#diving tips

Planning a cave diving adventure can be an exhilarating experience for those who seek thrills beneath the surface. From selecting the right location to ensuring your equipment is up to par, careful planning is crucial to ensure a safe and enjoyable dive. Stats: Over 1,000 cave diving sites are available worldwide. Cave diving accidents are 1.5 times more likely to occur in poorly planned…

Tips for First Time Scuba Divers – Avoid Aquatic Awkwardness

No one likes to stand out or feel awkward in sports, especially me. If there were awards for awkwardness, I’m sure I would have a few by now. Maybe it is the elementary physical education classes where I farted while trying to do a sit up in front of the entire 6th grade that still haunts me, I dunno – it just isn’t fun to feel awkward. So when I took up the new, posh, sport of Scuba Diving I…

Whenever you take up a new pastime, one of the first and most important things to learn about is how to be safe.  Scuba diving is no different.  Because you’re entering an alien environment and using sophisticated gear to do so, there are certain rules and techniques intended to keep you intact and healthy.  While your training will teach you ways in which to think, act and react in order to avoid danger and injury, there are also a variety of items on the market designed with safety in mind.  The following examples can be beneficial and won’t cost you an arm and a leg (although some may save you one!):

Diver down flag – That symbol you’ve seen on countless cars and shirts is one of the most important items a diver can have.  Many states and countries make it mandatory to fly a red flag with a diagonal white stripe whenever a diver is in the water in order to warn vessels to steer clear of the area.  Keep in mind that if you travel overseas, you may need a blue and white “alfa” or “alpa” flag instead.

Dive knife – Some people think that a dive knife is only necessary for venturing into shark-infested waters, but it’s a handy item to have strapped on in case you get tangled up in an old net or rope.  And besides the obvious sharp edge it provides, a good, thick blade can serve as a pry bar if need be.

Rope and reel –  For those interested in cave and wreck diving, using a guide rope can help you avoid getting lost in dim and obscure surroundings.  It can also work well in murky open water or on night dives.

Dive rattle – Let’s say you need to get your dive buddy’s attention while underwater.  Since shouting or whistling is out of the question, it may be tricky if they’re  and looking elsewhere.  A rattle, however, offers a unique way to communicate without using your voice.

Surface signal devices – In the event that you become separated from your buddy or surface away from your boat, there a number of products that can assist others in locating you.  Signal whistles, mirrors and lights are handy and compact devices that can be clipped or pocketed on your BCD.  And a yellow or orange inflatable marker buoy is stored tightly rolled, but when released and blown into can extend to several feet and be seen from quite a distance.

With the right gear and training, diving can be as safe as any other sport or hobby.  So there’s no reason to sweat when you go and get wet!

Scuba diving can be an exciting sport. But it’s always important to remember safety first. One of those important rules to remember is the 5 steps to proper descents. It can be tempting for a diver to skip pre-dive checks and safety protocols in a rush to get underwater. However, taking the time to follow safety procedures is well worth a few extra moments on the surface. A proper five point descent takes only seconds and ensures that a diver is properly prepared before going underwater.

Common problems students have with this skill are: missing a step (i.e. not switching over to their regulator), not staying together as a buddy team or descending head first. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you and make sure you learn it properly and safely!  The first step of the five point descent is to signal to your dive buddy that you are ready to descend by making a thumbs down sign. This may seem obvious, but is important because verbal communication can be difficult or easily misunderstood.

The second step of the five point descent is orientation. Before you descend take a good look around and orientate yourself. Know where you are descending, what directions you intend to take once you’re down there, and where you intend to come up. If you get lost underwater, it will be far easier to regain your bearings on ascent if you’ve had a good look around the area before descending. Use your compass so that you always know which direction the exit point is.

The third step of the five point descent is to either exchange the snorkel for the regulator, or to confirm that each diver has his regulator in his mouth before continuing the descent. It’s always best practice when at the surface to keep your snorkel in and preserve air, but you wouldn’t want to descend without first replacing your snorkel with your regulator. Make sure that you have your air supply in place before you enter the underwater world. Snorkel mouthpieces feel almost identical to regulator mouthpieces, and it is not uncommon for a diver to accidentally descend breathing from their snorkel instead of their regulator.

The fourth step of the five point descent is time. The diver’s bottom time begins when they start their descent. Checking your timing device immediately before descent helps to keep this time as accurate as possible. Check your watches and make note of the time. It’s vitally important that you know how long you’ve been down so that you don’t exceed your planned dive times. After all being down longer than planned can be extremely dangerous, especially if the correct decompression stops aren’t made. You’ll also want to remember it for later when it comes to logging your dive.

