one of you needs emergency air. Not only should you plan your dive accordingly, but it's also important to follow your dive plan as well. Let someone know where you are and when you'll be diving, and have a good idea of where you can receive medical treatment in a worst-case scenario.
Check Your Gear at All Times
The safety of your dive is strictly dependent on the condition of your gear. Make sure you and your buddy have quality gear that does its job. Plenty of training courses can help educate you on how to properly use your scuba gear. Learn how to use your integrated weights release and deploy your delayed surface marker buoy (DSMB).
Also, make sure you have enough equipment for unique dives or special environments, like caves or nighttime diving. Many diving accidents occur because of individuals who fail to understand how to properly use their gear, so understand how each piece of equipment you carry contributes to your survival.
Don't Exceed Your Limits
Scuba diving requires skills and knowledge that takes years to develop. Without it, you might find yourself exploring dive sites and open water areas you aren't familiar with or comfortable with. Caves and caverns require you to navigate different environments and depths, and inexperienced divers are one slip-up away from danger. There's a reason many deep dives need advanced certifications to complete. When in doubt, don't stretch your limits; if you have to avoid the dive entirely, don't hesitate to do so.
Don't Panic
Panicking is one of the most common causes of diver fatalities. Not only can panicking cause problems for you and your buddy, but you can make the situation ten times worse. There's a reason we harp on diver training and safety rules, as we don’t want you to find yourself in an uncomfortable situation without knowing what to do.
Rely on your diving skills and knowledge of the area to come to a reasonable conclusion. Practice safe ascents to ensure that nitrogen in your bloodstream doesn't lead to decompression sickness. Follow your guidelines and ask for help from your partner or someone else in the water. No matter the problem, panicking is the last thing any diver should resort to.
Prepare for Your Dive With Scubadelphia Diveseekers!
Always remember that no matter how experienced you are, the ocean rules all. There is so much that we have yet to uncover, and diving inherently is a risky art. Safety is important, and having proper training and experience is the best way to ensure safe scuba diving.
Whether you need training for certified divers or are new to the water and want to learn the basics, Scubadelphia Diveseekers is here to help. We want you to enjoy the beauty of the open water, but you should prioritize safety before anything else. Explore our training, professional certifications, and scuba-diving safety tips and tricks, and take advantage of all we have to offer divers, young and old.