The last step of the five point descent is to deflate the buoyancy compensator (BCD) and descend. Deflate the BCD just enough that you slowly begin to sink, and exhale to help yourself descend the first few feet. Equalizing your ears once on the surface before descent helps to prepare them for subsequent equalizations and helps to compensate for the initial (and most extreme) pressure change near the surface. Keep the BCD inflator at hand in order to add air to the BCD as you descend – you will need to compensate for your decrease in buoyancy as the water pressure around you increases. Now you have completed the five steps of a five point descent and you can enjoy your dive safely knowing you have prepared yourself well.

Of all the safety items and accoutrements used in scuba diving, one of the most important can’t be purchased, doesn’t come in a package and won’t fit into your pocket.  We are, of course, talking about your dive buddy.  He or she is the one who has your back under the waves, the person who can provide a helping hand (or air tank) if need be and make the difference between a good dive and bad one.

One of the basic tenets of buddy diving is to mutually agree upon a plan before heading into the water – where and how deep to go and how long to stay down, as well as who will be in the lead.  Yet even when the utmost care has been taken, separation from your buddy can occur.  And it’s not just possible in a wreck or a cave – low light or murky conditions in open water can increase the chances of two divers getting split up.  Even with good visibility, there are many things underwater that can distract you. If this happens, there are certain procedures you should take.

Don’t Panic – As in any emergency situation anywhere, the first rule is to remain calm.  Panic can easily lead to added confusion, and the rapid breathing that accompanies it will significantly deplete your air supply.  Losing your cool won’t help you or your buddy.

Look Around – Staying in one spot, slowly spin in a 360 degree turn while alternately looking up, down and ahead of you.  If you have a dive light turn it on or engage a noisemaker if you and your buddy have agreed to use one for signaling each other.

Surface –  If you cannot locate your buddy after a minute’s time, stop spinning and ascend to the surface at a safe pace as you would normally.  Also remember to perform your safety stop.  When you reach the surface, deploy a surface marker buoy (SMB) if you are carrying one and preform another 360 degree turn, taking care to look for surfacing air bubbles.  There’s a good chance that your buddy has followed the same procedures and will be visible.

Seek Help –  If you still do not see your buddy, return to your dive boat or shore and get help immediately.  You may be hesitant to trigger a full-on search by the authorities , but time is critical in such a situation.

Although separations cannot always be prevented, their likelihood can be decreased significantly with proper and clear planning and communication before and during a dive.  So do your part and be a good buddy!

Unlike many other pastimes, scuba diving is unique due to the fact that the participant is leaving his or her natural environment and entering a totally foreign realm.  Suspended in water, the diver has to learn a new way to move as well as breathe.  They will be subjected to natural forces such as currents, pressure and temperature and must be mindful of creatures and plants that can potentially cause harm.  Because of these factors, a diver needs to always be cognizant of what can go wrong and prepare for it.

While equipment plays a significant part in keeping the diver safe, good training is indispensable. And part of your training deals with preparing for a dive by executing a thorough check of your buddy’s gear.  Although this may seem strange, it’s been shown that divers often overlook problems and mistakes when just reviewing their own rigs.  By being responsible for someone else, you tend to be more careful.

This process is known as Begin With Review And Friends, or B.W.R.A.F.  The acronym is broken down into the following segments:

B stands for buoyancy control device, or BDC.  Make sure the straps are snug and not twisted, the tank is properly connected and all features are operating correctly.  This includes checking to see that the hose is connected, making sure inflation and deflation is possible (including the quick dumps), verifying that the inflation button doesn’t stick and that the mouthpiece is working.

W stands for weights.  If a diver has his weight within his BDC, his buddy must be familiar with the system.  If a harness is used, it should be checked to verify it is in working order.  A belt must be secure, the weights snug and amount appropriate, and able to be released by the diver with his or her right hand.

R stands for releases.  A diver must check all of his buddy’s to make sure they are secure and be able to undo them quickly.  Call out the location of each one as you check it – this will safeguard against possibly overlooking any.

A stands for air.  Make sure that hoses are free of any damage and check to see that the secondary regulator is attached to your buddy’s front within easy reach.  Verify that there is enough air for the dive and that both regulators are working.  Also make sure the air is fresh and does not have an unusual taste or smell to it.

F stands for final check.  See that all equipment needed for the dive is present and secured properly.  Check that hoses are secured and not dangling or out of place.  Once you complete the process,  have your buddy start his or her check on you.

By following this method, you can do much to ensure that your dive – and your buddy’s – is a success.